So much was made earlier this season when Francisco Lindor had more extra-base hits than singles that it’s fallen underneath the radar that another member of the 2023 Mets has that going on now, too. After Tuesday’s homer, Francisco Alvarez has 21 XBH and 20 singles. Maybe it’s the first name. Lindor has started to hit some more singles here lately. In his last 11 games, Lindor has 11 hits and seven of those have been singles. In that span, which covers 47 PA, he’s slashing .275/.362/.525 with a .267 BABIP. This is the kind of production we want to see from Lindor the rest of the season.
As for Alvarez, he’s given the club production that was sorely lacking from the catcher’s position last year. And while he just set a team record for HR by a rookie catcher, there’s still more production to be had from Alvarez. He’s still a bit too aggressive at the plate on occasion and will get himself out more times than he should. Plus, with a .216 BABIP, he’s due for some better luck with the hits falling in. It’s fairly common for catchers to have a lower BABIP than other position players, as they don’t tend to get many infield hits. This year, MLB has a .298 BABIP and catchers have combined for a .280 mark, so Alvarez is significantly beneath his position mates.
You can’t directly compare minor league BABIPs to major league ones. Still, Alvarez regularly put up marks in the .300s in the category while coming up. He should be much closer to the MLB catcher average than he is.
But that power that Alvarez has! Did you see Tuesday’s home run? There were six homers hit in the July 4th game and Alvarez’ went farther then all the rest. Statcast tracked it at 467 feet, a full 18 feet farther than the next longest homer in the game. In case you missed it, here it is:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1676352389832425472
The problem with the Mets is that they are not hitting doubles. The Mets are last in all of major league baseball in doubles with 114. They are not driving it into the gaps.
Here are how many some of the players have.
Alonso 7
Marte 7
McNeil 11
Nimmo 13
Alonso with seven is the most surprising. It’s home run or bust.
At 21 years of age, Alvarez has done nothing but impress. Sure, the average is a bit low, and he helps the pitchers with his overaggressiveness. Yeah, the mask issue and some pop ups are adventures. That stuff will come. The kid has massive power and is a bundle of energy. His defense has not only been adequate, it has impressed. Perhaps most of all, my biggest smile comes when he heads out to the mound, puts his arm around a pitcher multiple years older than himself, and discusses what’s necessary in his second language. It’s worth watching a muddling high paid team just to see him grow in a daily basis.
Alvarez is really impressive. Who cares if he hits .220. He is light years above Nido and is going to be this teams leader.
Hey,inquiring minds want to know. Is Vientos a trade chip? If he is will he be traded at the deadline?
Shane Bieber and any MLB relief pitcher on their active roster for Mauricio, Pham (or Cahna) and Vientos. Bieber wants a salary which Cohen can provide and their relief pitchers are 24-26 years old and also good. Vientos has no position and Mauricio would be the painful trade chip. Pham or Canha would help the Guardians immediately. The trade with also help the Mets now and in the future.