New York Mets Call Up Baseball’s No. 1 Prospect Ahead Of Huge Series

The time has come. The New York Mets have called up 20-year-old phenom—and baseball's No. 1 prospect—Francisco Alvarez. And just in time to face the Atlanta Braves in a 3-game showdown for first place. 

The New York Mets are calling up MLB's No.1 overall prospect Francisco Álvarez, via multiple reports. pic.twitter.com/zB7aupvZpi

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 30, 2022

At age 16, he signed the largest bonus the Mets had ever paid to an international teenager—$2.7M. By the time he was 19, the young catcher was tearing up the lower minor leagues as one of the most exciting offensive forces in baseball. 

This year, he's risen to become MLB Pipeline's No. 1 prospect, still at the age of 20. He has 27 HR and 78 RBIs in 112 games between AA and AAA, and now, he'll be making his major league debut. 

MLB Pipeline notes "he has the bat to make multiple All-Star trips (and perhaps a few Home Run Derby appearances as well)."

The young Venezuelan is ready for the spotlight, as noted by MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Alvarez says "I’ve never believed in being afraid, ever, or of being nervous.”

He'll get the chance to show that, and his prodigious power, under the glare of the biggest spotlight in baseball this weekend: Mets vs. Braves. First place on the line.