Abe Alvarez
From SoSH
| Born: | October 17, 1982 |
| Birthplace: | Los Angeles, California |
| Height: | 6'3" |
| Weight: | 185 lbs |
| Bats: | Left |
| Throws: | Left |
| Drafted: | 2nd Round, 2003 |
| College: | Long Beach State |
| High School: | Fontana High School |
| ETA: | Mid-2007 |
Abraham Sanderson (Abe) Alvarez was born in Los Angeles, CA on October 17, 1982. He was selected by the Red Sox in the 2nd round of the 2003 amateur draft.
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Amateur Career
Alvarez attended Long Beach State University, compiling a 23-5 record and an ERA of 2.56 over 3 seasons. In 2001 he led the Big West Conference with 12 wins and ranked 2nd in ERA at 2.72. He was crowned Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year and was named 2nd-Team All-American by Baseball America. In 2002 Alvarez joined Team USA, making one start and appearing in 11 games total with a 1.93 ERA. 2003 was Alvarez's final and most successful year as an amateur. He began the year 10-0, finishing with a final record of 11-2 with a 2.35 ERA. He was again named Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year, as well as making Baseball America's All-American team. Baseball America went on to rank Alvarez as having the third-best command of all draft-eligible collegiate pitchers in 2003.
Professional Career
Alvarez signed with Boston on June 27, 2003. He was assigned to Lowell, where he pitched 19 innings without allowing an earned run. 2004 saw Alvarez promoted to Portland, where he would go on to win the Portland Pitcher of the Year Award, as well as making the Eastern League All-Star team. He finished the year with a 3.59 ERA, good for 7th in the league. Alvarez also made his major-league debut in 2004, called up on July 22 to start the first game of a doubleheader against Baltimore. He pitched 5 innings, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits and 5 walks. He struck out two, including his first major league batter in the person of David Newhan. In 2005 Alvarez moved up to Pawtucket, where he again made the All-Star team. He ended the year with 11 wins, tied for sixth in the league. He was called up for two stints with the big club, making two appearances out of the bullpen and allowing 4 ER in 2.1 innings.
Scouting Report
- Sox Prospects Scouting Report
- Tall and lanky lefty. Has been compared to Orel Hershiser and Jamie Moyer. Changes speeds well and hits his spots with consistency. Fastball isn't fantastic, topping out in the mid to high 80s, but throws all of his pitches with pinpoint control. Best changeup and command in the Sox farm system. Curveball needs some work. Very mature, knows what he needs to do to prepare for each game. Very focused.
Trivia
- Legally blind in his left eye. Because of this, he wears his hat lopsided (to lessen the light issues with that eye)
- Baseball America ranked him with the 3rd-best command of all draft-eligible college pitchers
- Baseball America's annual Best Tools survey following the 2005 season rated him as having the best control of any pitcher in the Red Sox organization
- Made his major league debut at the age of 21 years, 9 months and 5 days in 2004, the youngest Red Sox pitcher to make his major league debut as a starter since Jeff Sellers (21 years, 4 months, 4 days) on September 15, 1985
- Was the first Sox player to make the jump from Double-A to the majors since Casey Fossum in 2001.
Awards
- 2001 All-American College Baseball Second Team
- 2001 Big West Pitcher of the Year
- 2002 Member Team USA
- 2003 All-American College Baseball First Team
- 2003 Big West Pitcher of the Year
- 2004 Portland Sea Dogs Pitcher of the Year
- 2004 Portland Sea Dogs Most Valuable Pitcher (fan voting)
- 2004 Eastern League All-Star
- 2005 Pawtucket Red Sox Pitcher of the Year
- 2005 International League Pitcher of the Week (June 12, 2005)
- 2005 International League All-Star
External Links
- Abe Alvarez - Minor League Information Courtesy of Sox Prospects
