Breaking down Pedro Alvarez's highly anticipated debut

By John Perrotto

Pedro Alvarez may go on to great things some day. In fact, the Pirates are counting on it as they see the slugging left-handed third baseman as one of the centerpieces, along with second-year center fielder Andrew McCutchen, of a youth movement that has started in earnest in recent weeks.

However, Alvarez's major-league debut was anything but great.. The 23-year-old went 0-for-2 with a walk, a strikeout and an error as the Pirates' losing streak reached 10 games when they fell 7-2 to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night at PNC Park.

Alvarez was recalled earlier in the day from Class AAA Indianapolis. With his parents, sister and fiancé looking on, he hit sixth in the Pirates' batting order against White Sox left-hander John Danks.

Though he went hitless, Alvarez showed good plate discipline as he saw six pitches in each of his three plate appearances. His first time up in the second inning, Alvarez struck out swinging at a 3-2 fastball.