Fastball

New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez Joins Rare Club in Team History

New York Mets rookie catcher Francisco Alvarez hit two home runs on Thursday against the Atlanta Braves, joining an extremely rare club in team history.

Brady Farkas

New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez Joins Rare Club in Team History
New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez Joins Rare Club in Team History /
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The New York Mets may be struggling this year, but that doesn't mean that rookie catcher Francisco Alvarez is.

The Mets lost a heartbreaking 13-10 game to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night to continue their slide. The Mets are now three games under .500 at 30-33, have lost six straight and seven of their last 10, and are 8.5 games back in the division.

But Alvarez continues to impress. Given his first chance at everyday playing time in the big leagues, the rookie is hitting .244 with 11 homers and 23 RBI. He had two home runs on Thursday to join a very special club in team history.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

most multi-HR games before turning 22, Mets history: 

Darryl Strawberry: 6 

Ed Kranepool: 3 

Francisco Álvarez: 2 

José Reyes: 2

It's rare enough to be playing in the big leagues before turning 22, nevertheless impressing in this manner.

Alvarez made his debut in 2022, playing in five games, but has gotten a chance to shine this season. Omar Narvaez was brought in in the offseason but hurt his leg and Alvarez hasn't looked back.

The Mets will travel to Pittsburgh on Friday to take on the Pirates. Pittsburgh is 32-29 on the season and in second place in the National League Central. Tylor Megill will pitch for New York while Rich Hill will go for the Buccos.

Megill is 5-3 with a 4.40 ERA while Hill is 5-5 with a 4.41.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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