New York Mets Rookie Francisco Alvarez Leads Baseball in This Category

With the New York Mets down to their final strike against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night, rookie catcher Francisco Alvarez came up clutch.

Alvarez launched a pitch from reliever Andrew Chafin over the wall in right field to tie the game at 1-1.

The Baby @Mets with a flair for the dramatic. pic.twitter.com/AMb5qdlXDK
— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2023

Brett Baty then singled before Mark Canha drove him home with an RBI triple to give the Mets a lead they would not relinquish.

But it was Alvarez, who initially saved the day. For the second straight game, the top prospect delivered an important home run, as the day prior his two-run shot proved to be game-winning.

These heroic long balls have become the norm for Alvarez, who leads baseball in this category.

According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, Alvarez now has five game-tying or game-winning home runs in the sixth inning or later, which is the most in MLB.

Francisco Alvarez now has 5 game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the 6th inning or later this season

THAT’S THE MOST IN MLB

HE IS A 21-YEAR-OLD ROOKIE CATCHER!! https://t.co/VY0FqXtb07
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 6, 2023

Alvarez is still just 21-years-old, but his 15 homers also lead all catchers in the game as well.

Since being called up, the rookie is slashing .221/.276/.487 with a .763 OPS and 30 RBIs.

Not only has he been impactful with the bat, but his defense has been among league best, too.

In the same game, in which he hit the game-tying homer, Alvarez made a spectacular sliding play behind the backstop on a strikeout that got away. The youngster fired a one hopper to first from his knees to somehow get the runner.

Kodai Senga, Dirty 84mph Ghost Fork. 👻🍴

Crazy good throw by Alvarez. 😲 pic.twitter.com/clmftXTHHi
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 6, 2023

Alvarez is ranked 10th in framing, according to Baseball Savant. He also ranks 14th in Baseball Prospectus's catcher defensive metric.