I've seen plenty talking about him, and did some Google searching but I still don't feel like I know enough about the guy. What really got my attention is the following passage I found regarding him and Cuban counterpart Diaz.

Peter Bjarkman, the author of books about Cuban baseball, said conversations with scouts confirmed his own impressions of Diaz as a heady player without great physical skills.

"He's certainly no Alexei Ramirez as far as range, glove or arm,'' Bjarkman said, referring to the Chicago White Sox shortstop and Cuba native. "He's nowhere near in the same category. He's a good, solid player who doesn't make a lot of mistakes, but he doesn't have any overwhelming tools."

Alvarez, 24, played in six Cuban league seasons. He enjoyed a breakthrough year when he batted .363 in 2010-11 but dropped off markedly afterward and averaged less than eight homers a season. His most impressive skill is his arm, and Torres said some teams may consider Alvarez as a pitcher, especially since he did some relief work in his first three seasons.

Does anyone know more about this report, or have anything to refute it? I've seen some people claim he would start for the Mets this season and others say he would need to start in AA ball. I'm just looking for some edjamacation.