Pedro Alvarez named EL Player of the Month
September 5, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA, Pa - The Altoona Curve in conjunction with the Eastern League is pleased to announce that Curve third baseman Pedro Alvarez has been selected as the Eastern League Player of the Month for the month of August.
Alvarez had an outstanding month for the Curve, batting .368 (39-for-106) with nine doubles, seven home runs, 21 runs scored, 20 RBI, 24 walks, one steal, a .485 on-base percentage and a .651 slugging percentage while leading the team to a record of 18-10 during the month. The 22-year old reached base in all but one of the 28 games he played in during the month, including a streak of 16 consecutive games to open the month, and he collected multiple hits in 12 of those 28 games he played in. Alvarez, who is a native of New York, New York, led all Eastern League players in total bases (69) and walks (24) during the month and also finished ranked among the league leaders in home runs (7-tied 1st), hits (39-2nd), doubles (9-tied 3rd), runs scored (21-tied 3rd), batting average (.368-5th) and RBI (20-tied 8th). Pedro played his final game of the season for the Curve on August 31, as at that time he left the club to play for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Cup in Germany.
Alvarez becomes the first Altoona Curve player to garner the distinction since Steve Pearce accomplished the feat in June 2007. Other Curve players in recent history to be named E.L. Player of the Month are: Adam Boeve (April 2006) and Brad Eldred (August 2004 and April 2005).
"Pedro is an impact type player who makes players around him better," said Altoona Curve manager Matt Walbeck. "With him in our lineup we played our best baseball of the season and he helped us turn around our season when we needed it the most. It's great to see him recognized for his accomplishments while playing for the Curve."
Alvarez started this season making his professional debut with the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Class-A Carolina League and hit .247 with 14 home runs and 55 RBI with the club before he received a promotion to Altoona on June 23rd. Since joining the Curve the 6'3", 235 lb. slugger has been one of the top performers in the league, hitting .333 with 18 doubles, 13 homers, 42 runs scored, 40 RBI, 34 walks, a .419 on-base percentage and a .590 slugging percentage in 60 games.
Pedro was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round of the 2008 draft as the 2nd overall pick after hitting .317 (53-for-167) with 15 doubles, nine home runs, 45 runs scored and 30 RBI in 40 games during his junior season at Vanderbilt University.
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