New York Post

Prospect Alvarez learning through watching McCann

- By GREG JOYCE

PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets arrived at spring training with championsh­ip aspiration­s, but their youth is also being served early in camp.

Catcher Francisco Alvarez, the organizati­on’s No. 2 prospect per MLB.com, is among the top talents taking in his first big-league camp, using the experience to watch and learn from James McCann.

“We haven’t been able to talk much, just because he’s been trying to learn all these new pitchers that are here,” Alvarez said through an interprete­r Sunday. “But I have learned a lot just from watching him and how he prepares himself and goes about his routine.”

The 19-year-old Alvarez, who is rated the No. 48 overall prospect by MLB.com and Baseball America, said his focus is currently on improving his defense after hitting .312 with a .916 OPS in his first pro season of rookie ball in 2019.

➤ One of the best offensive seasons of Albert Almora Jr.’s MLB career came with Chili Davis as his hitting coach. The Mets’ new outfielder is hoping their reunion can pay dividends this year.

“He kind of knows my swing, and he knows the adjustment­s I’ve been making this offseason, so I’m super excited,” Almora said.

➤ The Mets added RHP J.T. Ginn, their 2020 second-round pick who underwent Tommy John surgery last spring, to their spring training roster. … Veteran catcher Caleb Joseph, who signed a minor league contract with the Mets on Thursday, participat­ed in his first day of workouts Sunday.

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