Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospects Yadier Alvarez, Dennis Santana and Mitchell White were promoted to Double-A Tulsa this week. The trio of right-handers began the season with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.
The decision to promote Alvarez is a curious one. While heralded as one of the jewels from the 2015-16 international signing period, the Cuban native has been hampered by command issues.
Alvarez made his professional debut last year, pitching for Low-A Great Lakes and the Arizona League Dodgers. He went a combined 4-3 with a 2.12 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 21 walks and 81 strikeouts in 59.1 innings pitched across 14 starts.