By John Perrotto
Pedro Alvarez knows the expectations.
The slugging third baseman understands that Pirates’ fans see him as the savior of the franchise, the left-handed hitter who can wallop baseballs over the right-field stands at PNC Park and into the Allegheny River, the guy who can turn around a team hasn’t had a winning season since 1992.
However, Alvarez, who turns 23 on Saturday, is the least bit overwhelmed by the great things expected of him.
“I want the same things, too,” Alvarez said. “I want to play in the major leagues and be the type of player who makes a difference. I want to get to Pittsburgh and help make the Pirates a winner again. I’m not any different than the fans and I’m going to work hard to be the best player I can be. Nobody puts more pressure on me than I put on myself. “
The will to get better is why Alvarez spent most of the winter following his first season of professional baseball working out at the Athletes Performance Institute in Tempe, Ariz. He underwent a daily regimen that included waking up at 6 a.m., going through a strenuous morning workout and another one equally as difficult in the afternoon while also having his diet strictly supervised.
The best part is that Alvarez, who is listed at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds on the Pirates’ roster, took the initiative to go to API.
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