Francisco Alvarez may finally be living up to top prospect billing for Mets

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez appeared to have put together a breakout season in 2025.

After incremental improvement between 2023 and 2024, Alvarez had arguably his best season in the majors. He posted a .256/.339/.447 batting line in his 277 plate appearances, hitting 11 homers and 12 doubles. Although he missed time due to a fractured hamate bone and a torn ligament in his right thumb, Alvarez appeared ready to live up to expectations and become an offensive force for the Mets.

However, Alvarez was unable to build off that strong showing at the start of the 2026 season. He posted a .241/.317/.393 batting line in his first 128 plate appearances, hitting four homers and five doubles. While that was respectable production, expectations were higher for the 24-year-old backstop.

Mets are getting a different Francisco Alvarez after injury

Any progress Alvarez made was seemingly derailed when he landed on the Injured List with a torn meniscus in his right knee. Instead, Alvarez has impressed since he returned on June 9, posting a .280/.333/.510 batting line with seven homers in his 108 plate appearances. He continued his strong showing in the first game after the All-Star Break, hitting a pair of home runs in the Mets' 4-1 victory on Thursday.

There are still a few concerns with Alvarez. He has only drawn seven walks since his return from the IL while striking out 33 times. His .350 batting average on balls in play is likely to be unsustainable. Nonetheless, Alvarez is tapping into his power and becoming a vital part of the lineup. For a Mets team searching for answers in a lost season, Alvarez may finally be turning into the power threat in the middle of their lineup that he was expected to be.