Sometimes, there are special players for whom traditional rules and thinking do not apply. During this season, it’s becoming readily apparent Francisco Álvarez is one of those players. Through his first 50 games with Double-A Binghamton, he’s hitting .275/.348/.549 with 14 doubles, 13 homers, and 33 RBI. That’s good for a 142 wRC+. Remember, he’s just 20 years old. He’s four years younger than league average and the youngest player in the Eastern League. Typically speaking, when you have a player like this, you begin debating as to when that player will reach the majors. However, Álvarez is a catcher, and they don’t make it to the majors at this age. Remember, Scott Boras pushed the Washington Nationals to draft Bryce Harper as an outfielder. In 2015, the Chicago Cubs moved Kyle Schwarber to left field. The Mets? Well, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the team isn’t ruling out promoting Álvarez to the majors this season. More than the rumors is what the Mets are saying themselves. Mets director of player development spoke with Greg Joyce of Post Sports+, and he said, “We’re going to treat him like the unique player he is.” Howard went on to say the Mets can’t ignore history with catchers. After all, as Joyce notes, there have only been three catchers in the Wild Card Era who have debuted before turning 21. That said Howard and the Mets recognize Álvarez is a “generational-type talent and a generational type personality.” As a result, the Mets are “not going to hold him back just based upon what has happened in the past.” Seeing what Howard has said, the recent rumors, the prospect reports, and Álvarez’s production, nothing is off the table. We can never well see Álvarez’s prediction he’ll make his debut this year come true. History may suggest otherwise, but then again, historically, we don’t see prospects like Álvarez.