Here’s why the Mets called up Francisco Alvarez right now

The New York Mets are contacting up catcher Francisco Alvarez, who is the top-rated prospect in all of baseball per MLB Pipeline.

The New York Mets are calling up baseball’s prime prospect Francisco Alvarez, in accordance to a resource familiar with the circumstance, and he will be activated prior to Friday’s collection in opposition to the Atlanta Braves.

Alvarez will have a likelihood to lead suitable absent in the greatest collection of the 12 months so far for New York. The Mets have a a person-activity direct on the Braves moving into engage in on Friday. With a collection victory, the staff from Queens could assistance be certain an NL East division gain, and a warranty that they will not have to engage in in the Wild Card sequence.

Why did the Mets simply call up Francisco Alvarez now?

That is what helps make Alvarez’s marketing so attention-grabbing. The Mets could have promoted him months back, but alternatively chose to promote him with six video games remaining in the regular year. Why?

Alvarez, 20, originally struggled in Triple-A and has a career-worst 26.1 strikeout proportion. But for the duration of a new 35 at-bat stretch, he strike .371/.421/.686 with a 1.107 OPS, 3 residence runs and 10 RBI, bringing his slashline to .234/.382/.443 with a respectable .825 OPS.

Internally, the Mets had not dominated out calling up Alvarez at some stage this time, according to a source. With the Mets’ struggles at DH and in opposition to remaining-handed pitching, they believe that Alvarez can offer a late period raise.

Is Alvarez postseason suitable?

Sure.

Here’s how, through the MLB rulebook: “A participant who doesn’t meet explained criteria for postseason eligibility can nevertheless be extra to a team’s roster in the postseason via petition to the Commissioner’s Place of work if the player was in the business on Aug. 31 and is changing a person who is on the Hurt Record and has served the bare minimum total of time essential for activation.”

In which will Alvarez lead?

Search for Alvarez to lead as a designated hitter in opposition to left-handed pitchers. Given that getting acquired from the San Francisco Giants, Darin Ruf is hitting a mediocre .152/.216/.197 with a .413 OPS. Mark Vientos, another one particular of the team’s leading young prospective clients, is hitting just .143 with a .558 OPS in 33 plate appearances.

Since Aug. 3, the Mets have a .637 OPS from left-handers (24th in baseball) and 84 wRC+ (23rd).

Alvarez will get his initially take a look at on Saturday, as he’ll likely DH against Atlanta Braves still left-handed ace Max Fried in a significant collection that incredibly perfectly could choose the winner of the National League East.