The Mets still need a big bat in the middle of their lineup after letting Carlos Correa sign with the Twins amid medical concerns, and their top prospect believes he can be the one to provide that much-needed pop.
Francisco Alvarez, while talking to Venezuelan reporter Cesar Sequera Ramos that he sees himself as a lock to be on the team’s roster when the season begins in March.
“I am 100% sure that I will be on the Mets roster for Opening Day,” Alvarez said, via Ramos.
Alvarez, seen by many as the top prospect in baseball, is lauded for his offensive ability, but some wonder if his defense behind the plate is big-league ready. Well, Alvarez says it is, especially after talking with future Hall of Fame catchers like Yadier Molina and other big-league backstops like Robinson Chirinos.
“My defense is ready for the major leagues,” Alvarez said. “What the Mets asked me to do was improve my English so I could communicate with the entire pitching staff”
Max Scherzer pitched with Alvarez behind the plate during a rehab assignment last summer, and lauded the prospect’s in-game adjustments, while Jacob deGrom offered similar praise during a rehab assignment of his own with Syracuse. As for offensively, he was brought up late in the season while New York’s offense was lacking, but wasn’t able to find his ground so quickly. But he seems convinced that he will have a full season to settle into the majors in 2023, starting with Opening Day.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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