Dariel Álvarez

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Álvarez and the second or maternal family name is Camejo.
Dariel Álvarez
Álvarez with the Baltimore Orioles
Free agent
Right fielder
Born: (1988-11-07) November 7, 1988 (age 36)
Camagüey, Cuba
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: August 28, 2015, for the Baltimore Orioles
NPB: August 13, 2021, for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
MLB statistics
(through 2016 season)
Batting average.250
Home runs1
RBI1
Hits8
NPB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Batting average.162
Home runs1
Runs batted in3
Hits6
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Dariel Álvarez Camejo (born November 7, 1988) is a Cuban professional baseball right fielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

Professional career

Baltimore Orioles

Álvarez with the Norfolk Tides at the 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game

Álvarez played for Camagüey in the Cuban National Series before starting his career in America. On July 24, 2013, Álvarez signed with the Baltimore Orioles organization as an international free agent.[1] He began his professional career with the rookie-level Gulf Coast Orioles, going 4-for-9 with a home run in three games, before he was promoted to the High-A Frederick Keys.[2] After hitting .436/.463/.641 with two home runs in 10 games, he was promoted to the Double-A Bowie Baysox.[3] He finished the year hitting .342/.373/.570 with four home runs in 22 games. Álvarez started the 2014 season back with Bowie, and hit .306/.330/.472 in 135 games between the Baysox and the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. In July 2015, Álvarez played in the All-Star Futures Game.[4] He was assigned to Norfolk to begin the 2015 season, and was named an International League All-Star.

On August 28, 2015, Álvarez was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[5][6] He made his Major League Baseball debut the same day as the starting right fielder against the Texas Rangers. In the game, Álvarez went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.[7] On September 11, Alvarez hit his first career Major League home run off of Kansas City Royals starter Danny Duffy. He finished his rookie season 7-for-29 in 12 games with Baltimore.

After competing for a spot on the Orioles' Opening Day roster in 2016, Álvarez was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to start the 2016 season.[8] The Orioles recalled him to the major leagues on July 4.[9] Álvarez would only appear in 2 games for the Orioles in 2016, spending the majority of the year in Norfolk, and went 1-for-3 with a walk.

Álvarez converted into a pitcher in 2017 and suffered an elbow injury which required Tommy John surgery.[10] He was released by Baltimore on April 6,[11] and re-signed a minor league contract two days later.[12] Álvarez would miss the entire 2017 season due to the injury. He missed the majority of 2018 recovering as well, and pitched in 2 games for the GCL Orioles, recording a 1-1 record and 6.75 ERA with no strikeouts. Álvarez elected free agency on November 2, 2018.[13]

Toros de Tijuana

On January 14, 2019, Álvarez signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[14] Álvarez returned to hitting and slashed .264/.282/.389 with 6 home runs and 39 RBI in 49 games with Tijuana.

Saraperos de Saltillo

On June 4, 2019, Álvarez was traded to the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. He finished the year with Saltillo, batting .307/.346/.472 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 68 games. Álvarez did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]

Ibaraki Astro Planets

On December 19, 2020, Álvarez signed with the Ibaraki Astro Planets of the independent Baseball Challenge League in Japan.[16]

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

On July 21, 2021, Álvarez signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[17][18] On August 13, he debuted in the NPB against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and recorded his first hit on August 22.[19] Álvarez became a free agent following the season.

Sultanes de Monterrey

On January 18, 2022, Álvarez signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League for the 2022 season.[20] In 34 games, he batted .186/.226/.339 with 4 home runs and 17 RBIs. Álvarez was released on June 2, 2022.

Saraperos de Saltillo (second stint)

On June 3, 2022, Álvarez signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League.[21] Appearing in 52 games for Saltillo, Álvarez slashed .282/.341/.605 with 17 home runs and 53 RBI.

Mariachis de Guadalajara

On February 13, 2023, Álvarez signed with the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League.[22] In 21 games, he batted .308/.353/.462 with 1 home run and 11 RBIs. Álvarez was released on May 16, 2023.[23]

References

  1. ^ Encina, Eduardo A. (July 24, 2013). "Orioles officially announce signing of Cuban outfielder Dariel Alvarez". baltimoresun.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  2. ^ Steve Melewski (August 22, 2013). "Despite one unfavorable scouting report, Dariel Alvarez is off to a hot start". Masnsports.com. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  3. ^ Encina, Eduardo A. (August 26, 2013). "Orioles promote Dariel Alvarez to Double-A Bowie, release Lew Ford". baltimoresun.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  4. ^ "Orioles prospects Hunter Harvey, Dariel Alvarez named to Futures Game rosters". Baltimore Orioles.
  5. ^ "School of Roch: Orioles expected to call up Dariel Alvarez (Alvarez not joining team today)". MASNsports.
  6. ^ "Tides outfielder Dariel Alvarez to join Orioles". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  7. ^ "MLB.com Gameday". Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  8. ^ "Orioles notes: Kevin Gausman aims for second week of season; Dariel Alvarez optioned to Triple-A". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  9. ^ "Orioles make flurry of roster moves before series opener at Dodger Stadium". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  10. ^ Schmuck, Peter. "Converted pitcher Dariel Alvarez injures elbow, appears headed for Tommy John surgery". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  11. ^ Meoli, Jon. "Orioles acquire left-hander Andrew Faulkner from Texas Rangers, release Dariel Álvarez". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 4, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  12. ^ "Top MLB Prospects, Scouting Reports, Analysis".
  13. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2018". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  14. ^ "Dariel Álvarez reforzará a Toros de Tijuana" (in Spanish). January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  15. ^ "Mexican League Cancels 2020 Season". July 2020.
  16. ^ "ダリエル・アルバレス選手入団のお知らせ ("News of the Dariel Álvarez joining")". Ibaraki Astroplanets (in Japanese). December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  17. ^ @NPB_Reddit (July 11, 2021). "Softbank Hawks have acquired former Baltimore Orioles OF Dariel Álvarez. Dariel was playing for the Ibaraki Astro P…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "Fukuoka Softbank Hawks Press release 2021/07/21(水) ダリエル・アルバレス選手入団のお知らせ". Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site (in Japanese). July 21, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  19. ^ "Sports Nippon baseball news ソフトバンク・アルバレスが18打席目でうれしい初安打 6回に中前打". Sports Nippon (in Japanese). August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  20. ^ "LLEGA EL PODER DE DARIEL ÁLVAREZ A SULTANES". sultanes.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  21. ^ "REGRESA EL PODER DE DARIEL ÁLVAREZ A SARAPEROS DE SALTILLO". saraperos.com.mx (in Spanish). June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  22. ^ "Mariachis: El cubano Dariel Álvarez llega a la Perla Tapatía".
  23. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 16 de mayo de 2023". MiLB.com (in Spanish). May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.