To anyone who knows the contribution Pedro Alvarez made at the plate last season for the Orioles, let alone saw his scalding bat in spring training, the idea of him starting the season in the minors is one that takes some getting used to.
After all, he’s a former first-round pick (second overall) who hit 22 home runs and was worth 1.1 wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs, as a platoon designated hitter a season ago. He is as valuable a weapon as a team could have against right-handed pitching.
But just as he couldn’t control when he’d be in the lineup last season, he has to swallow an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk this season.