Mets top prospect Francisco Alvarez learned on Thursday night that he was going to be called up for Friday's game and make his major league debut in a pivotal series against the Atlanta Braves.
The power hitter went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in his first professional game, and said afterwards that he felt good out there but wishes the team could have came away with a win.
"I felt good," Alvarez said through a translator. "I was excited because I was able to make my debut, but also sad and disappointed we weren't able to win that game."
Down 5-2 in the top of the ninth inning, the Mets loaded the bases with one out against Braves closer Kenley Jansen. Manager Buck Showalter didn't shy away from letting the 20-year-old bat in a crucial spot, as Alvarez came up to the plate with a chance to make his mark. Jansen got the best of Alvarez, striking him out on three pitches. After the game, Alvarez was asked about the big at-bat in the ninth inning, saying he stuck with his approach but just came up short.
"My mindset was to go out there and do a good job," Alvarez said. "My approach didn't change, it was the same approach. It was just to go out there and do the same thing that I always do, but just didn't get the results there."
Alvarez said he was prepared for the situation and treated it like any other at-bat. Despite the results, he made it clear that he feels ready to play in the major leagues.
"Since the day I signed, I felt like I belonged here," Alvarez said. "So that's why I take it with a sense of calmness. And because I know that I belong here, obviously there's a lot of work to be done, but I feel like I belong here so that's how you approach it."
In July at the 2022 MLB All-Star Futures Game, Alvarez said his childhood goal was to make the big leagues, adding that he was ready and willing to help the Mets whenever he got the call. Prior to his debut on Friday night, teammate Francisco Lindor spoke to Alvarez and reminded him to take in the moment and realize that he has achieved one his lifelong goals.
"Yeah before the game Lindor just pulled me aside and just told me, 'Hey, remember this moment. Remember and appreciate this moment. This is what you've been working for. No one can ever say that you're not a big leaguer, you played a big league and its forever going to be there.' He told me things like that before the game," Alvarez said.