Former Yankees infield prospect is thriving in Giants system

An early-season injury sidelined Alvarez for most of the first half of the season. However, Alvarez cruised through a short rehab stint in the Arizona Complex League before returning to Triple-A. Alvarez is hitting .331/.387/.504 with eight doubles, a triple, four home runs, 12 walks, and 22 strikeouts in 142 plate appearances in the minors this season. He also has a .389/.450/.500 triple-slash with as many walks as strikeouts against left-handed pitching.

Limited defensively, Alvarez has primarily played first and third base throughout his career. However, the Giants have begun experimenting with him at second base this season. Given the offensive struggles of San Francisco's current middle infielders, it's not out of the question that he could replace a scuffling David Villar.

Alvarez was drafted by the Yankees out of Eastern Kentucky back in 2016 and was never able to emerge as a top prospect in the Bronx Bombers' farm system. In fact, he never ranked among Baseball America's ranking of the organization's top 30 prospects.

Alvarez had a solid pro debut but struggled mightily in his first full season between Single-A and High-A. Still, the Yankees promoted him to Double-A in 2018, and he held his own in the pitcher-friendly Eastern League with a .262/.314/.440 triple-slash with 31 doubles and 11 home runs.

The Miami, Florida native continued to be a solid but unexceptional performer in the upper minors the following season, reaching Triple-A. Alvarez returned to Triple-A following the pandemic-canceled 2020 minor-league season, but he seemed to take a step forward last season. In 91 games, Alvarez hit .278/.319/.525 with a career-high 18 home runs. It's worth pointing out that the Yankees Triple-A affiliate is in a much more pitcher-friendly environment than the Pacific Coast League. Still, already 28, Alvarez's numbers were not impressive enough to be added to the 40-man roster.

Alvarez's advanced age and experience is an obvious reason to be skeptical of his performance. He's also limited defensively, having only primarily played first or third base (although he has begun playing second base this season). 

That said, the SF Giants have an open spot on the 40-man roster after designating reliever Mauricio Llovera for assignment and have a dearth of right-handed power right now. Alvarez has consistently been more productive against left-handed pitching throughout his career. Perhaps after all this time, Armando Alvarez could soon get his first big-league call.