Dariel Alvarez

Alvarez had a solid campaign at Triple-A in his third year of professional ball since migrating to the USA from Cuba. An aggressive hitter, Alvarez walked at just a 3.0% clip with Norfolk last season, but covered the plate well and put the ball in play (11.6% K-rate). However, his strikeout rate ballooned to 25.8% during his cup of coffee in September while his slugging percentage fell nearly 50 points. The Orioles have their work cut out for them to figure out who will flank either side of Adam Jones to open the season, but it is not expected that Alvarez will figure into that mix. When evaluating Alvarez, keep in mind he will be 27 years old on Opening Day, so there is not much projection left. His best assets are his arm and his fielding tools, which makes him a good candidate for a fourth outfield role.

Alvarez signed with the Orioles in July of 2013, a year after leaving his native Cuba, and turned heads with his performance in his first full season in affiliated baseball. Assigned to Double-A Bowie to begin the year, Alvarez posted an .819 OPS, 14 homers and 9.2% strikeout rate in 91 games in the Eastern League, earning a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk in July. While Alvarez then managed just one homer in 44 games with Norfolk, he improved his walk rate after the promotion (to 4.4%) and the drop in ISO between levels wasn't as dramatic as one might expect (from .178 to .139), thanks to his 17 doubles and two triples with the Triple-A club. The 26-year-old still needs to work on taking walks, and his .347 BABIP with Norfolk suggests he may have overachieved a bit, but Alvarez appears to be a top in-house candidate to fill the starting job in right field this season. If he were to work into a regular role at some point, Alvarez would likely become a popular pickup in most formats, as he has the potential to contribute useful numbers across the board.

Alvarez defected from Cuba and signed with the Orioles in late July. He made a big splash in rookie ball and Low-A before stalling in nine games at Double-A. Alvarez will get compared to fellow Orioles prospect Henry Urrutia, and the belief as of now is that Urrutia is the better offensive talent. Alvarez's throwing arm is regarded as the best in the organization, so good that some teams, including the Orioles, considered converting him into a pitcher. Alvarez should start the season where he left off in Double-A, and the 25-year-old could advance quickly even though his ceiling is probably as a reserve outfielder.

Alvarez is a Cuban defector who played six years in the Serie Nacional and hit .363 in 2010-11. He's not seen as a great hitter, but can field all three outfield positions. He'll likely sign with a MLB club in 2013.