For those baseball fans in Washington Heights, aka Little DR, who still don't know Pedro Alvarez, they will have a chance to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates slugger in the 2013 Home Run Derby. Alvarez will be representing the Pirates, Pittsburghers, Dominicans and Washington Heights.
Alvarez was born in the Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. He lived in Washington Heights before making a lot of noise in Vanderbilt where he set records before being drafted in the first round, second pick overall, by the Pirates in 2008.
He's considered an "all or nothing" type of batter, meaning he's either going to crush the ball or strikeout. So far in his four-year MLB career, Alvarez has proved this is a fact. He impressed many his first season, in 2010, hitting 16 home runs and 64 RBI, including a couple of game-winning bombs. However, he posted a .256 batting average with 119 strikeouts in 386 plate appearances. In 1,555 plate appearances, Alvarez has 485 strikeouts and 73 home runs.
It was evident that Alvarez was going to be a crucial power hitter in a Pirates lineup that could use a couple of home runs. After spending time in the minors in 2011, Alvarez struggled to keep a role in the everyday lineup. However, he bounced back in 2012 ranking 10th in the majors with 30 home runs and 23rd with 85 RBI.
This season, it's been bomb after bomb as he's leading the surprising Pirates to victory. He's still striking out a lot, but that's simply part of his game. So far in 2013, Alvarez is well on his way to shatter his previous career highs, hitting 23 home runs with 60 RBI. He's tied fifth with three other players in home runs and 15th in RBI. The numbers earned him a spot in the 2013 N.L. All-Star team as a reserve and after Carlos Gonzalez pulled out of the Home Run Derby, Alvarez was chosen to fill his spot.
Alvarez was one of my picks for the 2013 Home Run Derby. It made too much sense. He's at home in New York and will have a chance to prove he's truly one of the game's best home run hitters. Let's look at Alvarez's hot zones and whoever is pitching to "El Toro" better make sure to hit these areas, which will allow the 26-year-old to put on a show.
Alvarez is hitting .297 with two home runs and nine RBI at Citi Field. He is no stranger to the long ball at the stadium in Queens.
