Hard-throwing reliever Elvis Alvarado looks for new opportunity in Miami

JUPITER, FL—In January, the Miami Marlins signed Elvis Alvarado to a minor league contract. He has made it all the way to a major league team's spring training camp as a pitcher despite actually beginning his professional career as an outfielder.

The last time Alvarado swung a bat was in 2017, when he was a part of the Washington Nationals organization. His .139/.199/.228/.427 slash line in the Dominican Summer League (30 wRC+) led to a position change.

The 6'4" right-handed pitcher has experienced some minor league success on the mound, especially in 2022. Across three levels of the Detroit Tigers organization, he posted a 2.72 ERA, allowing only three home runs in 59 ⅔ innings pitched. However, he was on the injured list this past season throughout April and May and his ERA nearly doubled to 5.18 while seeing most of his action in High-A.

Alvarado became a free agent at the end of 2023, but stayed busy as a reliever for the Dominican Winter League's Estrellas Orientales. He put himself on the Marlins' radar by throwing 12 ⅔ scoreless innings, striking out 10 and walking six. His sinker topped out at 100 mph.

Early on in Marlins camp, Alvarado impressed. He struck out center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and utility man Vidal Bruján during live BP. In his first Grapefruit League appearance (February 26), he went one inning, struck out one and didn't allow a hit nor a walk. 

"He's uncomfortable," said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker. "That's what you want, especially a righty kind of three-quarters arm slot...He hit the first guy, but I think the the reality is that if you can command his fastball and rip the slider like he's doing, he's gonna be an option for sure."

Control is the main issue for Alvarado. He also doesn't get as much swing-and-miss as you might expect given his velocity. On March 1, he received a save opportunity against the Philadelphia Phillies and allowed a game-tying homer to David Dahl.

A good comparison for Alvarado in terms of stuff, physical frame and eventual MLB potential is fellow Marlins reliever Anthony Bender. Bender burst onto the scene as a 26-year-old non-roster invitee during 2021 spring training and became a key piece of Miami's bullpen after debuting in May of that season. Alvarado turned 25 last month.

While Alvarado doesn't look to be in the mix for an Opening Day job, don't be surprised if he gets a call-up to Miami at some point and contributes.

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