BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 47% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: New York Mets catcher/designated hitter Francisco Alvarez has drawn a lot of attention during the infant stages of his major-league career. Baseball's 2022 top prospect came up in Queens a bit earlier than expected back on April 7 when Omar Narvaez had to go on the injured list with a calf strain for an extended time, necessitating Alvarez's promotion.
The incumbent veteran's absence provided the rookie the opportunity to make a more lasting impression than the one he made amidst a barely-there stint very late in 2022 when he appeared overmatched in the bigs. Alvarez has certainly been impactful to varying degrees in 2023; he is averaging one home run per 11.7 at-bats.
How aggressive should fantasy managers be in adding Alvarez as his rostered percentage continues to fluctuate? Let’s see how he should be treated.
How Has Francisco Alvarez Fared Since His April Call-Up?
Like many big-league neophytes, Alvarez’s production has come in waves. There was a time early in the 21-year-old's promotion when it seemed he would only have a temporary stay on the contending Mets considering how slowly he was coming along with respect to his lofty expectations. Alvarez was hitting just .200 with a .506 OPS and one homer plus four RBI through his first 45 at-bats this year.
The slugging backstop then crushed it for a .322/.403/.763 triple-slash line with seven big flies and 15 RBI over his next 59 at-bats. Next, Alvarez took a mini tailspin, going just 1-for-14 from May 30 to June 6. His most recent string of play has seen him bounce back once again to an effective 5-for-22 span with four long balls and six RBI to cap off a volatile whirlwind of ebbs and flows for the youngster. Alvarez was tied for the MLB lead in four-baggers amongst catchers as of June 10.
Can Francisco Alvarez Maintain His Major-League Roster Spot?
Alvarez is not at risk of being sent down to the minors anytime soon. The Mets are going to need his big bat in the lineup especially with Pete Alonso (wrist) sidelined for multiple weeks.
An underachieving Mets start would serve as the outcry for an early-season youth movement in Queens. The risk of Alvarez potentially losing playing time continues to dramatically wane not only with vet Tomas Nido designated for assignment but also New York's inability to climb out of the rut that’s plagued them virtually all season. Their uneven campaign has them at 31-35 and losers of eight of their last nine games. If the downward spiral continues, New York is less likely to be a buyer at the upcoming trade deadline.
We recommend adding Alvarez in 12-team leagues while he’s still only rostered in about half of Yahoo leagues, but that endorsement could easily pertain to all leagues depending on team composition at a tough position to muster fantasy value out of. He has already been a top-five catcher in mixed-league roto value (min. 58 at-bats). Think of Alvarez as a Gary Sanchez clone from his early days with the New York Yankees. If you can tolerate the low average, the power prowess he flaunts bears league-winning upside.
More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
Hector Neris - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds (Week 4)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 46% of Leagues ANALYSIS: With the removal of Adbert Alzolay from the closer role for the Cubs after a fourth blown save already in the early going of 2024, an opportunity was created for another reliever to take over the job. Hector Neris was called upon... Read More
Hunter Goodman - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 5)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Colorado Rockies have promoted first base/outfield prospect Hunter Goodman from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. Infielder/outfielder Michael Toglia was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. It's been a massive start to the 2024 season for the 24-year-old who has slugged seven... Read More
Garrett Cleavinger - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 3% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Garrett Cleavinger recorded his second save in four days for the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to nail down the 7-5 victory over the Tigers. Cleavinger has been used as one of the team's closers ever since... Read More
Pete Crow-Armstrong - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 7% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Chicago Cubs have recalled center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong from Triple-A Iowa due to the rib fracture Cody Bellinger suffered while slamming into the outfield wall on Tuesday. It's the second recall in the young career of Crow-Armstrong after he debuted with a hitless... Read More
Yariel Rodriguez - Starting Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add only in dynasty leagues ROSTERED IN: 22% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Toronto Blue Jays were thrilled to land Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez to a five-year deal this offseason. They weren't the only club interested in his services after he showed immense potential while pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. The 27-year-old posted a... Read More
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!