In any language, Alvarez is a hit
Wells set to hear it from Cole
PORT ST. LUCIE — Francisco Alvarez has set a high bar. The Mets’ young power-hitting catcher slugged 25 home runs as a rookie and drew high praise from the pitching staff. But maybe the most impressive feat is the one he accomplished Sunday at Clover Park: Speaking in English to a gaggle of reporters.
Alvarez has been working on his English since he moved to the United States in 2019 at 17 years old. He had translator Alan Suriel at his side in case h e neede d some clarification Sunday, but the 22-year-old needed little help. Starling Marte also conducted his media session in English, a first for the outfielder during his time with the Mets.
Alvarez has never lacked confidence, but it’s clear that he has it in abundance coming into his sophomore season.
“I feel more confident (in) myself,” Alvarez said. “But I feel like I have to keep working and keep improving, too.”
Public speaking isn’t for everyone. It’s not easy to have television cameras in your face even if you do speak the language. Alvarez learned English to be able to communicate with his teammates, especially the pitchers, and picked it up by watching shows on Netflix and listening to English music.
Pete Alonso took it upon himself to learn Spanish to be able to communicate with teammates. Kodai Senga has been studying English since he came to the United States more than a year ago, but has also picked up some Spanish from the three catchers he’s worked with, Alvarez (Venezuela), Omar Narvaez (Venezuela) and Tomas Nido (Puerto Rico).
Alvarez has not set any goals for himself other than helping the Mets reach the postseason, but he comes into camp hoping to control the running game better than he did last season, when he allowed 99 stolen bases. He threw out only 15 runners last year for a 13% rate.
“Last year I was not that good and I want to get better at that,” he said.
HOMETOWN HEROES
Infielder Zack Short is hoping for the opportunity to play for his childhood team. A Kingston, New York, native, Short grew up attending Yankee games with his mom but rooting for the Mets, the favored team of his dad’s side of the family.
His mother, Tracie, was a teacher and had time in the summer to take Short and his siblings to the Bronx for games. But his father, Wayne, a golf instructor, would leave Short notes in the morning about the Mets before he left for work, informing him of whether they won or lost the night prior.
The idea of putting on a Mets uniform and playing in front of friends and family at Citi Field is a surreal one, but the Sacred Heart product knows he has to play well enough to make the team out of camp. Joey Wendle currently projects to be the Mets’ utility infielder on Opening Day.
The Mets claimed Short off waivers from the Tigers in November, after the 28-year-old spent three seasons in the Detroit organization. He hit .174 with 13 home runs, 28 walks and 66 strikeouts in 177 major league games over parts of three seasons. He is out of minor-league options.
ROLE CALL
Sunday marked the official report date for position players. All players have reported, including injured infielder Ronny Mauricio, who has been receiving treatment on the minor-league side. However, he has a locker in the big-league clubhouse and skipper CarlosMendoza said he plans to have him on the major-league side this spring.
Brandon Nimmo reported to camp but was sent home with a stomach virus.
TAMPA – With Gerrit Cole in pursuit of the Cy Young, Austin Wells never caught the Yankees ace after debuting last September. Cole sets high standards for his catchers and there have been questions about Wells’ defense since the Yankees drafted him in 2020. But Yankee pitchers spoke highly of the 24-year-old’s receiving work last year.
On Sunday, Cole did the same after Wells caught him for the very first time.
“He’s been a good player for us ever since he’s come up,” Cole said following a bullpen session, noting that Wells’ composure, attention to detail, game-calling and game-planning have stood out. “Certainly, he’s a bright guy. So he’s got the tools.”
Cole added that Wells is ready to catch him in a game, something Aaron Boone is planning for this spring. Wells, still a rookie, and other catchers will get that opportunity with Jose Trevino expected to miss the first week or two of exhibition play due to a calf strain.
A six-time All-Star, Cole can be tough on his backstops. Ben Rortvedt learned that last year when he became Cole’s personal catcher once Trevino underwent wrist surgery. There where times when Cole barked at the 26-year-old from the mound, gave him an earful in the dugout and shook him off demonstratively.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
“When he sees something, he lets you know, which is awesome,” Rortvedt said last season.”
SOTO SIGHTING
With position players not required to report until today, Juan Soto made a brief pass through the Yankees’ clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Sunday.
Boone said he briefly spoke with the crown jewel of the Yankees’ offseason. He believed it was the first time he’s met Soto, though they’ve talked and texted since the Padres traded the slugger to the Bombers in December.
“I’m looking forward to having him over here tomorrow and start really getting to know him,” Boone said, “but it was good to see him.”
Boone also said that he will talk to Soto about playing some left field this season.