"I'm out there facing Rafael Palmeiro, a future Hall of Famer. Miguel Tejada's hitting bombs off me. You look back and you're like man, that was fun."

Abe Alvarez, LHP, Red Sox
Although it's bit early to get a reading of the Pedro Martinez free-agency tea leaves, Derek Lowe almost certainly won't be back in Boston next season. While the well heeled Sox will likely opt for conspicuous consumption on the free agent market, they may also give a meaningful role to Alvarez. He didn't fare very well in his first major league start this season, but don't be surprised if he emerges as the swing man on the Boston staff in 2005.

Scouting Report: Tall and lanky lefty. Has been compared to Orel Hershiser and Jamie Moyer.  Changes speeds well and hits his spots with consistency.  Fastball isn't fantastic, topping out in the mid to high 80s,  but throws all of his pitches with pinpoint control. Best changeup and command in the Sox farm system.  Curveball needs some work.  Very mature, knows what he needs to do to prepare for each game.  Very focused. Legally blind in his left eye.  Wears his hat to the side to balance the lighting in his blind eye - not as a fashion statement.(from soxprospects.com)

Abe rebounded very well after his first start and pitched great in his second start.
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I almost opened a new thread, but I found this one...

Alvarez has pitched two games so far for 12 innings, 4 hits and 2 walks.

Problem is two of the hits were dingers.

Still, a .50 WHIP looks nice, as does a 1.50 ERA.

He's still only 23, so he's still got time to develop. Any chance he made some big leaps this offseason?

Jamie Moyer didn't realize his potential until he was like 30.

I think we could see Alvarez on the Sox this season, maybe even starting in Wells' spot.

Another decent start yesterday for Abe.

6 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 1 HR.

ERA "balloons" to 2.50.

According to the ProJo he retired the first 10 betters before issuing a walk and then the homer.

Alvarez had another pretty good start last night (3 ER in 6.1 IP). His season totals:

W-L: 4-0
IP: 35.1
ERA: 2.55
WHIP: 0.99
K/9: 3.82
K/BB: 1.25
HR/9: 1.02
GO/FO: 0.78

Some of his peripherals (particularly the low strikeout rate and the low groundout rate) make you wonder how he's managed to be successful, but he's getting people out right now.

Also, HBM, where do you find MiL GO/FOs? Do they also have G/F?

I assume you're asking about 2006 #s and probably know about Baseball America's stat pages, which list G/F for last year. For the current season numbers, I have to tally them myself from the boxscores at MinorLeagueBaseball.com, like this one, and unfortunately they only list GO/FO.

What has made Alvarez more effective this year is a cut fastball he developed late last season. He threw it in college one year but wasn’t comfortable with it, so he stopped throwing it. Interim Sox pitching coach Al Nipper worked with him on it last season, as did PawSox pitching coach Mike Griffin

“I think it’s a big part of my success,” Alvarez said. “With a cutter, I’m able to come inside to righties instead of always using my change-up.”

Alvarez didn't pitch too well tonight for Pawtucket, but to be fair, he's only had 1 appearance since May 7, and that was the 3 inning stint for Boston on Sunday.

His line tonight: 4 IP, 7 hits, 4 ER, 3 BBs, 0 Ks.

If Wells can't make his next start, it'll be interesting to see if Abe gets some consideration for it. Since Alvarez was just sent down on Monday, Wells would actually have to go on the DL for Alvarez to be recalled on 5/31, since 10 days will not have passed.

If I were Abe Alvarez I wouldn't be worried about whether or not I will be pitching at the age of 47. I would be worried about my fate at the age of 25, since this is his last year of Optional Assignment and he will probably be signing some scrub-a-dub-dub contract to be AAAA filler for some team out of Spring Training next year.

The Red Sox promoted Alvarez WAY too early, at the age of 21, after only one full year as a pro. So because of that, even if he does develop into a passable LOOGY in 2 years or so, the Red Sox most likely will not be the beneficiary.

If I were Abe Alvarez I wouldn't be worried about whether or not I will be pitching at the age of 47. I would be worried about my fate at the age of 25, since this is his last year of Optional Assignment and he will probably be signing some scrub-a-dub-dub contract to be AAAA filler for some team out of Spring Training next year.

The Red Sox promoted Alvarez WAY too early, at the age of 21, after only one full year as a pro. So because of that, even if he does develop into a passable LOOGY in 2 years or so, the Red Sox most likely will not be the beneficiary.

PawSox manager Ron Johnson informed left-handed pitcher Abe Alvarez after Sunday's game in Pawtucket that he was being released. Alvarez was working out following PawSox' victory over Norfolk when he was called into the manager's office.

Originally selected by the Red Sox in the second round (49th overall) in the 2003 draft, Alvarez was 2-1 with a 6.46 ERA this season as a relief pitcher. The 25-year-old has been in the organization for six seasons and the one-time prospect has struggled the last few seasons.

The southpaw was originally a starter before he was moved to the bullpen after the All-Star break in 2007.

He was almost traded to the Colorado Rockies two years ago, but the deal fell through in the 11th hour. Ever since, it was obvious Alvarez wasn't happy and his performance showed that.

He was almost traded to the Colorado Rockies two years ago, but the deal fell through in the 11th hour. Ever since, it was obvious Alvarez wasn't happy and his performance showed that.