17 years. 17 long years of the New York Mets trying to find the answer at catcher. The Mets went through that position like the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets go through quarterbacks. Player after player after player. Veterans, prospects, castaways, guys out of their primes, you name it the Mets have brought them in to man that position. The reason? They couldn’t find a successor to a legend. Hall Of Famer and the greatest hitting catcher ever, Mike Piazza. From 1998-2005, Piazza was not only the guy behind the plate, but he was also the face of the Mets. During that time, if in the Bronx crosstown was Derek Jeter territory, Queens belonged to Piazza. The homerun-hitting catcher gave the Mets so many memorable moments for 8 years until the Mets let him go after the 2005 season. Since then, the Mets have tried to find a franchise catcher. Luckily for them, Francisco Alvarez answered the call.
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Have the New York Mets Finally Found a Catcher After 17 Years?
The names that have caught Mets pitchers over the past 17 years are ingrained in Mets fans’ minds. From Paul Lo Duca to Brian Schneider. Ramon Castro to Omir Santos. Josh Thole, Mike Nickeas, and Anthony Recker. Henry Blanco and Rod Barajas. Wilson Ramos to James McCann. However, the biggest disappointment of the bunch was Travis d’Arnaud. While d’Arnaud has carved out a solid career since leaving the Mets, including making the All-Star team in 2022, his Mets career saw offensive struggles and injuries. He was a top prospect that was supposed to be the answer, but he didn’t pan out. What Francisco Alvarez is now to the Mets, is what they hoped d’arnaud would be. The Mets signed Alvarez in July of 2018 as a 17-year-old international free agent. Five years later, now as a rookie, he is taking baseball by storm.
Francisco Alvarez Is Putting the New York Mets On His Back
In a 2023 Mets season filled with disappointments, Alvarez is one of the few exceptions. After being called up at the very end of the 2022 season and starting 2023 in Triple-A, Alvarez finally got the call back up to the big leagues after catcher Omar Narvaez went down with a leg injury. Alvarez would get off to a slow start, culminating in a poor at-bat in a big spot against the San Diego Padres. Striking out to closer Josh Hader. One month later against the Tampa Bay Rays, Alvarez would get a shot at redemption. Hitting a game-tying three-run home run in the bottom of the 9th inning with 2-outs.
FRANCISCO ÁLVAREZ HAS TIED THIS GAME WITH A 3-RUN HOMER! pic.twitter.com/WgNLx71Z4W
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 18, 2023
Two days later against the Cleveland Guardians, he came through again. This time hitting a game-tying single in the bottom of the 10th inning off Emmanuel Clase.
FRANCISCO ÁLVAREZ COMES THROUGH AND WE'RE TIED AGAIN!!!! pic.twitter.com/Rr7oy3bQ4U
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 20, 2023
This past Wednesday night in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks with the Mets down 1-0 with 2-outs and Álvarez on a 3-2 count, he put the team on his back once again, homering off Andrew Chafin to tie the game,
FRANCISCO ALVAREZ IN THE CLUTCH 🔥
The @Mets rookie goes deep for the third time in four games, and was HYPED going around the bases: pic.twitter.com/ek3NBFK7kX
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 6, 2023
This home run launched the Mets up from the brink of defeat into a big rally. Brett Baty would get a single and Mark Canha would drive him in with a triple, and the Mets won 2-1 in the desert. What’s an even crazier stat that has shown his clutch gene this season? As MLB’s Sarah Langs posted on her Twitter, with that home run Francisco Alvarez has five game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the 6ith inning or later. Giving him the most in all of baseball.
Francisco Alvarez now has 5 game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the 6th inning or later this season
THAT’S THE MOST IN MLB
HE IS A 21-YEAR-OLD ROOKIE CATCHER!! https://t.co/VY0FqXtb07
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 6, 2023
Francisco Alvarez’s Rookie Campaign and Still Room to Grow
So far, Alvarez has made his case to be the National League Rookie of the Year in 2023. Hitting 16 home runs, which currently leads all MLB catchers, and driving in 33 RBI on 45 hits. His defense, which was a flaw for him and still shows from time to time, has got a lot better the more games he’s played. The scary part is that he has not reached his full potential because it’s only 4 months into his first full big league season. As mentioned, his defense behind the plate still needs work but it’s getting better. His pitch framing has been very good. At the plate, his home runs are majestic, but he still needs to work on his approach and patience. It’s what made the home run against the Diamondbacks in the 9th inning even better. He was patient and worked a 3-2 count before the home run. It was a sign of growth compared to the player we saw get overmatched by Hader. Time will tell if he can be the Mets’ first true catcher since Piazza, but he is currently producing at the catcher position the likes the franchise hasn’t seen since the days when Piazza was launching home runs at Shea Stadium.
Main photo credits:
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Mike Piazza, Derek Jeter, Francisco Alvarez, Paul Lo Duca, Brian Schneider, Ramon Castro, Omir Santos, Josh Thole, Mike Nickeas, Anthony Recker, Henry Blanco, Rod Barajas, Wilson Ramos, James McCann, Travis d’Arnaud, Omar Narvaez, Josh Hader, Emmanuel Clase, Andrew Chafin, Brett Baty, Mark Canha,
