- Full name Yadier Alavarez
- Born 03/07/1996 in Cuba
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Alvarez is a true pop-up player. He walked 35 in 31 innings in Cuba's national 18U league in 2014, didn't make the junior national team and never pitched in Serie Nacional. After arriving in the Dominican Republic, Alvarez's fastball shot up along with his stock, and while he remains a risky prospect with little track record, the Dodgers signed him in 2015 for $16 million. The total price tag will be $32 million once they pay a 100 percent overage tax for exceeding their bonus pool. Alvarez's upper-end velocity has jumped from 94 to 98 mph and ranged from 92-98 with enough life to get swings and misses in the zone. He has a skinny, athletic frame, generating velocity with excellent arm speed and a free-and-easy delivery, though his slight build creates durability questions. Alvarez flashes an above-average slider but it flattens out when his release point wanders. He has shown feel for a changeup, but he hasn't thrown the pitch much. While he's improved his control, it remains erratic and will be key to reaching his potential. Alvarez is a volatile stock whose value could swing wildly. Some scouts dream of a frontline starter, while others see a reliever with a lot of risk.
