Mets' Francisco Alvarez wants to change throwing from weakness to strength
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez during a spring training workout, Monday Feb. 12, 2024 in Port St. Lucie FL. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Twenty-two years old and among the better sluggers at his position, Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez was definitive in wanting to improve at least one aspect of his game: throwing the ball.
He did not excel in doing so last year, catching only 13% of would-be base-stealers. The major-league average was 19%.
“I want to get better with my throws,” Alvarez, who did register an above-average pop time, said Sunday. “Last year, it was not that good. I want to get better at that.”
His strategy to improve involves adjusting the position of his right (throwing) thumb and his feet when making that motion. He also plans to tweak his catching stance, switching from one knee down on the ground to both knees up — a traditional setup — when he sees a baserunner take off.
The other thing new for Alvarez this year is — somehow — even more confidence. He never has lacked in that department, but he said playing in the majors last year, catching all-time great pitchers such as Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander and getting along with teammates have made him more comfortable this go-around.
“He’s pretty young,” manager Carlos Mendoza said, “but he’s pretty mature as well.”
Speeeeech!
When the Mets gather as a full group for the first time Monday, the schedule will begin with a spring training tradition: a speech from the manager before the full-squad workout.
Mendoza, a rookie manager, said he has thought about that speech “a lot.”
“It’s important to set the tone right away,” he said. “I’m just going to be myself. Be authentic. I’ve done it before, but not at the big-league level, but I’ve been in rooms like that. I’m just going to be myself. I’m looking forward to it.”
Mendoza fan of Narvaez
Mendoza on backup catcher Omar Narvaez: “Narvy is going to play. He’s a big part of this team. Pitchers respect him. He’s a really good teammate. He went through a lot last year. I see them both [Narvaez and Alvarez] contributing to this team.”
Extra bases
Brandon Nimmo was sick and left the Mets’ facility wearing a mask by 9 a.m. Mendoza said he is questionable for Monday . . . Rain forced the Mets indoors for most of their workout, with several pitchers braving the elements to get their throwing in.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
