Francisco Alvarez's 2026 Outlook: Health, Power, Defense

0:00You're listening to New York meds news today. Subscribe now for fast daily updates on your team. The New York meds look very different this offseason after trades and free agent losses, but young catcher Francisco Alvarez remains a key piece, heading into his fourth season as the starter in 2026. Over parts of four big league years, he's hit 230 with a 306 on base and 429 slugging, belting 48 home runs and driving in 143. His 105 weighted runs created plus in 6.7 fan graphs, wins above replacement show, solid overall value. Last season in 2025, Alvarez had his best year at the plate, batting 256 with a 339 on base and 447 slugging over 76 games. He smashed to 11 homers, added 32 RBI, posted a 124 weighted runs created plus and earned 1.8 wins above. Replacement. His defense dip to the bottom of the pack though, costing the team six fielding runs.

1:03Injuries have been a big hurdle for him lately. In 2024, a torn thumb ligament sidelined him for nearly two months. Then in 2025, a broken Hamate bone in his left hand kept him out the first month and a right thumb issue lingered until surgery after. The year, things turned around in the second half of 2025 after a stint in triple A. Post all star brick, he hit 276 with a 360 on base and 561 slugging, launching eight of his homers and 21 RBI. For scorching 157 weighted runs created plus. Fan graphs projections see him around 242 with a 324 on base and 447 slugging next year, with 20 homers a 1. 17 weighted runs created plus and three wins above replacement. The big questions are whether he stays healthy, keeps that hot bat and rebounds behind the plate to help spark the meds. This episode is proudly sponsored by our partner. Relax deeper, reset faster,

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