Where does Pedro Alvarez rank in the division’s first basemen?

Aug 25, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez (24) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

4) Pedro Alvarez – Pittsburgh Pirates

While Pirates fans like to focus on his 36-homer, 100 RBI season from two years ago, the truth is that Alvarez has a lot of work to do at the dish.

He’s a career .235 hitter who has shown a tendency to strike out at a troubling rate (as noted in the opening slide). These numbers came while he was playing third base – a position he played exclusively in the Minor Leagues. With a new position to learn, it only adds to the amount of focus he’ll have to have moving forward.

That being said, if Alvarez can cut down on the strikeouts and play a decent first base, he could still have value for Pittsburgh. The Pirates need him to contribute – and another near-200 strikeout season won’t bode well for the former top prospect.