Signed as an Amateur Free Agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 following his defection from Cuba, Yordan Alvarez was traded only 45 days later to Houston in a move that Dodgers management would come to regret.
“Air Yordan” did not need a long time to make it to the Majors, breaking the roster in June, 2019, and despite missing playing less than other rookies, he was the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year, belting 27 Home Runs in only 369 Plate Appearances with a Slash Line of .313/.412/.655. Alvarez was outstanding in that year’s World Series, batting .412 in their loss to Washington.
Alvarez only played in two Games in 2020 due to injury, but there were no side effects for Alvarez moving forward. Playing more at DH than in Outfield, Alvarez’s hitting skills were proven to remain upper-tier. Smacking 33 Home Runs with 104 RBIs, Alvarez had a .877 Slugging Percentage, and matched his Second Team All-MLB honor from his rookie year. The Astros went to the World Series, though lost to Atlanta, but Alvarez batted over .500 in the NLCS, winning the NLCS MVP.
In 2022, Alvarez continued his ascension, with 37 Home Runs, a .306 Batting Average and an OPS of 1.019. He won MLB 1 honors, went to his first All-Star Game, won the Silver Slugger and was third in MVP voting. Alvarez would this time be on the winning side of a World Series. Alvarez had another good 2023, adding his second All-Star, a third All-MLB 2, and his third straight 30 HR year.
While Alvarez's defense and speed are not strong, his bat is the most potent on a great club going into 2024.
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