In his first 20 games with QC this season, Alvarez is batting .414 with three home runs, six doubles, and 16 RBIs. His on-base percentage is .506 and he is slugging .629. In Sunday's 14-5 home win over Kane County, he was 2-for-4 with a home run and a career-high five RBIs. 

A native of Las Tunas, Cuba, Alvarez started his career in the Astros’ organization last season in the Dominican Summer League. The 6-foot-4 lefty was initially signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an international free agent in 2016, but was acquired by Houston in a trade of reliever Josh Fields. Alvarez played in 16 games for the DSL Astros Orange last season, hitting .341 (15-of-44) with one home run, two doubles, and one triple.

The additional playing time this season is new territory for Alvarez, but QC manager Russ Steinhorn said his transition to Class-A baseball has been smooth so far.

“You thought that maybe, at 19, things would speed up on him,” said Steinhorn. “But he’s adjusted better than anybody could have thought.”

In 20 games, Alvarez went without a hit just twice, and one was his May 15 debut when he had a sac-fly RBI. He drew a pair of walks in his only other hitless game.

Alvarez has split time evenly between designated hitter, left field and first base this season. His bat and power have been as good as advertised, but Steinhorn said Alvarez’ ability to step into different defensive roles has also been impressive.

“We knew he could hit, we just needed to teach him the defensive game,” said Steinhorn. “He’s handled himself in left field like he’s played it his entire life. He looks very confident and comfortable out there which is good to see.”

With the help of strength coach Hazael Wessin translating, Alvarez spoke about what he has focused on developing this season.

“The first is defense and trying to get a little bit stronger so he can hit more home runs and hit the ball harder,” translated Wessin. “But the main focus has been defense and having a consistent hitting approach.” 

That approach has yielded consistently positive results so far in QC. The challenge will be continuing to produce over the course of a full season.

“He’s never played this many games, so he’s going to have to learn how to play this many times a week,” said Steinhorn, "along with how to handle his body, his reps in the cage and things like that. I think that’s the biggest thing for him.”

If the big bat in the heart of the QC batting lineup isn't known around the Midwest League already, it is well on its way. Steinhorn said teams will begin to recognize how to attack Alvarez at the plate.

"People are going to start looking at his numbers and they'll try to start pitching him differently, and tougher," said Steinhorn. "But with his approach right now and his ability to recognize pitches-- if that doesn’t change, then he shouldn't have a problem."

With continued success and versatility, Alvarez should be well on his way to advancing up the ranks of the Astros' system.

"The bat is going to play at multiple levels," said Steinhorn. "He is learning that to move, he has to be versatile. And especially if you want to get to the big league level, you want to be able to stay there. And the best  way to do that is to be a utility guy that plays every day in multiple positions."

QC trio named to All-Star team: Alvarez was one of three River Bandits named to the Midwest League Western Division All-Star team. Pitchers Carson LaRue and Enoli Paredes will join the slugger at the Midsummer Classic on June 20th in Midland, Michigan.

The teams were selected by the managers of the Midwest League clubs. 

LaRue is tied for fifth in the Midwest League with six wins this season and has a 2.13 ERA, entering Wednesday night's start in Wisconsin.

Parades has not allowed more than two runs in eight appearances this season. On May 31, Parades held Cedar Rapids hitless through five innings.