“Alvarez has a short, explosive stroke that produces above-average raw power, with the power translating in games,” we wrote about a 16-year-old Alvarez heading into the 2018 international signing period.
After signing with the Mets, Alvarez made a rousing pro debut in 2019 and quickly climbed onto the Top 100 Prospects, debuting at No. 67 in 2020. It has been all uphill from there.
Alvarez was one of just 20 minor leaguers to top 50 combined home runs in 2021 and 2022, and in the latter season he was voted best power prospect by Double-A Eastern League managers.
Alvarez is ready for the big stage. He was the only 20-year-old in MLB in 2022, a testament to his ability to handle what’s next.
Ranking the NL East farm systems after the 2022 season
New York Mets
No. 8 system
With Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty ranking as top 30 overall prospects, the Mets have two potential impact bats. The additions of 2022 first-rounders Kevin Parada and Jett Williams—along with the ascendance of Alex Ramirez to High-A at age 19—helped jolt the system into the top 10 in baseball.
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Washington Nationals
No. 14 system
The Nationals had one of the thinnest farm systems in the game in 2021, but recent draft classes combined with the fruits of the Juan Soto trade have restocked the cupboard. Washington’s top three prospects—outfielders James Wood, Robert Hassell III and Elijah Green—all joined the organization in 2022.
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Miami Marlins
No. 20 system
Righthander Eury Perez is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, while righty Max Meyer brought a supercharged changeup into 2022 before having Tommy John surgery. Miami added Louisiana State slugger Jacob Berry in the draft, but the system’s depth behind its top prospects is lacking.
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Philadelphia Phillies
No. 21 system
The Phillies have developed an interesting set of pitching prospects led by righthanders Andrew Painter, Mick Abel and Griff McGarry, but the system runs out of steam pretty quickly after that in terms of players who project as MLB regulars. Painter has the combination of stuff, poise and command rarely seen in teens.
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Atlanta Braves
No. 28 system
The Braves graduated impact rookies Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider and Vaughn Grissom in 2022. Now, the effects of those graduations and the international signing restrictions of past years have left the club with the thinnest system it has had since the mid 2010s. Nine of the Braves’ top 10 prospects are pitchers.
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