Francisco Alvarez returned to the lineup Tuesday after getting two straight games off in an effort to help him recover from a slump that has been going on since late June.
Carlos Mendoza hoped the time off would allow the 22-year-old, who hit 25 homers a year ago but has been a disaster at the plate for much of this year, to “recharge.”
Alvarez singled and scored in a four-run eighth inning in the 7-2 victory over Boston at Cit Field, but before the game he acknowledged how difficult the struggles have been for him.
“I think this is the worst time of my career right now,” Alvarez said. “From the minor leagues to the major leagues this year and last year. The last two months have been the worst.”
It’s easy to see why, as Alvarez, who pitched ninth in the lineup Tuesday, has just seven extra-base hits, 50 strikeouts and a .495 OPS in his previous 49 games.
That contrasts with his first 15 games off the injured list in June, when he had eight extra-base hits and raised his season OPS to that point to .918.
Alvarez said he feels good, both with the thumb that sent him to injured reserve earlier in the season, as well as with his body in general.
“I’ve never felt better physically in September,” Alvarez said.
The results didn’t follow, although he did manage to hit a rocket to the right side of the infield on Tuesday.
Alvarez said he spent the two days out of training working on both batting and watching video and was confident he’d gotten back on track at the plate, where he hasn’t hit the ball as hard as he did a year ago and has also hit more ground balls and fewer fly balls than he did in his rookie season.
On the recent road trip, before giving Alvarez what he called a “mental break,” Mendoza said the catcher continues to be “our guy” behind the plate despite his lack of production.
“I know he believes in me and I believe in myself,” Alvarez said. “That’s the most important thing: I believe in my abilities.”
President of baseball operations David Stearns also supported Alvarez on Tuesday.
“Every player goes through it, and young players certainly do,” Stearns said. “Given the success Alvarez has had in his first major league season and the stretches of this year, it’s easy to forget how young this player is and how much we’ve asked of him as an organization, starting last year.”
Stearns highlighted Alvarez’s work on defense, where he’s tasked with getting the most out of a pitching staff that has mostly overachieved.
“What he does behind the plate, the attention and focus he gives to our pitchers and his leadership,” Stearns said. “That’s a lot for a young player. I think he’s handled most things very well. There’s going to be ups and downs and right now he’s going through a tough time. We’re very confident he (Alvarez) is going to come through this year and for years to come.”
Stearns added that the team had to be “careful” not to ask Alvarez to do too much.
In the meantime, Alvarez said he has tried not to let it affect other aspects of his game.
“I always try to be positive, even if I’m not doing well,” Alvarez said. “I try to be a good teammate, not show frustration. It’s a tough time for me, but I’m doing my best everywhere.”
New York Post
