On March 26, 2023, the Pittsburgh Pirates sent Omar Alfonzo to big league camp for a day. A catcher entering his age 19 season, and lacking any experience above the complex levels, Alfonzo was asked to catch the last half of the game against the Atlanta Braves.
After the game, Pirates farm director John Baker got a call from Pirates’ Major League Field Coordinator Mike Rabelo.
“Holy shit,” Rabelo exclaimed over the catching skills from Alfonzo. “That kid was like he had been here the whole time.”
The son of former big league catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, Omar managed and controlled the big league game that day, while adding a walk in two professional plate appearances.