Empire Sports Media · Feb 1, 2025
Mets’ rising catcher could explode onto the scene in 2025
Jul 31, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) follows through on an RBI ground out during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsThe New York Mets once saw Francisco Alvarez as one of the premier young power hitters at the catcher position. In 2023, he lived up to that hype, blasting 25 home runs with a wRC+ of 97—just a tick below the league average of 100. For a rookie backstop, that kind of power was eye-catching, a preview of what many believed would be an explosive offensive career. But baseball has a way of humbling even the most talented players.