It has been quite some time since Francisco Alvarez dawned the catcher's gear and squatted behind the plate.
On Friday, Alvarez was back at it for the first time since late-September when he subbed into the Mets' Grapefruit League game with the Washington Nationals to catch the final three innings.
“When I was in the cage, I couldn’t even concentrate on hitting because of how excited I was to go out there,” Alvarez told reporters through an interpreter.
The Mets have been playing it safe with Alvarez, their No. 1 ranked prospect, who underwent offseason ankle surgery. But after the first six spring training games, the top prospect was deemed ready to catch.
“His 'want-to' is off the charts,” manager Buck Showalter said.
The final stages of Alvarez's development behind the dish are refining his framing and receiving skills. This is something he has been working on with established veterans Tomas Nido and Omar Narvaez. With Narvaez set to go to the World Baseball Classic next week, this should give Alvarez plenty of chances to catch in Grapefruit League play.
“There are so many aspects of being a good defensive catcher,” Showalter said. “He’s come a long way. Part one of that is having them understand how important it is.”
The Mets won't use Alvarez, whose bat is likely big-league ready, as solely a DH. He won't be considered ready to contribute as an every day major leaguer until his catching skills are fully developed. Friday was a step in the right direction as he was back behind the dish for the first time since undergoing ankle surgery.
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