Despite injury, Alvarez still a top choice

[BeeJ]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080507&content_id=2656864&vkey=draft2008&fext=.jsp

The junior third baseman was idled during the opening weeks of the season after breaking the hamate bone in his right hand during the Commodores' season opener against Oregon State and missed 23 of the team's first 24 games.

Expected to be an early -- if not the first -- pick in next month's First-Year Player Draft, his injury has impacted his numbers.

However, it shouldn't impact his chances, according to Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin.

"The body of work over the last two years is apparent," Corbin said of Alvarez, who earned National Freshman of the Year honors following the 2006 season, All-Southeastern Conference and All-America honors after last season, and came into the current campaign with 40 career home runs, 132 RBIs and a .359 career batting average.

[Stotle]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080507&content_id=2656864&vkey=draft2008&fext=.jsp

I'm really surprised how many people are sleeping on Alvarez due to his injury. I guess, in fairness, many don't follow college ball and are not familiar with his insane FR and SO years. I don't see any way that he isn't the best college bat in the draft.

[bobmc]

I saw him last night vs. TN Tech. He has a super quick bat, worked two walks, played flawlessly in the field with a strong arm and has decent speed. Vandy plays UGA this weekend and needs a sweep for the SEC regular season championship.

[markpolis]

I'm really surprised how many people are sleeping on Alvarez due to his injury. I guess, in fairness, many don't follow college ball and are not familiar with his insane FR and SO years. I don't see any way that he isn't the best college bat in the draft.

Agree 100%. I hope the D-Rays, Pirates and Royals are fool enough (or just scared of Boras) not to pick Alvarez.

[mtairydan]

I'm really surprised how many people are sleeping on Alvarez due to his injury. I guess, in fairness, many don't follow college ball and are not familiar with his insane FR and SO years. I don't see any way that he isn't the best college bat in the draft.

I agree and I would take him with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th pick if I had any of them or if he dropped to me.

[Stotle]

Here is a reminder of his first 2 years in the best conference in college baseball:

Alvarez:

FR Year -- 240 AB, .329/.456/.675, 22 HR, 15 2b, 1 3b, 64 SO, 57 BB

SO Year -- 272 AB, .386/.463/.684, 18 HR, 21 2b, 3 3b, 65 SO, 40 BB

[LookinUp]

Here is a reminder of his first 2 years in the best conference in college baseball:

Alvarez:

FR Year -- 240 AB, .329/.456/.675, 22 HR, 15 2b, 1 3b, 64 SO, 57 BB

SO Year -- 272 AB, .386/.463/.684, 18 HR, 21 2b, 3 3b, 65 SO, 40 BB

I'm crossing my fingers that, with the combination of his agent and the fact that a couple of publications are not rating him the clear #1 player, the three teams above us will have ample excuse not to pick him.