The Marlins are still not sure that their top backstop will be ready for the start of the season, but the general prognosis seems promising. Skipper Don Mattingly says that Jorge Alfaro has been cleared to engage in some baseball activities. as MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro was among those to cover on Twitter.
Alfaro has been laying low while dealing with a left oblique strain. While there’s still no indication that it’s a significant injury, it’s always prudent to exercise caution with this particular area of the body. Rather than pushing too hard and risking a more significant injury, the Fish will ease Alfaro back into action.
The Marlins would obviously prefer to have Alfaro behind the dish when the season gets underway. The 26-year-old is a key part of the team’s present and future hopes. After a solid but uneven showing last year, his first in Miami, he’ll be looking to make strides in 2020.
If Alaro is unable to prepare fully for the start of the upcoming campaign, there is a ready-made backup plan in the form of respected veteran Francisco Cervelli. Reserve duties could go to Chad Wallach, the only other backstop on the 40-man. Experienced big leaguer Ryan Lavarnway is also in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Jorge “All I do is K” Alfaro
33 XBH, including 18 Home runs, is rare for a catcher.
And a 33% K-rate is rare for, well, anyone.
We must live in an era where everyone doesn’t swing as hard as possible at everything because that’s what advanced stats say we should do
The catcher he was traded for had 39 xbh not including his 25 home runs. You just worded it in a strange way. Alfaro had 15 xbh and 18 home runs.
I’d say 15 xbh is below average for a catcher.
Using the term “XBH” as a number excluding homers is weird to me, I dunno
I agree it includes home runs but when you pull them out but still have them added to the total I makes the stat look skewed.
Not a great take there 8man. Alfaro had the 11th highest wRC+ amongst all catchers. Aka a top 11 offensive player as far as catchers go. Can throw anyone out, but needs some major work on framing and rest of his Defense but he’s young and will improve. Definitely a top 20 catcher and upside to be top 10.
Jorge alaro
I dunno man he kills my mets. Hes still young and can only get better.
Even though he k’s frequently hes a darn good hitter and has a cannon for an arm.
He’s young and I feel like he leads the young pitching staff pretty well. Seems like a clubhouse type of guy as well. Not a top 10 catcher by any means, but he’s a starter on about 10 teams. I’m optimistic he’ll grow into maybe a top 10-15 catcher.
Correction: he is no part of current or future hopes. The few of us who watch Marlin games know that.
This article says that alfaro had a solid but uneven year. We all know what that means right?