What begins Sunday is the start of something. What that ‘something’ is remains to be seen, but the sound of the ball off the bat is what brings Francisco Álvarez to the major leagues at the young age of 21, starting the final game against the Miami Marlins until September.
I’m double the rookie’s age and then some, so my memories of my time at that age aren’t the best. I was graduating college and making my first true life decisions while dealing with the previous ones. The choices and decisions I made then weren’t being scrutinized by millions of fans, but the aftereffects are just as real.
I really did drive cross country with a box of belongings and a dream. I really did have a pass to get to the radio tower and presumed safety from the fears of Y2K on December 31, 1999. And I really did go to Walla Walla, Washington with a West Coast college for a quiz team tournament. But I didn’t know all those things were going to happen when I first turned 21. It took a couple months before I saw those happenings as possibilities.
The possibility of Álvarez’s advancement has been just an injury away since being sent down in the last week of Spring Training. That came to fruition Friday when catcher Omar Narvaez was diagnosed with a medium-to-high left calf strain. This provides a six to eight week trial period for the top prospect to truly get his feet wet in Queens. Yes, Alvarez had 12 at bats during five games last September; but he didn’t have to converse with a translator in the locker room to speak with one of the starting pitchers.
This collection of starting pitchers are veterans and I hope Alvarez soaks up any and every bit of information expounded from starters like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Here’s hoping Tomas Nido continues his education from Port St. Lucie, as this is the likely platoon of the future, and Narvaez chips in wearing warmups doing rehab and joining the team in the dugout.
Alvarez has the benefit of 14 games behind the plate in Florida last month. But here’s hoping he uses selective memory syndrome - keeping the comrardiare created in the clubhouse but forget batting .107 (3 for 28). He’s already started on the latter, collecting four hits including two home runs in four games at Triple-AAA Syracuse.
It’s only April and amongst the numerous injuries already suffered, the Mets must turn to their prized prospect sooner than expected. He started with an opposite field RBI single, but flailed at off-speed pitches the rest of the day and committed a throwing error - the team’s first fielding error of the year. Alvarez debuting during the home opening series means I’m allowed to have all the hope in the world for his success and that’s the truth.
Upcoming Series: San Diego Padres at New York Mets
Monday, April 10 - 7:10 pm
Yu Darvish (0-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer (1-1, 6.35 ERA)
Tuesday, April 11 - 4:10 pm
Ryan Weathers (0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. David Peterson (0-1, 6.00 ERA)
Wednesday, April 12 - 1:10 pm
TBD vs. Tylor Megill (2-0, 1.64 ERA)
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