Remember when prized pitching prospect Yadier Alvarez was one of the top rated pitching prospects in the Dodger’s system? Things change quickly for players these days. The Dodgers designated and then once Alvarez cleared waivers outrighted him to either Tulsa or Oklahoma City. The young right hander’s pitching career has been derailed due to massive control and personal problems. The Dodgers get to keep the hurler in their system and free up a 40-man roster spot. So it’s a win-win for the big club.
Alvarez has yet to reach the majors since the Dodger’s signed the right handed Cuban starter back in 2016. It appears that he may never reach the majors, although you never know. Alvarez has pitched four seasons in the minors, never appearing higher than double-A ball. Last season Alvarez pitched in only two games for Tulsa, allowing six runs on five hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. Overall Alvarez has a career 4.02 ERA and a 5.1 BB/9 rate after tossing 210.2 minor league frames.
Dave Roberts said Yadier Alvarez is shut down, getting tests done to determine why he couldn’t pitch yesterday.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 29, 2020
Yadier Alvarez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Minor League camp.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 2, 2020
It’s that unsightly walk rate that has kept Alvarez from advancing to the major leagues. Alvarez did pitch seven innings of one-run ball for the Arizona Rookie league while also posting a 4.66 ERA and striking out 9.7 hitters per nine back in 2018 for the Tulsa Dodgers while tallying 48.2 innings. Apparently he showed up to Dodgers spring training camp at Glendale but refused to pitch after not feeling well. Reports surfaced that he could be experiencing shoulder problems but the Dodgers aren’t sure what’s wrong with him. After that happened the Dodgers had enough and made the decision to designate him for assignment. It’s unclear if the 23-year old can get his career back on track but the Dodgers might feel that there is a chance that may happen if the young right hander can get healthy and work on his command.
He passed through waivers without anyone claiming him. Hard to give up on an arm like that. Hopefully they can put him somewhere with a coach he can connect with and see if they can straighten him out. Otherwise it is just 32 million down the tubes.
Ya know what they say sometimes…’waste not want not’.
Sports psychologist. I almost went into the field in college. Thought better of it. But I did a lot of reading and met a couple of visiting lecturers on campus. Fascinating stuff. There’s a lot to it, obviously. This kid has incredible talent. What’s blocking him? Get to him while he’s young enough to get it turned around.
I would guess that may be one reason why Dodgers after all is said and done are keeping him in the organization. and that took place simply because he cleared waivers.
Cueto vs Kersh today. Inching closer to the season every day. Not many battles taking place since the roster is close to being set anyway. Depending on when Joc actually sees some game action and how ready he is to start the season would mean something to a guy like Raley. Thomas, Raley, and Peters will be the starting 3 at OKC most likely. I would think that Kendall is going to be at AA. Amazing how far a prospect can fall. Ruiz getting minimal buzz this spring. I thought with a good showing he might give Barnes a fight, but right now Barnes is out hitting all of the catchers including Smith. Old friend Matt Kemp is not doing all that well in spring, and it looks like he is going to lose out to Matt Joyce for a roster spot on the Marlins.
The Dodgers passed on Yoan Moncada so that they could sign:
Yadier Alvarez, Ronny Brito, Oneal Cruz, Yusniel Diaz, Omar Estevez and Starling Heredia
This bothered me at the time. I seem to remember they were trying to get Yoan M. to take some type of structured deal instead of the max bonus. Depth I guess…Sigh…
He and some other young talent are now getting extended by their teams to fairly reasonable contracts. Yelich is going to be with the Brewers a while. I wish the Dodgers would at least try to get Belli to do something like that. It is notable that Keibert Ruiz is not getting as much press as he has in the past. He has yet to get a hit this spring, and Barnes at this point is playing better than Smith, who as of yet is not hitting all that well.
Michael, I mentioned similar in regards to Will Smith, Barnes and Ruiz on another blog and I agree because at this point Barnes may retrieve more of the starts at catcher if Smith continues to struggle offensively, I mean he looks bad struggling to even make contact.
He has been striking out too much that is for sure. Average is down around .100. He is in the lineup today. I am pretty sure he and Von Scoyac and Brown are making adjustments. He looks relaxed, but he also looks like he is being fooled a lot of the time, plus chasing pitches he has no shot of connecting with. Right now, even Jose Lobaton and Gale are playing better. But lets see if he perks up the last 2 weeks. Joc cleared for all baseball activities. Means he will see game action real soon. May is now throwing again too. Joc will most likely play in some minor league games first. Strip gets the start tonight, and looks like we will see Trienen for the first time.
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you,
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