Pedro Alvarez Having Big Spring For Pirates
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - While so much attention has been on Pedro Alvarez's transition to first and the adjustment there defensively, it would be easy to miss that Alvarez is leading the team in homers (5) and RBI (17) this Spring, along with a .318 average.
"In terms of statistics, they don't count, but it does matter in terms of the work you put in," Alvarez said. "Obviously, you want the work you put in to have a positive result in the end."
"I've been feeling pretty good. I think most importantly, aside from results or stats, as long as you feel good you can always carry that over to the next pitch, next at bat, next day."
Alvarez has had 109 total chances at first base this Spring, and made 103 put-outs and 6 assists with zero errors. The second pick overall in the 2008 amateur draft admits there will be situations to come up in games that he still hasn't experienced, but his hard work with Pirates Special Assistant and former third baseman turned first baseman Kevin Young appears to be paying off.
"I'm trying to have it be as instinctual as possible, I just keep telling myself it's the same as third base, it's just wearing a different glove and standing on the different side of the diamond," Alvarez said.
"He's worked extremely hard on a bunch of different plays," said manager Clint Hurdle. "He's instinctive over there. It's the other side of the diamond. It's just reps, it's innings, it's all of that, coming off the bag, receiving throws. He's developed very nicely during this camp."
Alvarez is battling back from injury and errors in 2014 with positive results so far.
"The objective every day is to get more and more comfortable and strive for that consistency," Alvarez said. "I like where we are all at as a team and personally, I'm just going to attempt to get better and feel more comfortable."