The Washington Nationals and Rochester Red Wings reached an agreement in 2021 that is now entering its sixth year with the Red Wings as Washington’s AAA affiliate in western New York. Rochester has been fielding a minor league team since 1877.
Currently, ESL Ballpark in Rochester is covered with several inches of white snow, but on March 27th Rochester will open the season in Jacksonville on Opening Day of the 2026 season playing last year’s AAA Champion of the International and Pacific Coast Leagues Jumbo Shrimp. On March 31st, the Wings will open at home versus the Scranton Wilkes Barre Rail Riders.
This is the first in a series of six in-depth previews of players that may start this season in Rochester or play in Rochester later in the season. This Spring Preview will be divided into six parts; first is starting pitchers followed by relief pitchers, infielders, outfielders, catching, and coaching staff.
LHP Andrew Alvarez
Last season 26-year-old Andrew Alvarez started 24 games for the Rochester Red Wings and 5 games for the Washington Nationals. Alvarez was drafted by the Nationals in the 12th round of the MLB Draft. After pitching in the Nationals’ minor leagues system since 2022, Andrew made his major league debut for Washington on Labor Day; and what a debut it was! Andrew tossed 5.0 shutout innings with only one hit allowed, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts against the Miami Marlins.
Alvarez earned his first major league win becoming the first Nats pitcher to throw 5+ scoreless innings in their debut. Alvarez went on to start 5 games for the Nats finishing his season with one win and one loss with an excellent 2.31 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. The opponents’ batting average against him in his five starts was a superb .184.
Andrew throws a 4-seam fastball that has cutting action to his glove side around 93-95 mph and a two-seam fastball with sinking action. He throws a sweeping curveball that is difficult for left-handed batters to get the bat on the ball. His sweeping curve is thrown at different speeds; sometimes in the mid 80s and other times in the mid-70s. His best pitch is his 83-mph slider that has the highest swing and miss rate at 35% of the time. He completes his pitching arsenal with an effective 85 mph changeup. Andrew keeps most of his pitches low in the strike zone and at the time of his call up last year he led the International League with inducing ground ball double plays.
Alvarez is very durable and uses his body with his wind-up by using his legs. He utilizes all the pitches when he is on the mound.
Prediction for 2026: Andrew Alvarez has an excellent shot at making Washington’s Opening Day Roster. He could either starter or relieve. He is very effective against left-handed batters who only hit .182 against him. If Washington wants to send him to Rochester, he does have options left so they would not have to DFA him.
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