By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/?m=1
ST. LOUIS --- Pedro Alvarez has not had the production or the profile this season to rival the Pirates' other two prized rookies, Jose Tabata and Neil Walker, but there were two powerful reminders Monday that he still might have the highest ceiling.
The first came before the game, when Alvarez was named National League player of the week for batting .417 -- 10 for 24 -- with two home runs, four doubles and 13 RBIs, the latter total the highest in all of Major League Baseball for the week ending Sunday. It was the first such award for the Pirates since catcher Ryan Doumit for June 9-15, 2008.
"It's definitely an honor," Alvarez said in the afternoon. "There are some guys in the league who are really hot, and to be privileged to get an award like this, it means a lot to me. And it's a reward for the hard work I've put in and will continue to put in. Hopefully, there's a lot more coming way."
Tom Gannam/Associated PressThe Pirates' Pedro Alvarez is congratulated by third base coach Tony Beasley after his solo home run in the second inning Monday at Busch Stadium.
That would sound prescient in a few short hours, with the second reminder: In the Pirates' 6-4 loss to St. Louis, Alvarez went 3 for 3 with his third home run in six games, a double, an RBI single, two RBIs and an intentional walk.
It was as if he had begun working on becoming the player of next week.
Alvarez, 23, has been hot and cold since his arrival June 16, sometimes striking out every second or third time up, and sometimes swinging as he did to win this award: He led all National League hitters with 20 total bases, tied for the league lead with four doubles and hit safely in every game. Most important, his biggest hits, including a three-run home run and two-run home run, contributed to team victories that were part of a 7-2 homestand.
"It's a great accolade for Pedro," manager John Russell said. "I think one good thing is that some of our players are starting to get noticed, with the way people have been talking about Tabata and Walker and Andrew McCutchen, and now Pedro. I'm proud of him."
Overall, Alvarez is batting .249 with 14 home runs, 58 RBIs and 113 strikeouts in 325 at-bats, though those have been reduced of late.
How has he grown since the promotion?
"I think the game has slowed down for me, going up to the plate, taking a shortcut to the ball on defense, a lot of things," Alvarez said. "And I'm not thinking as much about results. I'm just trying to trust my process, my game plan, and I believe, more often than not, it will pay off my way."
"He's learned a lot," Russell said. "He's a very intelligent young man who takes in a lot, maybe too much. I think he's learned how to process it a little better, relax and not try to do so much so quick. His at-bats have slowed down for him. He's really come a long way, and we've seen that the past few weeks."
Buried treasure
• Reliever Chris Resop, out since Sept. 16 because of a sore elbow, threw an extended side session and could be cleared to return to full duty tonight.
• Outfielder Lastings Milledge, out since Sept. 13 because of a strained left oblique, returned to the batting cage still hoping to appear in a game before season's end. Russell said Milledge could take full batting practice with the team soon.
• Jeff Karstens threw another 30-pitch side session, his third after missing much of the month to arm fatigue. He has not received clearance to pitch, although Russell hinted that it might happen.
• Russell and general manager Neal Huntington continue to meet with players in Russell's office as part of what the team calls exit interviews. It is more of a season-in-review process, where all concerned discuss how things went, as well as plans for the offseason. Alvarez had good timing: His meeting came right after the player-of-the-week announcement.
Dejan Kovacevic: dkovacevic@post-gazette.com.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10271/1090899-63.stm#ixzz10pHlrEJm
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