Pirates Top 30 Prospects No. 19: Omar Alfonzo’s Breakout Year

This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects.

A 6-foot-1, 180 pound catcher with a knack for getting on base, Omar Alfonzo was one of the lone bright spots during a rough 2024 season for the Bradenton Marauders.

He slashed .253/.353/.388 with 15 doubles and 8 home runs in 86 games for Bradenton, then his numbers took a leap upon promotion to hitter-friendly Greensboro.

Alfonzo is a lefty bat, a rarity at catcher that could give the Pirates a boost in lineup versatility should he make the big leagues someday. Now 21 years old, Alfonzo signed with Pittsburgh in 2019. Although he was born in the United States while his father, MLB journeyman Eliézer Alfonzo, played for the St. Paul Saints (then an independent league team), Alfonzo signed an international free agent deal and first came up through the Pirates’ Dominican Summer League system.

The COVID-19 induced cancellation of the 2020 minor league season meant that Alfonzo didn’t make his professional debut until 2021, when he broke into the Dominican league. He played sparingly until this past season, when he became an everyday starter for Bradenton and hit 13 home runs and 17 doubles in 110 games, the best power rate of his career by far.

The Pirates have a logjam at catcher between 2021 first overall pick Henry Davis, Endy Rodríguez and Joey Bart, but the demanding physical nature of the position makes having extra options a necessity.

Another factor to keep in mind is that Alfonzo grew up around the big leagues: baseball runs in his family and another relative, Edgardo Alfonzo, is a former Mets All-Star. At a position like catcher where intangibles reign supreme, that could give him a boost… look at the success of the Molina brothers.

All in all, Alfonzo’s steady defense and developing bat make him a prospect to watch as he continues to climb through the minors.