Pedro Alvarez

From SoSH

Pedro Manuel Alvarez (born February 6, 1987 in New York, NY), is the current leader for "the one that got away" title. Rated as the 102nd best prospect for the 2005 draft by Baseball America, he fell to the 14th round because of his commitment to Vanderbilt. He rejected the Sox's offers, thought to be close to $900,000 and enrolled at Vanderbilt.

Contents 1 Scouting Report 2 Amateur Career 2.1 Amateur Awards 3 Quotes 4 Trivia 5 External Links

Scouting Report

• Much like former teammate David Price a year ago, Alvarez has been labeled the favorite for the number one overall selection for several years now. He had a tremendous freshman season in which he slugged 22 home runs, and has hit a total of 49 home runs with 55 doubles in 723 collegiate at-bats between Vanderbilt and his summers playing for Team USA. He bats left-handed with incredible hand strength and bat speed that allows him to smoke the ball to all parts of the field with ease. While he draws his fair share of walks, his disciplined eye leads to him going deep into the count, which also leads to a high number of strikeouts. Some scouts are a little concerned with his overall athleticism, thinking he may have to move across the diamond to first base at some point in his career, but that shouldn’t be an issue for the next several years, as he shows good instincts at the hot corner and he makes strong and accurate throws. He is a middle-of-the-order run producer that could be a perennial All-Star. ~ Brewerfan.net

• Highly touted prospect with very high power potential. Slick fielder. Great baseball instincts, loves the game. Humble and intelligent. Good speed. Would have been a top pick, but is committed to Vanderbilt for 2005-06. Ranked as the #1 positional prospect (Northeast) in the 2005 Draft. May strictly play 3B professionally. ~ SoxProspects (Post High School)

Amateur Career

• In 2006, he slugged 22 homers, hit .329 and earned NCAA Freshman of the Year and First Team All-American honors [1], and is thought to be a front-runner for the top pick in the 2008 MLB draft. [2]

Amateur Awards

• 2005
  • 2005 Louisville Slugger All-American
  • 2005 Gatorade New York High School Player of the Year
  • 2005 Louisville Slugger New York High School Player of the Year
  • 2005 Perfect Game World Wood Bat Tourney MVP

• 2006
  • 2006 SEC Freshman of the Year
  • 2006 National Freshman of the Year by Baseball America
  • 2006 National Freshman of the Year by Collegiate Baseball
  • 2006 National Freshman of the Year by Rivals.com
  • 2006 First Team All-American

• 2007
  • 2007 First Team Preseason All-American
  • 2007 Baseball America First Team All-American
  • 2007 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association First Team All-American
  • 2007 American Baseball Coaches Association Second Team All-American

• 2008
  • 2008 First Team Preseason All-American

Quotes

• Vanderbilt Head Coach Tim Corbin

"I think he's the best third baseman in the country. He might be the best player in the country. He flashes five tools. He runs very well. He is a great teammate and cares about other people which goes a long way when you're talking about leadership."

• John Perrotto, Beaver County (Pa.) Times

"If and when Pedro Alvarez signs with the Pirates, he will automatically become the most hated player among fans since Dave Parker allowed himself to get woefully out of shape in the early 1980s and became the target of battery throwers in the outfield seats at Three Rivers Stadium."

• Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Pirates tell me Pedro Alvarez is a good player and a good kid. I'll take their word about his potential as a big-time slugging third baseman. But that good-kid business? I'm not buying it. Not now, anyway. Alvarez looks like a louse to me. A coward, too."

Trivia

• Nickname(s): El Toro and El Matatan
• Favorite Baseball Players: Manny Ramirez and Big Papi

External Links

• Pedro Alvarez - Minor League Information Courtesy of Sox Prospects

• Player Profile - Courtesy of Vanderbilt University
• Player Profile - Courtesy of Wikipedia