New season, more expectations from Mets catching prospect Francisco Alvarez
Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez during a spring training workout on Friday in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Francisco Alvarez has set a lofty standard for himself this season — much like last year, when he actually wound up accomplishing what he set out to do.
Asked what goals he has for 2023, Alvarez showed off his improved English-speaking ability (and comfort) in his answer.
“Champion,” the Mets’ top prospect said. “World Series champion.”
Well, then. And individually?
“Rookie of the Year,” he said.
That may seem extreme from a 21-year-old catcher who seems unlikely to make the Opening Day roster, but perhaps not as much when compared to what he wanted at this time last year.
Asked the same question then, he said he wanted to make it to the majors. That seemed highly improbable, considering his one full season of professional baseball had him in Class A. And yet he crushed Double-A pitching, did the same in Triple-A and earned a call-up to the majors in late September.
That cameo — 2-for-12 with a homer in five regular-season games — taught him lessons he’ll carry into this season.
“I learned to have more patience,” Alvarez said through an interpreter. “I learned to step back and take a deep breath. It’s not everything at 100% all the time because sometimes you can make mistakes that way. It was really to actually slow everything down so you can have the proper reaction time to what you’re doing.”
Sketchy on Senga
Days after pitcher Kodai Senga deferred to general manager Billy Eppler on a question regarding the Mets’ reported concern with his precontract physical, Eppler declined to elaborate, other than to say that after learning everything they learned, the Mets still were comfortable signing Senga to a five-year, $75 million contract.
“We have wording that the player has to pass the physical at the sole satisfaction of the club,” Eppler said. “We were satisfied with what we heard and what we were able to talk to him about and ultimately get worked out.”
The New York Post recently reported that Senga had “iffy” medical tests before finalizing his Mets deal. A source expressed worry to Newsday’s David Lennon about Senga’s elbow during another club’s pursuit of the pitcher.
Senga said that one reason he signed with the Mets was “how they approached that situation and how much they had confidence in me.” However, he declined to specify what he meant by “the situation.”
“Know that if there is a workplace injury, we’ll talk about the workplace injury,” Eppler said. “But if not, I’m not going to disclose anything.”
Change of plans
Outfielder Khalil Lee, under investigation by MLB for allegedly assaulting a former girlfriend, no longer will come to major league camp, Eppler said. He’ll instead report to minor league spring training March 2.
Eppler did not offer an explanation for the change but noted that he spoke with MLB, which said the Mets were allowed to make that decision.
First up
Lefthander Jose Quintana is ahead of the other starting pitchers because he will pitch in bigger games sooner, suiting up for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic. He tossed two innings of live batting practice against Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso and Brett Baty on Saturday; the others haven’t done that yet.
“There’s not many guys I’ve had that have come with a better reputation among people I’ve had in the past. He’s a consummate pro, very focused and engaging, welcoming,” manager Buck Showalter said.
“Jose is one of those guys that doesn’t need to tell you, he shows you. He’s not a big pounding-the-chest guy . . . He can drive the ball. He’s got a quick arm, a lot of late life. The ball gets on you.
“He’s one of those guys who is pitching in the second or third inning and not wowing you. All of a sudden, you look up and he’s still in the game in the sixth inning, seventh inning.”
Notable & quotable
Showalter, amid a tangent about how good the “daunting” NL East is, mentioned Sean Murphy: “Atlanta adding a catcher — that one stung. I don’t think people realize how good he is.”
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
