There are dozens of Major League Baseball prospects that don't pan out.
For one reason or another, the player fails to reach expectations set forth by the organization they are drafted by or sign with.
The Houston Astros have high expectations for 17-year-old outfielder Kevin Alvarez, who signed with the AL West club this past January.
Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter listed Alvarez as the Astros' prospect most likely ready for a breakout season in 2026.
"With a 6'4", 184-pound frame that oozes projection and a smooth left-handed swing that has drawn comparisons to Kyle Tucker, Alvarez could quickly emerge as the top prospect in the Houston farm system," Reuter wrote.
"He hit.301/.419/.455 with more walks (23) than strikeouts (19) in his pro debut after signing for $2 million last January, and he could fly up leaguewide Top 100 lists with a strong start stateside."
Alvarez is far from making his MLB debut
As stated previously, Alvarez is just 17, and MLB Pipeline anticipates his estimated arrival in the Major Leagues will be 2030.
Alvarez played 47 games in the Dominican Summer League and will likely report back to the Dominican Republic to start the 2026 season. He has many levels of the minor leagues to reach before becoming a mainstay in the Astros' lineup.
The Astros could look a lot different by 2030. Yordan Alvarez becomes a free agent in 2029, and their franchise player, Jose Altuve, could contemplate retirement after his age 39 season.
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