Eastern League All-star Henderson Alvarez has become one of Toronto's top pitching prospects. The right-handed fire baller, who has reached 101 MPH with his fastball this season, has been solid since joining the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in May. Through 13 games, the Venezuelan born Alvarez has posted a 6-4 record with a 2.84 ERA.
Prior to his promotion, the 21-year-old Alvarez wasn't as sharp, going 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 2 starts with Class A Advanced Dunedin.
Since signing with Toronto in 2006, Alvarez has progressed steadily upward in the Toronto developmental ranks. After pitching in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2007, Alvarez pitched for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays in 2008. That year, the 6-foot-1-inch 200-pound Alvarez produced a 1-4 record in 12 games (11 starts) and a 5.63 ERA. In 2009, Alvarez took great strides, posting a 9-6 record and a 3.47 ERA in 23 starts for Class A Lansing. Then, in 2010, Alvarez earned recognition as a Florida State League All-star with Dunedin. He sported an 8-7 record and a 4.33 ERA in 23 games (21 starts) over the full season.
With an electric fastball and developing command of his secondary pitches, a slider and a change up, Alvarez appears to have a bright future.
Check out the media player below for footage of Alvarez's mechanics while he warms up, prior to a recent start.
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Follow 1BlueJaysWay on Twitter for updates, insight and stats by clicking HERE.
Showing posts with label Henderson Alvarez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Henderson Alvarez. Show all posts
2011-07-27
2011-07-13
Fisher Cats Hosting Eastern League All-star Game
On Wednesday night in Manchester, NH, the Double A affiliate of the Blue Jays, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats will host the Eastern League's All-star Game at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.
The 2011 Eastern League All-star Game will feature the top prospects from the Western Division (Erie, Altoona, Akron, Bowie, Richmond and Harrisburg) taking on the best from the Eastern Division (New Britain, Portland, New Hampshire, Binghamton and Trenton). Each team is comprised of 24 players, with all of the league's teams being represented by at least 1 pitcher and 1 offensive player.
Also included in the All-star festivities will be a pre-game homerun derby which will feature two Fisher Cats All-stars, outfielder Moises Sierra and switch-hitting first baseman Mike McDade. First place in the homerun derby wins $1,000 and second place is awarded $500, so the drive will certainly be there for the participants to put on a good show.
New Hampshire skipper Sal Fasano, who will manage the Eastern Division team was pleased with his clubs collection of players that were named to play in this year's exhibition match up in front of their home fans, especially his derby participating sluggers.
"McDade's had a heck of a first half," Fasano said in an exclusive interview. "He's probably been our most consistent hitter. He just keeps improving daily. It's fun to see him get a little bit of notoriety, because he's kind of worked his way into prospecthood. He wasn't a highly touted guy, but he keeps producing every year."
"Sierra, he's been hitting behind (McDade) for the whole year and so if they didn't pitch to 'Mac', then Mo made them pay," Fasano added. "Defensively he's been playing great too. He's been a pleasure, because he plays with such youthful enthusiasm. He really loves to play."
Other New Hampshire players honored as All-star were shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, catcher Travis d'Arnaud as well as pitchers Henderson Alvarez and Joel Carreno. Additionally, righty pitcher Zach Stewart, who made a few starts at the big league level with the Blue Jays in June, was added to the Eastern Division roster last week to fill the spot of Alvarez, who will attend the event but will be unavailable to pitch.
Current Blue Jays that have played in the EL All-Star game include Travis Snider, Adam Lind and Aaron Hill.
Game time is 7:05 PM and the game can be heard on the Fisher Cats' radio home WGIR.
More notes-
On Hechavarria, Fasano says: "Hech is about as good a shortstop as you'll ever see, probably in your lifetime. He's pretty good. He keeps learning how to hit. He's taking better passes and stuff.
Asked how close he thinks Hechavarria is to the Majors, Fasano said: "He could go to the big leagues tomorrow. I mean, he's that good defensively. It's just whether he could produce, or not, offensively. He's still got a lot to learn about the game, but the more games he plays, the better it is."
On d'Arnaud, Fasano says: "d'Arnaud, he's had his good, he's had his bad. He battled a concussion early (this season), but he's proved enough."
Fasano on Carreno: "Carreno had probably the worst four most miserable starts that you probably could have (to begin the season). His ERA was up at 9, he gave up a lot of homeruns- he gave up 8 homeruns in his first four starts. And if you take those four starts out of the equation, he's been unbelievable. He's just been outstanding, he gives us a chance to win every time out."
On Carreno's improvements: "For him, he got beat up enough that he finally put his foot down and said, 'No! That's it! I'm gonna learn to make an adjustment at this level.' And he did."
Fasano on Alvarez: "Henderson is probably our most highly touted pitching prospect and he's touched 101 (MPH) this season, so he's got some kind of arm."
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Follow 1BlueJaysWay on Twitter for updates, stats and insight by clicking HERE.
The 2011 Eastern League All-star Game will feature the top prospects from the Western Division (Erie, Altoona, Akron, Bowie, Richmond and Harrisburg) taking on the best from the Eastern Division (New Britain, Portland, New Hampshire, Binghamton and Trenton). Each team is comprised of 24 players, with all of the league's teams being represented by at least 1 pitcher and 1 offensive player.
Also included in the All-star festivities will be a pre-game homerun derby which will feature two Fisher Cats All-stars, outfielder Moises Sierra and switch-hitting first baseman Mike McDade. First place in the homerun derby wins $1,000 and second place is awarded $500, so the drive will certainly be there for the participants to put on a good show.
New Hampshire skipper Sal Fasano, who will manage the Eastern Division team was pleased with his clubs collection of players that were named to play in this year's exhibition match up in front of their home fans, especially his derby participating sluggers."McDade's had a heck of a first half," Fasano said in an exclusive interview. "He's probably been our most consistent hitter. He just keeps improving daily. It's fun to see him get a little bit of notoriety, because he's kind of worked his way into prospecthood. He wasn't a highly touted guy, but he keeps producing every year."
"Sierra, he's been hitting behind (McDade) for the whole year and so if they didn't pitch to 'Mac', then Mo made them pay," Fasano added. "Defensively he's been playing great too. He's been a pleasure, because he plays with such youthful enthusiasm. He really loves to play."
Other New Hampshire players honored as All-star were shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, catcher Travis d'Arnaud as well as pitchers Henderson Alvarez and Joel Carreno. Additionally, righty pitcher Zach Stewart, who made a few starts at the big league level with the Blue Jays in June, was added to the Eastern Division roster last week to fill the spot of Alvarez, who will attend the event but will be unavailable to pitch.
Current Blue Jays that have played in the EL All-Star game include Travis Snider, Adam Lind and Aaron Hill.
Game time is 7:05 PM and the game can be heard on the Fisher Cats' radio home WGIR.
More notes-
On Hechavarria, Fasano says: "Hech is about as good a shortstop as you'll ever see, probably in your lifetime. He's pretty good. He keeps learning how to hit. He's taking better passes and stuff.
Asked how close he thinks Hechavarria is to the Majors, Fasano said: "He could go to the big leagues tomorrow. I mean, he's that good defensively. It's just whether he could produce, or not, offensively. He's still got a lot to learn about the game, but the more games he plays, the better it is."
On d'Arnaud, Fasano says: "d'Arnaud, he's had his good, he's had his bad. He battled a concussion early (this season), but he's proved enough."
Fasano on Carreno: "Carreno had probably the worst four most miserable starts that you probably could have (to begin the season). His ERA was up at 9, he gave up a lot of homeruns- he gave up 8 homeruns in his first four starts. And if you take those four starts out of the equation, he's been unbelievable. He's just been outstanding, he gives us a chance to win every time out."
On Carreno's improvements: "For him, he got beat up enough that he finally put his foot down and said, 'No! That's it! I'm gonna learn to make an adjustment at this level.' And he did."
Fasano on Alvarez: "Henderson is probably our most highly touted pitching prospect and he's touched 101 (MPH) this season, so he's got some kind of arm."
_________________________________________
Follow 1BlueJaysWay on Twitter for updates, stats and insight by clicking HERE.
2011-06-06
NH Pitching Coach Pete Walker Speaks on Alvarez & Stewart
The Double A level New Hampshire Fisher Cats have a pair of pitching prospects that plenty of folks around the Blue Jays organization should be excited about.
Righty hurler Henderson Alvarez, a Venezuelan product, has been turning heads through just four starts with the Fisher Cats. Despite taking his first loss at the Double A level on Sunday, against division rival Trenton, Alvarez made a big impression with his fastball, regularly reaching 96-98 MPH and hitting 101 MPH on the gun at least one time.
Through 4 starts with New Hampshire, the 21-year-old Alvarez has posted a 2-1 record with a 3.22 ERA with a .256 batting average against.
Another right-hander impressing people is Zach Stewart, who was acquired by Toronto from Cincinnati in the 2009 Scott Rolen trade. In 11 starts the season for the Fisher Cats, Stewart has posted a 3-3 record with a 4.66 ERA.
Remove Stewart's worst start (an outing at Portland on May 23, when he allowed 7 earned runs in 4 innings pitched) and his output this season is a much improved 3-2 record with a 3.92 ERA.
Stewart, a 24-year-old that many feel could be in the Majors next season, regularly throws his fastball in the low-to-mid 90's.
Recently, I spoke with New Hampshire Fisher Cats pitching coach and former Blue Jays pitcher Pete Walker about both of these pitching prospects. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview.
_______________________________________
Be sure to follow 1BJW on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Righty hurler Henderson Alvarez, a Venezuelan product, has been turning heads through just four starts with the Fisher Cats. Despite taking his first loss at the Double A level on Sunday, against division rival Trenton, Alvarez made a big impression with his fastball, regularly reaching 96-98 MPH and hitting 101 MPH on the gun at least one time.
Through 4 starts with New Hampshire, the 21-year-old Alvarez has posted a 2-1 record with a 3.22 ERA with a .256 batting average against.
Another right-hander impressing people is Zach Stewart, who was acquired by Toronto from Cincinnati in the 2009 Scott Rolen trade. In 11 starts the season for the Fisher Cats, Stewart has posted a 3-3 record with a 4.66 ERA.
Remove Stewart's worst start (an outing at Portland on May 23, when he allowed 7 earned runs in 4 innings pitched) and his output this season is a much improved 3-2 record with a 3.92 ERA.
Stewart, a 24-year-old that many feel could be in the Majors next season, regularly throws his fastball in the low-to-mid 90's.
Recently, I spoke with New Hampshire Fisher Cats pitching coach and former Blue Jays pitcher Pete Walker about both of these pitching prospects. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview.
_______________________________________
Be sure to follow 1BJW on Twitter by clicking HERE.
2011-06-05
Fisher Cats' Alvarez Sizzles Despite Loss
In an area behind home plate populated by pitchers who were charting pitches for both teams, disbelief took over in the 2nd inning, as the likes of Kei Igawa, Zach Stewart, Rey Gonzalez and others all looked at one another to confirm what the radar guns some of them were holding had just displayed.
Making his 4th Class AA start for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 21-year-old Henderson Alvarez had his electric fastball register at 101 MPH. It may have been his fastest pitch of the day (others reach 96-98 MPH, but cracking 100 wasn't a regular occurrence) and the impact of Alvarez's fastball definitely missed the 4,707 in attendance at Trenton's Waterfront Park, as the facility is not equipped to post such data for the paying crowd to see, but plenty of folks have started to take notice of the right-handed Venezuela native anyway.
Alvarez, who stands 6-feet-1-inch tall and weighs 195 pounds, gave up 5 runs in the opening 2 frames of Sunday's contest against Eastern League East Division rivals the Yankees affiliate Trenton Thunder. After serving up a 2-RBI single to designated hitter Cody Johnson in the home half of the second inning, Alvarez settled down considerably, retiring 8 straight Thunder batters, before a single by Johnson in the 5th and a rising pitch count forced Fisher Cats manager Sal Fasano to make a call to the bullpen.
On the day, Alvarez took the loss, allowing 5 earned runs, 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 batters in 4 1/3 innings.
Last season, Alvarez was recognized as a Florida State League All-star when he went 8-7 with a 4.33 ERA in 23 games as a member of the Class A advanced Dunedin Blue Jays, and represented the Blue Jays in the MLB Futures Game.
This year, Alvarez began the season on the disabled list. After being activated, Alvarez made 2 starts with Dunedin, prior to being promoted to New Hampshire. Overall, in his 4 starts with the Fisher Cats, Alvarez has posted a 2-1 record with a 3.22 ERA, 6 walks and 16 strike outs in 22 1/3 innings pitched.
With the help of righty hurler Rey Gonzalez, who translated, I spoke with Henderson after Sunday's defeat in Trenton. Check out the media player below, to listen to the full interview.
__________________________________________________________
Follow 1BlueJaysWay on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Making his 4th Class AA start for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 21-year-old Henderson Alvarez had his electric fastball register at 101 MPH. It may have been his fastest pitch of the day (others reach 96-98 MPH, but cracking 100 wasn't a regular occurrence) and the impact of Alvarez's fastball definitely missed the 4,707 in attendance at Trenton's Waterfront Park, as the facility is not equipped to post such data for the paying crowd to see, but plenty of folks have started to take notice of the right-handed Venezuela native anyway.
Alvarez, who stands 6-feet-1-inch tall and weighs 195 pounds, gave up 5 runs in the opening 2 frames of Sunday's contest against Eastern League East Division rivals the Yankees affiliate Trenton Thunder. After serving up a 2-RBI single to designated hitter Cody Johnson in the home half of the second inning, Alvarez settled down considerably, retiring 8 straight Thunder batters, before a single by Johnson in the 5th and a rising pitch count forced Fisher Cats manager Sal Fasano to make a call to the bullpen.
On the day, Alvarez took the loss, allowing 5 earned runs, 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 batters in 4 1/3 innings.
Last season, Alvarez was recognized as a Florida State League All-star when he went 8-7 with a 4.33 ERA in 23 games as a member of the Class A advanced Dunedin Blue Jays, and represented the Blue Jays in the MLB Futures Game.
This year, Alvarez began the season on the disabled list. After being activated, Alvarez made 2 starts with Dunedin, prior to being promoted to New Hampshire. Overall, in his 4 starts with the Fisher Cats, Alvarez has posted a 2-1 record with a 3.22 ERA, 6 walks and 16 strike outs in 22 1/3 innings pitched.
With the help of righty hurler Rey Gonzalez, who translated, I spoke with Henderson after Sunday's defeat in Trenton. Check out the media player below, to listen to the full interview.
__________________________________________________________
Follow 1BlueJaysWay on Twitter by clicking HERE.
2010-09-28
Interview With Henderson Alvarez
Henderson Javier Alvarez was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2006 at 16 years old out of Venezuela. This year he participated in the MLB XM Futures Game during the All Star weekend at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, for the World Team. He was also named to the Florida State League 1st half All-Star team, and was ranked as the #5 prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays organization for the 2010 season by Baseball America.
File this tidbit under the good news catergory, according to Bobby Elliott:
Jays tell RHP Zach Stewart, one of top arms in system along with Henderson Alvarez: "Be prepared to start or pitch in relief next spring."
Bob then clarified:
@dustinparkes They told Stewart be ready for either or, not Alvarez
And mentioned:
@PdashOW Stewart was told be ready for either or. Mentioned Alvarez as one of the top starters, along with Stewart
Our boy Jesse caught up with Henderson in 2009. They talk about the honor of being an opening day starter, his favorite pitch - the change up - and his story about signing a contract with your Toronto Blue Jays.
2010-09-27
Interview With Mel Queen
Image courtesy of (Peter Muhly/Getty Images)
Melvin Douglas Queen currently holds the title of senior adviser of player development with your Toronto Blue Jays. Boy Wonder promoted him in late October of last year. Prior to that, under J.P. Ricciardi, Mel was on a "special-projects" contract. He was assigned on a case-by-case basis to work with specific minor-league pitchers. Basically a roving Minor League coach.
In the past, Mel held a variety of titles within the organization. He served as the pitching coach from 1996-99 and even replaced The Cito as interim manager for the last five games of the 1997 MLB season. He was also the farm director and a special assignment scout during his time with the Blue Jays.
His most notable work as a coach has got to be his complete overhaul of Doc as a pitcher in 2001. Click here for an epic post by the team over at Mop Up Duty. Rock solid stuff right there.
Our boy Jesse caught up with the man last year for an interview. In it, they discuss a wide range of topics and some of the highlights include:
- Henderson Alvarez and a comparison to Pedro Martinez
- Marc Rzepczynski and his over use of the slider
- Henry Aaron and pitching inside
- Willie Mays and a curveball
Click here for Mel's career stats as a player.
2010-06-09
All-Stars from Big D(unedin)
- Henderson Alvarez, P
- Matt Daly, P
- Travis D'Arnaud, C
- Yan Gomes, C
- Tyler Pastornicky, SS
2010-05-28
Five Jays named to FSL North All-Star Team
First place Jays get two
pitchers, two catchers and an infielder
Starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez,
catchers Travis d’Arnaud and Yan Gomes and infielder Tyler Pastornicky were all
voted to the team by team managers, official scorers and beat writers.
Dunedin closer Matt Daly was added to the
team as a substitution after Tampa pitcher Hector Noesi was promoted to
Double-A.
Both Tampa
and Dunedin ended up with five selections, with Brevard County ,
Clearwater and Lakeland Bradenton
The Dunedin Blue Jays were at the top of
the FSL North Division after Friday night’s action at 31-18 overall, and it was
due to the hard work of their all-stars.
Alvarez, 20, has gone 5-1 with a 2.42 ERA
in nine starts this season, striking out 31 and only walking nine. The
right-handed starter was named the #5 prospect in the Blue Jays system by
Baseball America
D’Arnaud, 20, hit his fifth home run of the
season on Friday night and is hitting .309 this season with 22 RBIs. The
catcher has a team best .543 slugging percentage. He was acquired in an
offseason trade that sent Roy Halladay to Philadelphia
Gomes, 22, is batting .286 on the season
with 10 doubles and 14 RBIs. Also a catcher, Gomes is in his second season of
professional baseball after being drafted in the 10th round of the
2009 draft out of Berry
University
Pastornicky, 20, is batting .263 and has
split time between shortstop and second base this season. He has three home
runs with 19 RBIs and has stolen a team-high 13 bases.
Daly, 23, has 14 saves in 15 opportunities
with Dunedin
2010-05-03
Checking In On The Farm
Triple-A Las Vegas (12-12) accomplished the difficult feat yesterday of compiling 17 hits and three walks... but scoring only five runs (four in the ninth) in an 11-5 loss. The 51s now have a .294 batting average as a team, paced by 2B Jarrett Hoffpauir (.345). Meanwhile, 1B Brett Wallace continues to lead the Pacific Coast League with nine home runs.
Good news from Double-A where the first place New Hampshire Fisher Cats (16-7) are on fire, winners of six in a row. C Brian Jeroloman's batting .350 with a league-leading .458 on-base percentage; OF Eric Thames has 20 RBIs, second in the league; and speedy OF Darin Mastroianni leads the league with 12 stolen bases. I should mention, too, the terrific performance by 2B/3B Brad Emaus (.326, 2 HR, 16 RBIs, 15 walks and just two strikeouts in 14 games).
Yesterday the Cats were tied 5-5 with Reading in the fifth inning -- and then received a grand slam from Callix Crabbe amidst a seven-run explosion. New Hampshire cruised to the 16-5 rout.
In Dunedin (14-9), immensely talented 20-year-old Henderson Alvarez has only allowed one earned run in four starts (24 1/3 innings). He's 3-0 with a 0.37 ERA. Joel Carreno leads the team with 34 strikeouts, including 10 in six innings in a win at Tampa on April 27.
At Single-A, the Lansing Lugnuts' (14-10) six-game winning streak (including the first victory for 2009 1st round pick Chad Jenkins) came to an end on Thursday night. Two nights later, some history in Lansing: the 1,000th win in the franchise's history, thanks to a walk-off blow from sparkplug outfielder Chris Hopkins.
Unfortunately, perhaps the main early headline has been injuries to some promising players. Kenny Rodriguez is DL'd in New Hampshire, Travis D'Arnaud is on the shelf in Dunedin, and Matt Fields, Dave Sever, and Mark Sobolewski have all been sidelined in Lansing. Nothing looks serious as of yet, but it's worth keeping an eye on.
2010-04-22
Down in Dunedin
Catcher Travis D'Arnaud, picked up in the Halladay deal, is legit.
How legit?
He's hitting .396 with three homers and 12 RBIs in 13 games. Give him another month or so then move him up the ladder.
The rest of the offense:
Raul Baroon's been terrific (.389, .450, .611, four steals). Justin Jackson is on the Disabled List again, unfortunately. Welinton Ramirez (.231) and Mike McDade (.170) haven't started hitting yet. John Tolisano's (.250) bat was quiet early but looks like it's coming around.
If you haven't heard Venezuelan right-hander Henderson Alvarez's name yet, I'm pleased to provide the introduction. The kid's a total stud. He just turned 20-years-old, he's pitched seven innings in each of his starts this year, and he's allowed only one run on seven hits. If he doesn't keep shooting upward like a meteor, I'll be shocked. The only weakness is that his strikeout totals are low, but his stuff (sinking fastball, cutting change, biting slurve) is so good that I expect them to increase in time.
Out of the rest of the rotation, Andrew Liebel (1-2, 5.40) and Joel Carreno (0-2, 6.32) are disappointing, but Ryan Page (1-1, 4.76) and Chuck Huggins (1-0, 2.20) have pitched well.
How legit?
He's hitting .396 with three homers and 12 RBIs in 13 games. Give him another month or so then move him up the ladder.
The rest of the offense:
Raul Baroon's been terrific (.389, .450, .611, four steals). Justin Jackson is on the Disabled List again, unfortunately. Welinton Ramirez (.231) and Mike McDade (.170) haven't started hitting yet. John Tolisano's (.250) bat was quiet early but looks like it's coming around.
If you haven't heard Venezuelan right-hander Henderson Alvarez's name yet, I'm pleased to provide the introduction. The kid's a total stud. He just turned 20-years-old, he's pitched seven innings in each of his starts this year, and he's allowed only one run on seven hits. If he doesn't keep shooting upward like a meteor, I'll be shocked. The only weakness is that his strikeout totals are low, but his stuff (sinking fastball, cutting change, biting slurve) is so good that I expect them to increase in time.
Out of the rest of the rotation, Andrew Liebel (1-2, 5.40) and Joel Carreno (0-2, 6.32) are disappointing, but Ryan Page (1-1, 4.76) and Chuck Huggins (1-0, 2.20) have pitched well.
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