San Diego Padres call up hard-throwing RP prospect R.J. Alvarez
By Joel Burdeos
San Diego,CA- The San Diego Padres continued their September call-ups today by calling-up hard-throwing relief pitching prospect R.J. Alvarez from Double-A San Antonio.
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The Padres are calling up R.J. Alvarez now instead of next season, even though he didn’t have to be protected on the 40-man roster this off-season, because according to Corey Brock the Padres have been impressed by R.J. Alvarez and believe he could be part of the team’s bullpen next season.
The San Diego Padres acquired R.J. Alvarez, shortstop Jose Rondon, right-hander Elliot Morris and Angels top overall prospect second baseman Taylor Lindsey in a trade earlier this season for all-star closer Huston Street.
Alvarez could be the best piece in this trade. He was the Angels fourth best prospect and has been dominant this season with a 1.25 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 43.1 innings out of the bullpen in Double-A. R.J. Alvarez posses a mid-90s fastball and has a very good slider. He projects as a late-inning reliever or closer at the major league level and with the uncertain future of Joaquin Benoit, R.J. Alvarez could very well be the Padres future closer.
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R.J. Alvarez Scouting Report by MinorLeagueBall.com:
"Alvarez is a 6-1, 200 pound right-hander born June 8, 1991. He has overpowering stuff, featuring a 93-96 MPH fastball and a very good slider, reflected sabermetrically in outstanding K/IP ratios. Alvarez has two problems: erratic control, and high-effort mechanics that worry scouts. He has enough stuff to close if he can sharpen his command and should be at least an effective middle reliever if he avoids physical problems. – John Sickels"