Mets Send Catcher Francisco Alvarez to Minors Amidst Struggles
PHILADELPHIA – The New York Mets have made a significant roster move, optioning catcher Francisco Alvarez, a player widely considered one of the organization’s key young talents, to Triple-A Syracuse. The decision, announced Sunday, June 22, wasn’t made lightly and followed weeks of careful evaluation by club officials monitoring the 23-year-old’s performance for signs of improvement.
While sending Alvarez down for the first time since spring 2023 could potentially impact his confidence, the Mets ultimately deemed the move necessary. As manager Carlos Mendoza explained, “It’s not an easy decision — it’s something that we do not take lightly… There’s a lot of potential there… We’re going to need him. Expect him to be back. But right now, we feel like it’s best for him to go down there and get reps.”
There was no single “tipping point” for the demotion; rather, it was a culmination of persistent inconsistency on both offense and defense. The Mets need to see better production across the board from the young backstop.
Offensive Woes: A Power Outage
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Alvarez’s struggles has been the near disappearance of his vaunted power, a tool he’s been known for since signing with the Mets as an international prospect in 2018. After hitting a robust 25 home runs as a 21-year-old rookie in 2023, he has managed just three this season through 138 plate appearances, contributing to a disappointing .236/.319/.333 slash line and a .652 OPS over 35 games. Even hitting a 452-foot home run the night before his demotion couldn’t mask the overall lack of consistent impact.
Alvarez attempted to overhaul his swing in the offseason to better cover the plate and use the entire field. However, a broken hamate bone suffered in spring training derailed his ability to fully adjust to these changes without the pressure of major league competition. While Mendoza maintains confidence that the swing adjustments will eventually pay off, he stressed the critical need for consistency at the plate.
Defensive Regression: Concerns Behind the Plate
Beyond his hitting struggles, Alvarez’s defense has also shown signs of regression. Pitch framing, specifically, has been a major area of concern internally; he ranks near the bottom of the league in this category, tying for 50th with -4 runs saved. His Catcher’s ERA (3.66) is notably higher than teammate Luis Torrens’s (2.79), despite Alvarez’s greater familiarity with the pitching staff.
Mendoza was direct when asked where Alvarez needs to improve defensively, stating, “Everything.” He specifically cited issues with “receiving and blocking,” areas he wants to see significant improvement in, even though he noted some progress in throwing out runners. Recent examples, such as failing to corral a wild pitch that allowed a run to score or throwing to the wrong base in a critical situation, highlight the defensive lapses.
While there has reportedly been internal debate among Mets coaches regarding the best approach to address his defensive issues – with some favoring traditional methods and others advocating for modern techniques like alternating stances and glove movements – there is universal agreement on Alvarez’s positive presence as a teammate and his dedication to improving.
Why Now? The Context of a Contender
The timing of the demotion reflects the Mets’ current status as a serious contender. The organization felt it could no longer afford to wait for Alvarez to work through his significant issues at the major league level, particularly when his struggles meant he was losing playing time to other catchers. Sending him to Syracuse ensures he gets the crucial daily playing time needed to refine both his hitting and defense away from the intense spotlight of the majors. This willingness to make tough decisions on young players for the team’s immediate needs echoes similar evaluations happening across the roster, including potential adjustments in the infield.
The Immediate Roster Impact
With Alvarez in Triple-A, Luis Torrens is expected to assume the primary catching duties. Torrens is highly valued for his defensive prowess, including his ability to handle the pitching staff effectively and deter opposing teams from stealing bases. While his offense (.232/.309/.344 slash line, .712 OPS earlier in the season) isn’t spectacular, it’s considered acceptable for a position where the Mets theoretically prioritize defense. Hayden Senger, who showed potential as a backup earlier in the season, has been recalled to serve in that role. The Mets are reportedly comfortable with this tandem and are not expected to pursue catching help on the trade market at this time.
What’s Next for Alvarez?
The duration of Alvarez’s stay in the minors is not fixed; his return to Queens hinges entirely on his ability to demonstrate consistent improvement in Syracuse, particularly in regaining his power stroke and shoring up his defense. The Mets need him to play every day and make adjustments. Both the team and the player know that the Mets are a better team when Francisco Alvarez is performing up to his significant potential. The hope is that this developmental assignment will provide the necessary environment for him to rediscover his form and contribute significantly later in the season.
