A discussion about Francisco Alvarez's demotion to the minors...
Also - the Mets got smoked again by the Phillies and dropped their series at CBP
What’s up with the Mets? ⚾
The Mets dropped the rubber game with the Phillies on Sunday night by the score of 7-1 at Citizens Bank Park (Box)
LHP David Peterson started for the Mets and uncharacteristically got hit hard, surrendering five runs on six hits and three walks in four innings. He was hurt badly by 4th inning home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Edmundo Sosa
The Mets managed just three hits against Phillies’ starter Jesus Luzardo, who navigated the New York line-up with ease over 6.2 innings
Francisco Lindor homered in the 8th for the Mets only run of the night - the streak of the Mets winning in 28 straight games when Lindor homers ended on Sunday night, one short of the all-time record
Roster Moves 📰
C Francisco Alvarez optioned to Triple-A Syracuse
C Hayden Senger recalled from Triple-A Syracuse
Play of the Game 🌟
This game was scoreless heading into the bottom of the 4th when Kyle Schwarber led off the inning with a solo home run. The Phillies would add another run on an RBI hit by Otto Kemp, but the biggest play of this game came immediately after that. Edmundo Sosa crushed an opposite-field three-run blast that busted the game open and made the 4th inning not just damaging for the Mets, but disastrous.
Stats of the Day 📊
The Mets have now lost eight of their last nine games - they have hit .218/.284/.378 as a team and have scored 28 runs during that span. Meanwhile, they’ve allowed 62 runs and have a 6.37 ERA during this stretch
Down on the Farm 🌾
IF/OF Donovan Walton (Triple-A): 2-for-5, HR, RBI
1B Ryan Clifford (No. 6 Prospect, Double-A: 2-for-3, 3B, 2 BB, 2 R
LHP Jonathan Santucci (No. 11 Prospect, High-A): 5 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K
IF Colin Houck (No. 30 Prospect, Single-A): 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2B, 2 R
BOX SCORES
Low-A STL | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR
Today’s Game 🗓️
Match-up: Mets (46-32) vs Braves (35-41)
Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY
Starters: RHP Paul Blackburn (0-1, 6.92 ERA) vs. RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (5-4, 3.26 ERA)
When: 7:10 PM EDT
Where to Watch: WPIX
Let’s talk about Francisco Álvarez… ✍️
The Mets played a game on Sunday night—a rather important one by the way—but it’s arguable that the most noteworthy development of the day came long before first pitch.
Early Sunday morning, the Mets made a roster move that had long been rumored as a possibility, but still came as a bit of a shock when it came to fruition.
Starting catcher Francisco Alvarez was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, with minor league veteran Hayden Senger rejoining the big league team to serve as Luis Torrens’ back-up.
Not all that long ago, Alvarez was the top-ranked prospect in all of baseball. As a 21-year-old rookie in 2023, he slashed just .209/.284/.434 but flashed light tower power, crushing 25 long balls in only 382 at-bats.
The prevailing belief was that as he matured, he would become a better overall hitter, and when he did, with the power he already possessed, he’d be on a fast track towards superstardom.
That vision has hit some serious speed bumps.
A sprain thumb suffered in LA early in 2024 cost him multiple months, and while his average and OBP were higher than his rookie numbers, his power was diminished as he connected on only 11 home runs in 100 games. A nagging thumb injury could explain some of that, and the Mets had eyed 2025 as the year for his full breakout.
Instead, a broken hamate bone suffered when he was hit by a pitch in spring training put a serious damper on his season before it even began.
Since he was activated to make his ‘25 debut in late April, Alvarez has essentially looked like a shell of his former self.
Including his home run on Saturday night, he’s slashed just .236/.319/.333 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 35 games.
It’s been obvious to anyone following this team in 2025 that Torrens has been the better catcher on both sides of the ball, and for a while now, manager Carlos Mendoza had essentially had the duo sharing the catching duties.
Almost more concerning than his offensive struggles and nearly invisible power is the fact that Alvarez’s defense has really gone downhill from where it was in the past.
While some of this can be subjective due to circumstances, the Mets pitcher’s ERA is nearly a full run better with Torrens behind the plate (2.79) than Alvarez (3.66).
That difference is just too stark to ignore, and combined with the fact that Alvarez has also allowed four passed balls in addition to multiple other pitches he failed to block that were scored wild pitches, defense has been an issue as well.
The Mets clearly view this demotion as an opportunity for him to go down to Syracuse and have less pressure on him as he tries to get himself right on both sides of the ball.
In a perfect world, this will not be a prolonged period, and he’ll be back in a few weeks, but a lot of that will be up to Alvarez.
It’s time for him to show some increased maturity, not sulk, and simply go down, dominate, and prove he’s still the Mets catcher of the future.
In the interim, it means increased playing time for Torrens, who will obviously be getting the lion’s share of the work behind the plate for the time being.
Around the League 🚩
Parker Meadows blasted a three-run homer in the Tigers 9-3 drubbing of the Rays
Sandy Alcantara delivered a solid six innings and earned the win in Miami’s 5-3 home win over the Braves
Matt McLain’s first inning homer set the tone in the Reds 4-1 win in St. Louis
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s two run 8th inning double flipped the game in the Yankees favor as the Bombers outlasted the Orioles 4-2
It was the right move. He has not been the same player from year 1, offensively or defensively. Hopefully will be able to reset and get back to what he can do well to help the team. Clear your head and get back in the game
I hope some veterans were able to talk with Alvarez about this demotion.