Pirates officially ink second overall pick Alvarez
Sports Network | September 24, 2008
Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to terms with third baseman Pedro Alvarez, the second overall selection in the 2008 June Draft, on Wednesday.
Alvarez batted .317 with 15 doubles, nine home runs and 30 runs batted in 40 games during his junior season at Vanderbilt. Despite missing 23 games during the season with a broken hamate bone in his right hand, Alvarez tied the all- time Vandy home run record with 49.
The 21-year-old Alvarez also hit .329 with a school record 22 home runs and 64 RBI as a freshman while being named the Southeast Conference Freshman-of-the- Year.
The six-foot-two, 225-pound Alvarez was selected to the USA National Team twice during his collegiate career. In 2006, he captured the Gold Medal in the FISU World Championship by leading the team with a .379 average to go along with five home runs and 43 RBI in 31 games. In 2007, Alvarez led Team USA in batting average (.315), hits (40), home runs (7), RBI (30), total bases (70) and slugging percentage (.551), while winning the Silver Medal at the Pan Am Games and finishing third at the World Port Tournament.
Alvarez will begin his professional career at the Pirates Instructional League in Bradenton, Florida.
Pitcher Tom Gorzelanny was placed on the 60-day disabled list to make room on the roster for the highly touted prospect.
