| IP | 7 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 2.57 |
| WHIP | 1.29 |
| BB/9 | 5.14 |
| SO/9 | 11.57 |
- Full name Michael Andrew Alvarez
- Born 06/13/1999 in Anaheim, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Cal Poly
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Drafted in the 12th round (353rd overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2021 (signed for $125,000).
View Draft Report
Alvarez spent his first two seasons in Cal Poly’s bullpen before becoming its midweek starter in the abbreviated 2020 season. He became a member of the weekend rotation this spring and went 7-3, 4.08 with 81 strikeouts and 31 walks in 88.1 innings. Alvarez has some arm strength from the left side with a 90-91 mph fastball that touches 94 out of a casual, low-effort delivery. He sells his low-80s changeup well to get weak contact and swings and misses over the top from righthanded batters and his sweeping, upper-70s curveball handles lefties. Alvarez mixes his pitches and throws strikes with average control, but he doesn’t miss many bats. He mostly induces ground balls, and his success is reliant on the quality of the infield defense behind him. His three-pitch mix from the left side gives him a chance to be selected on the draft’s third day.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade: 40/Very High
Track Record: The Nationals selected Alvarez in the 12th round of the 2021 draft after the lefty had a breakout campaign as the member of Cal Poly’s weekend rotation. In his first full season in 2022, Alvarez struggled across both Low-A and High-A, pitching to a 5.00 ERA. However, his 2023 season was reminiscent of his senior season. He led the Nationals’ system with a 2.99 ERA and 129.1 innings while finishing second with 116 strikeouts. It was the first time since 2019 that a qualifying Nationals pitcher recorded a sub-3.00 ERA in a full-season minor league.
Scouting Report: Alvarez uses a funky lefthanded motion to deliver his 91 mph four-seam fastball. The pitch has below-average velocity but some slight cutting action to evade barrels. His two-seamer has some late sink and some armside life. Alvarez has a polished look and good feel for his arsenal, which includes an average curveball and a changeup that could develop into an average pitch. However, he is very much a “what you see is what you get” pitcher who does not project to develop more athleticism.
The Future: Alvarez was not added to the Nationals’ 40-man roster and went unselected in the Rule 5 draft. The lack of velocity is the biggest question mark in his game. If he can add some strength and velo, the Nationals could have a depth lefthander capable of long relief or spot starts.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45
