[LansdowneSt]

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

In his one year at Riverside City College, a two-year school in California, Alvarez hit .370/.494/.582 and won a state championship, but largely flew under the radar. The Braves noticed him and took him in the fifth round, giving him an over-slot bonus of $497,500 to join the organization. He’s continued to hit and get on base since signing, with a .406 on-base percentage entering 2024, with a defensive shift on the left side of the infield making him even more intriguing.

A right-handed hitter, Alvarez has very impressive bat-to-ball skills, striking out in just 17.4 percent of his plate appearances at age 20 in High-A in 2023. He has an advanced approach and draws plenty of walks (13.2 percent last year), giving him the chance to be a very good hitter with quick hands at the plate. He is capable of making hard contact, but he hits the ball on the ground too frequently, especially to his pull side. How he adjusts to better pitching and learns to drive the ball will determine his ultimate offensive profile.

A third baseman at Riverside, the Braves liked how Alvarez’s feet and hands worked, so even though he’s not a runner and has a thicker lower half, they wanted to see how he looked at shortstop. It’s turned out that he’s looked very good, even being mentioned as one of the best defenders in the Minors by executives from other teams. If he can stay there long-term, that increases his value and puts a little less pressure on him to become a run-producer, and there’s definitely an up arrow next to his name.

I'll get to the other two later. Amazin' still working with the pics I got to get something I'm happy with. You can post the next one while I work Mutz. On the other historical minor guys, still on the list.