Baseball’s Ignacio Alvarez Drafted by Atlanta Braves
Riverside City College third baseman Ignacio Alvarez was close to hanging up his cleats and calling it quits on the sport he loves prior to the 2022 season. With the challenges of the COVID-19 shutdown and other circumstances, he briefly saw the door closing.
After careful consideration and some persistence from Head Coach Rudy Arguelles, he decided otherwise and suited up for the Tigers. That decision his life changed forever.
On July 18, 2022 at approximately 12 p.m. pacific standard time, he heard his named called in the 2022 MLB First-Year Player's Draft by the Atlanta Braves as the 155th overall pick in the fifth round.
"It's a dream come true," said Alvarez. "I have been working my whole life for this moment and to hear my name called is a blessing."
The swift fielding, power hitting third baseman was a catalyst to the Tiger's success this season highlighted by leading his team to a 2022 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship, thus ending Riverside's 15-year title drought. His efforts earned him 2022 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-American status and Orange Empire Conference (OEC) First-Team All-Conference honors.
"RCC will forever hold a special place in my heart. I didn't know if I would even play this year. Coach Rudy gave me a chance and I ran with it. I don't know where I would be without him and RCC."
In 48 games, Alvarez hit .370 with 68 hits, 44 RBI, 57 runs scored, 16 doubles, four triples and five homeruns. He posted a .582 slugging percentage and .494 on base percentage. He recorded 21 multi-hit games and recorded at least one hit in 26 games. Furthermore, he held a 13 game hitting streak that stretched through the month of April leading into the state championship tournament. He reached safely in 15 of the last 16 games of the season.
"It's a great way to go out knowing that I will not be returning to RCC," said Alvarez. "It is bitter sweet. I left a champion and to think my that my name may be displayed on the right field wall one day is amazing."
Alvarez is the second-highest player to be drafted in RCC baseball history and joins the likes of World Series Champion Jesse Chavez in the Braves' organization. His name is added to a list of draftees that include Bobby Kielty, Chris Stewart, Jesse Chavez, Delwyn Young, Tommy Hansen and many more.
The last player to be drafted was Garrett Irvin '19. He was the 2019 OEC Pitcher of the Year and was tabbed as "Mr. Irrelevant" in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox. The last position player to be drafted was Daniel Martinez '18 by the Oakland Athletics.