6: Ignacio (Nacho) Alvarez 20 – 3B/SS – A
Prospect City ™️
— Rome Emperors (@GoEmperors) August 26, 2023
Nacho Alvarez Jr. puts it in the woods and it’s all Braves early on.#RaisedInRome | #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/4pEtDXHBn3
BA says, "Alvarez has arguably the best pure bat-to-ball skills" in Atlanta’s system. He struck only 17.4% of the time and walked 13.4% while posting a .284/.395/.391 line at Rome.
"He’s developed into Atlanta’s top pure hitting …has a knack for situational hitting, and (crushed0left-handed pitchers to the tune of a .964 OPS."OFFR
BP called Alvarez a plus defender at third who could play second easily and play short in a pinch. That description makes him sound a bit like Vaughn Grissom with speed. BP compared him to former Braves prospect Justin-Henry Mallow, but better.
" Alvarez is better in just about every way and could be a plus hitter if he lifts the ball without sacrificing his bat-to-ball ability and interesting exit velocities. "Smith Brickner BP
That’s a Wrap
When so many of a team’s prospects are playing below or moving to AA next year, the Atlanta Braves farm system is clearly thin on useful Major League depth and mid-level trade pieces. The situation isn’t as bad as it sounds because GM Alex Anthopoulos planned ahead, extending the core of the lineup long enough to start the rebuild while the team continues to win.
Stay tuned for Atlanta Braves prospects one through five tomorrow.