Stand Out Center Fielder Rafael Alvarez Signed by Pittsburgh Pirates

Published on November 29, 2005 under American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


The Pensacola Pelicans announced today the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed Pelicans L/L (throws/ bats) centerfielder Rafael Alvarez.

Alvarez will have the opportunity to be invited to the Major League Sprint Training team in April. This would be a huge honor as each major league team invites only 80 - 90 players each pre-season. Pending his performance, he is currently slated to report to the Double "A" Altoona Curve in Altoona, PA, a member of the Eastern League.

"Rafael is a true professional both on and off the field," said Pelicans General Manager George Stavrenos. "He has proven himself and deserves this chance to compete at the next level. The entire Pelicans organization wishes nothing but the best for him and his career."

The talented center fielder has had a productive off-season, playing for the Caracas Leones in the highly touted Venezuelan Winter League, where he has played in all but eight of the teams 61 games. Alvarez is currently hitting .318 with nine homeruns, two triples, 14 doubles, 36 RBI and 34 runs scored. His nine homeruns and 34 runs scored are both good for third best on the team and his 36 RBI put him at second best on Caracas.

In 2005, Alvarez joined the Pelicans half way through the season after he finished playing in the Mexican League. In only 15 games for Pensacola, he batted .305 with five homeruns, five doubles, 12 runs scored and a slugging percentage of .644.

The Pelicans acquired Alvarez first in 2004, where he made the post season All-Star team and was named the 2004 Central Baseball League Player of the Year. He hit an impressive .353, 12 homeruns, three triples, 21 doubles, .642 slugging percentage and scored 60 runs. Alvarez finished the 2004 leading the league in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. He also led the team with 20 stolen bases.

To add to this impressive year, Alvarez had a league best 25-game hitting streak in which he hit .473 with 10 doubles, eight homeruns and 23 runs scored. Alvarez reached base in a league high 36 consecutive games from June 4 - July 26. Alvarez, who earned Batter of the Week honors on August 9, committed only three errors all season.

He was originally signed by the Minnesota Twins in 1994 where he played for 12 years. He worked his way to the Triple "A" Salt Lake Singers team (now Triple "A" for the Anaheim Angels) in 1997 and 1999.

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American Association Stories from November 29, 2005


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