Lately, New York Mets fans have been beginning to make the case the team needs to promote their top prospect sooner rather than later. Well, the fans wishes have been partially answered.
As first reported by Anthony DiComo of MLB and later confirmed by Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Francisco Álvarez will be promoted from Double-A Binghamton to Triple-A Syracuse. As noted by Tim Healey of Newsday, the promotion comes on the heels of Álvarez impressing while catching Max Scherzer in his rehab start.
Álvarez has impressed all season in Double-A, but he has been all the more impressive of late. In the month of June, Álvarez hit .286/.389/.681 with six doubles, 10 homers, and 24 RBI.
On the season, Álvarez has a 149 wRC+. Despite being the youngest player in the Eastern League, he is fourth in homers (18) and SLG (.553), tenth in doubles (16), and sixth in hits (70), runs (43), RBI (47) and OPS (.921).
As he has continued to perform, the accolades have been come pouring in from everywhere. Kiley McDaniel of ESPN called him the best prospect in the minors. His pitchers are raving about his improved work behind the plate. All told, he’s coming along further and faster than anticipated.
Despite that, the Mets have been reticent to promote him. Part of the reason is the fear they may be rushing him. This is not a departure for the Mets from a player development perspective.
Back in 2015, under Sandy Alderson, the Mets were very reluctant to promote Michael Conforto to the majors. While Alderson was the GM back then, he is the current president of baseball operations.
Despite the previous handling of top Mets prospects, the Mets have publicly acknowledged Álvarez is a special case meriting different handling. In fact, there have been rumors the Mets would be willing to call him up to the majors this season.
This promotion puts Álvarez one step closer. With him being in Syracuse, he’s arguably one injury or one hit streak away from finishing himself in the majors. Before that, he will have to continue to hit and progress behind the plate like he’s done in Binghamton.
