PORT STREET SEA — Francisco Alvarez stood in front of his locker Sunday with an interpreter by his side just in case, but he was determined to understand and answer questions from reporters in English.
When asked if he thought about next season in terms of how many home runs he could hit, the Mets catcher had a different answer.
“How many games can we win?” he said.
The 22-year-old Venezuelan will be tasked with a number of tasks, starting with handling a rebuilt pitching rotation and controlling opponents’ run games.
Next, on the offensive side of things, Alvarez showed last season as a rookie that he has the potential to shine as one of the best players at his position.
The Mets got more than expected last season from Alvarez, who originally wasn’t factored into much of their 2023 plans.
Now, the Mets are counting on him, and expectations are high.
“What I’ve seen is he’s really invested in his pitching staff,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s a player who continues to learn and continues to build relationships with pitchers and pitching coaches. Especially for a player his age, that drive to continue to get better is important.”
Alvarez was a newcomer in spring training last year, but was seen by Triple-A Syracuse as a player in need of more seasoning when the Mets were formulating their opening day roster.
However, just one week into the season, the Mets were left short-handed as Omar Narváez was placed on the disabled list with a strained left calf, necessitating Alvarez’s call-up.
The rookie broke out in May, and by the time Narvaez returned the following month, it was clear Alvarez was the better option for an underperforming team in need of a spark.
In an unstable season that saw major declines in June and August, Alvarez finished with a .209/.284/.437 batting average, 25 home runs, and 63 RBIs in 123 games.
Alvarez became the second catcher to hit at least 20 home runs and score at least 50 RBIs in his rookie season (Johnny Bench being the other).
But it was a season of adjustment for Alvarez, with a lot to absorb.
“In the minor leagues, there were times when I was playing and my mind wasn’t 100 percent focused on the game,” Alvarez said. “Last year I learned that I have to think 100 percent. I can’t think about my family or anything else. I have to think about the game every day.”
It was a lesson he learned playing regularly in the major leagues, he said.
Alvarez believes he needs to improve the way he throws.
Last season, he threw out 15 of 99 runners (13%) who attempted to steal bases. He had an MLB batting average of 19 percent.
To that end, Alvarez has been working on throwing from a more upright position this spring.
“Last year wasn’t very good, but… [throwing] So I want to get better,” Alvarez said. “I’m working on my transfer and how I move my feet, and I want to be able to throw with both feet up when throwing to second base. Last year I used one knee down, but it was a little difficult.”
Alvarez made it a point to work with Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander for most of last season, both pitchers being traded after the All-Star break, and said he learned from those aces.
“I think I’ll have a little more confidence in the other pitchers this year because Justin and Max are Hall of Fame pitchers,” Alvarez said.
The Mets still have Narváez as a reserve, but Alvarez will likely be in charge.
“It’s not easy to go up to the big leagues with such high expectations,” Mendoza said. “It’s very difficult to play in that position. We had a lot of veterans on the pitching staff, but he handled it really well.”
