Atlanta has taken hit after hit this season, as Ronald Acuna Jr. Spencer Strider, and now Ozzie Albies are on the IL. The Braves received serviceable contributions from young players like Spencer Schwellenbach and Jarred Kelenic to fill the void. Now, Braves prospect Nacho Alvarez Jr. will look to fill the void of Albies. Atlanta summoned the 21-year-old shortstop, who will make his MLB debut on July 22.
A Look at Alvarez
Braves infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. didn’t crack MLB.com‘s top 250 prospect list in 2022 but still made a sizeable impression to be selected in the fifth round out of Riverside CC in California. Fast forward to today and Alvarez’s now become an intriguing piece to the Braves’ future.
Alvarez jumped up prospect boards after a strong 2023 campaign that saw him hit .284/.395/.391 with seven home runs and 31 extra-base hits with Rome (A+). Alvarez Jr. also swiped 16 bases. This season, Alvarez batted .293/.401/.417 (.818 OPS) with seven home runs over 76 games between Double and Triple-A, along with 20 extra-base hits and 21 stolen bases.
The 21-year-old Alvarez Jr. has a simple approach at the plate; it’s a flat, direct swing, and with fringe-average raw strength, don’t expect a ton of power (.124 ISO in 2024) but a lot of contact.
Alvarez posted a 15.6% K% in the Minors in 2024, which would rate as well above average should he maintain that at the MLB level.
However, what’s arguably Alvarez’s biggest asset is his ability to work counts and get on base. No player with 500+ plate appearances in the South Atlantic League had a higher BB% than Alvarez (13.2%) in 2023, and he averaged more than four pitches an at-bat. His peak potential could be an everyday leadoff hitter who gets on base in spades, especially if he can replicate numbers similar to his .401 OBP in 2024. But, he also has a high floor; someone who could be a bottom-of-the-order hitter who works counts and sets up for the top.
The Braves called Nacho Alvarez Jr. up on July 22, one of several moves made by Atlanta in the wake of Ozzie Albies‘ wrist injury. Atlanta also signed Whit Merrifield. Merrifield is a South Carolina native recently released by Philadelphia after signing with the Phillies during the offseason.
Analysis
The Braves will park Alvarez Jr. in the two-spot for his MLB debut, a move that should take advantage of his natural talents and fill holes in the Atlanta lineup. Ronald Acuna Jr. is done for 2024, while Albies is expected to miss eight weeks. That timeline would put Albies on a path to return in late September.
When Albies missed significant time in 2022, the Braves received strong contributions from now-Red Sox infielder Vaughn Grissom. Now, Atlanta will look towards another young infielder to fill Albies’ void.
Alvarez received strong reviews for his defense and is a contact-first, on-base machine. And, his promotion, coupled with the signing of Merrifield, should give Brian Snitker more options for the infield. The rookie infielder is a shortstop by trade and could see time there given the less-than-stellar numbers from Orlando Arcia. Arcia came into play on July 22 with a .577 OPS.
Fantasy Outlook
Fantasy baseball players who participate in leagues that take into account walks will want Alvarez Jr. He’s got a plus eye and that should translate to MLB success. However, those in traditional roto or H2H leagues need to know not to expect much power from Alvarez Jr. He may, though, be a nice find for runs scored.