Francisco Alvarez, the talented rookie catcher for the Mets, has had a roller-coaster season offensively. He started off slow in April but had an outstanding May. In June, he had a quieter month, but then exploded in July and was named NL Rookie of the Month. However, as August began, Alvarez’s performance declined with a .608 OPS. Manager Buck Showalter compared Alvarez’s performance to that of Pete Alonso and acknowledged that it’s a common path for young players.
Showalter, along with catching instructor Glenn Sherlock, has analyzed Alvarez’s playing time compared to his time in the minor leagues. They are aware of the importance of not overworking the young catcher. Despite the ups and downs, Alvarez has shown promise in his rookie season.
Alvarez has played in a significant number of games, ranking seventh in MLB in games caught. He joined the Mets on April 7 after Omar Narvaez’s injury. Now, Narvaez, who returned to the lineup on Sunday, may be the freshest player for the team during the summer months.
Showalter emphasized that Alvarez needs to gain experience and adjust to the increased playing time. The mental and emotional challenges of a full MLB season are important for young players to understand.
Sunday’s game saw Brandon Nimmo, who has been dealing with a sore left quadriceps, start in left field for the second time in the series. Showalter mentioned the possibility of keeping Nimmo in left field to explore other options for center field. Rafael Ortega started in center for that particular game. Showalter admitted that they currently lack a suitable replacement for Nimmo in center field, but they plan on him returning to that position next year and possibly even later this season.
Starling Marte, the veteran outfielder, won’t be activated from the injured list when he is eligible on Wednesday. He has been dealing with a right groin strain and received injections for the pain.
The Mets avoided being swept by the Braves on Sunday, which would have been the seventh time this season. The last time the Braves swept the Mets in a four-game series was in 2008, and they have never swept a four-game series in Queens.
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