Pittsburgh Pirates: Grading third baseman Pedro Alvarez
By Matt Shetler
One of the big reasons the Pittsburgh Pirates had the success that they did in 2013 was the performance of third baseman Pedro Alvarez.
“El Toro” built off of his successful 2012 season and had a big 2013 campaign in which he drove in 100 runs and tied for the National League lead in home runs.
Manager Clint Hurdle showed faith in Alvarez by playing him almost every day as Alvarez appeared in 152 games on the season. A couple years ago it looked as if Pedro’s name wouldn’t be able to be written in the lineup against southpaws, but while he still struggles against lefties, Alvarez has come a long way in that department as well.
Oct 7, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez (24) points skyward after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 8th inning in game four of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Alvarez was the Pirates only third baseman of note during the 2013 season, so let’s see how he graded out.
Pedro Alvarez- .233 AVG/ .296 OBP/ .473 SLG, 36 HR, 100 RBI
There was a lot to like about Pedro’s 2013, starting with the power numbers. His power stroke legitimized the Pirates lineup as he gave them that big bat who could change a game with one swing of the bat. It’s been a while since the Bucs have had that type of impact hitter and that’s what Alvarez has become- impactful.
It’s fun to watch Alvarez step to the plate because you know he is capable of something big every time he steps in the box.
You still have to deal with the slumps and the 186 strikeouts, but that’s what power hitters do and Alvarez has certainly become a legitimate power threat.
He still has a hole in his game against left-handing pitching, but even though he hit only .180 against southpaws, Alvarez made strides and put together some quality at bats and came through with some big knocks against left handers on the season.
He is what he is. Pedro is a guy who will strike out, go through slumps and struggle against southpaws. But in between he is a game-changer. One the Bucs should look to lock up long-term.
If there is a part of his game I was a little disappointed with, it is the .296 on-base percentage. Some of that is due to a slow April, but I’m sure that’s a number that he will work to improve as there may not be a harder worker wearing a Pirates uniform.
Defensively, while Alvarez led the team with 27 errors, his .941 fielding percentage was the best of his career. He has a knack for making the spectacular play look easy and with what he brings to the team offensively, I’m not concerned at all with the 27 miscues. Alvarez looks like a Gold Glove winner compared to what he was down at the hot corner his first two years in the league, so I feel his defense will continue to improve.
That’s the big thing for me, the improvement Alvarez has shown in every area of his game. Most times in the box, he gives a quality at bat. He’s still going to strike out, but Alvarez surely looks like a guy who has worked on his craft and belongs in the batter’s box in big situations.
Just ask the St. Louis Cardinals, as Alvarez almost single handily carried the Pirates to a series win.
At the end of the day, Andrew McCutchen may win the MVP, but this Pirates team doesn’t even sniff the postseason without Alvarez. Grade: A-