Comments on: Top 50 Jays Prospects, Jays Journal Edition: #13 Henderson Alvarez

By: Jays Prospect Update: RHP Henderson Alvarez « Jays Journal | A Toronto Blue Jays Blog

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:30:34 +0000

[...] The Jays signed Henderson Alavarez as an international FA in August of 2006 out of Venezuela. Along with fellow Venezuelan Adonys Cardona, he provides the Jays with very high ceilinged promise for the future of the rotation and is extremely close to making himself the “next in line” for a call-up to Toronto due to his dominance so far in 2011. We ranked Alvarez as the 13th best Jays prospect during the off-season, and you can read what we gathered on him at that time here. [...]

By: aarne13

aarne13 — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:12:51 +0000

H.Alvarez is 3 years younger than Carreno and has already caught up to him. Henderson is still very young and will struggle at times. But with more experience he should be able to take advantage of his FB-CU combo. Carreno’s K-rate didn’t take off until 2010 in his 5th yr of pro-ball.

By: Mat Germain

Mat Germain — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 01:05:02 +0000

I’ll echo what FenixL said, it’s a little frustrating to not get Joel Carreno type results in terms of Ks, but with some better preparation and maturity he should be able to get better results. The stuff is there and getting better, so now it’s just a matter of the catchers and others calling a game that makes the most use of his tools. He needs to miss a little lower in the zone when he does miss, instead of above the knees. If that happens, he’ll be a fast mover in 2011.

By: FenixL

FenixL — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:20:10 +0000

Its irritating to see a guy with his stuff only strike out the amount of people he does. He should be raking up K’s, but sadly he isnt. I dont really know if its because of his control, and him constantly pounding the zone. I think it may be because of his immaturity issues. Its been well documented that hes a baby, and thats what he needs to work on.

If he can ever get his head straight he could be a helluva pitcher, but i am unsure he’ll ever get everything to click. Hes only turning 21 so there is hope.

By: mutton chops

mutton chops — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:11:49 +0000

nice to see FIP getting some cred, nice write-up.

By: Mylegacy

Mylegacy — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:14:06 +0000

I always wondered – when he was just a little tiny baby and his mother looked into his cute squinty eyes (all babies seem to be squinting) – whatever came over her as she said – “This kid looks like his first name should be Henderson.” Where did that name come from?

As to his baseball skills. I remain intrigued. After the 2008 season – when his stats were – ifish – I heard a Jay’s official say that notwithstanding the results…”this is a kid to watch.” He still is.

2011 is a big year for him. Time to see if he can begin to take that step from “good” control to “good” command. Steven Ellis – a pitching coach – describes Control as “being able to throw strikes” and having “Command” as being able to throw strikes to specific parts of the strike zone.” When – if – he masters “Command” then we’ll know what we’ve got here. I think – the guy is gonna be a very sweet pitcher. At least middle of the rotation or if not then very likely power closer.

Just another of SO MANY interesting guys to watch this season.