March 15, 2022
ANALYSIS
Signed out of Cuba for $16 million as a teenager in July 2015, Alvarez never developed like the Dodgers anticipated after a promising professional debut at the rookie-ball and Low-A levels in 2016. After finishing out the 2019 season on the restricted list due to behavioral issues, Alvarez lost another year of development in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to a shoulder injury. He finally made his return to action at the rookie-level Arizona Complex League last September and is presumably preparing for an assignment to a full-season affiliate to begin 2022. Now 26 years old and without a spot on the 40-man roster, Alvarez's chances of reaching the majors have dimmed considerably, but his pedigree at least makes him an interesting name to keep an eye during the minor-league season.