Francisco Alvarez is making headlines with his recent performance, catching the attention of the Mets.
The catcher, playing for Triple-A Syracuse, has launched six home runs in just four games, highlighting his developing skills behind the plate. Coach Carlos Mendoza mentioned that he’s been improving significantly, especially since he was called to this open-ended assignment.
Unlike when the Mets sent Luisangel Acuña to Syracuse last month, Mendoza noted that Alvarez hasn’t faced any such restrictions.
“Before we lost 5-2 to the Reds at Citi Field, Alvarez needed to get out there and play,” Mendoza remarked.
This uptick in Alvarez’s performance coincides with the limited offensive contribution from Lewis Torrens, who has taken on daily catching duties for the Mets.
Torrens began the day with a .593 OPS but managed to go 2-for-3 with a walk.
Nonetheless, the Mets aim to ensure that 23-year-old Alvarez is fully prepared before considering his return.
“We’ve been impressed by how he’s hitting the ball all over the field,” Mendoza said. “The feedback we’re receiving is really encouraging. His receiving skills, blocking, everything we expect from him is steadily improving.”
Meanwhile, Brooks Laurie made his season debut, pitching scorelessly for two strikeouts. The left-hander has been out of action for 14 months while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
“It was a typical Brooks Raleigh outing,” Mendoza described. “He was effective against both lefties and righties, so it was good to see him step up.”
Mendoza wrapped up a pre-game session by recognizing the retired jersey number of David Wright, reflecting on Wright’s impactful career and character.
“It’s a remarkable career, but what an incredible person,” Mendoza said about the former third baseman, sharing how special it was to connect with him during spring training last year. “Meeting David was a highlight for me; he’s so humble and genuine.”
