Francisco Alvarez Called Up By Mets In Time For Pivotal MLB Stretch

The New York Mets are reportedly calling up top prospect Francisco Alvarez in time for their crucial three-game series against the Atlanta Braves.

The 20-year-old catcher is expected to be in line for playing time in the postseason, likely a move against left-handed pitchers according to sports scribe Daniel Alvarez.

Alvarez is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in all of baseball.

This season alone, he batted .260/.374/.511 with 27 home runs in 130 games split between the Double- and Triple-A levels.

Alvarez was ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect by R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports.

"Despite his youth, he hit .272/.388/.554 with 24 home runs across two levels in 2021. Part of Álvarez's season included a stint with the St. Lucie Mets. It was then that he posted the highest average exit velocity the league saw all season -- and that league included the likes of Jordan Walker, Anthony Volpe, and Austin Hendrick. It's rare to see such offensive potency from a young backstop who is certain to remain behind the plate," the sports scribe wrote.

Hence, his major league debut comes at an opportune time, touted as the biggest series of the year for the Mets.

The Mets lead the Braves by just a single game in the National League East standings.

Their upcoming game against Atlanta will determine who will take the division title.

The NL East winner will earn a first-round bye straight to the Division Series along with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL bracket.

The runner-up will have to play a best-of-three Wild Card series, most likely against the San Diego Padres.

Expected to lead the Braves this Friday night in the series-opener is Max Fried.

Hence, Alvarez will be put to the test against the left-handed pitcher.

The 20-year-old becomes another option for the Mets who have so far relied on Robinson Canó, Dominic Smith, J.D. Davis, Daniel Vogelbach and Darin Ruf throughout the summer.

"He knows he's talented, and he knows what he wants," Syracuse manager Kevin Boles said. "But he also has the right attitude and work ethic to get that done."