Kevin Alvarez gives Astros another talented Cuban Alvarez on the way
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Lorenzo Delgado, Contributor
- July 12, 2026
Top Astros prospect Kevin Alvarez, 18, proudly represents Cuba
PHILADELPHIA – While top Astros prospects Kevin Alvarez and Xavier Neyens boarded a flight from North Carolina to Philadelphia, they discussed how eager they were to showcase their skills at Sunday’s MLB All-Star Futures Game.
Neyens, the Astros’ No. 2 prospect, had the opportunity to play at Globe Life Field in 2024. In addition, Houston drafted him 21st overall in last year’s draft. Alvarez, who is rated as the Astros’ top prospect, signed for $2 million as an international free agent in January 2025.
The young Cuban slugger told Neyens that Sunday’s game at Citizens Bank Park would mark the first time he’d ever played in a Major League Baseball stadium. Neyens couldn’t believe it.
“When I got the news I was in shock right away,” Alvarez said of being selected for the MLB Futures Game. “They called me into the office, and well it happened. It’s something super special because it’s something (that is reflective) of all the hard work I’ve been doing, sacrifice. And everything, for as little (or big) as it might be, is what has helped us get here.”
No. 67 prospect in MLB
Alvarez is currently ranked No. 67 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects. In 63 games, Alvarez is hitting .267 with 69 hits, 19 doubles, seven home runs, and 36 RBI. Furthermore, he’s slugging .438, and has collected a .767 OPS.
Neyens has had a front row seat to watch his teammate talent all season. The two participated in Astros spring training and in MLB’s Spring Breakout game this past March. Now, they share the same field in Fayetteville. Neyens is still amazed by what his 18-year-old Cuban teammate is capable of on the field.
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“It’s unreal,” Neyens said of Alvarez. “I was with him in January camp, pre-spring training when he was still 17 years old, turned 18 in January camp. He’s young. He can hit for power. His bat-to-ball is insane, and obviously he can play a heck of a center field.
“For him to be as young as he is, he should be a senior in high school. It’s nuts to think that he’s out here at such a young age, especially by himself. It’s not easy at all being on the road, but such a young age, the way the guy carries himself and plays the game is unreal.”
The future is bright for Cuban baseball players. As of today, the Midsummer Classic features a Major League-leading seven Cuban born players, and two Cuban American players. The White Sox’s Miguel Vargas, Braves’ Raisel Iglesias, Dodgers’ Andy Pages, Reds’ Sal Stewart and Rays’ Nick Martinez are first-time All-Stars.
‘Representing my pueblo‘
Kevin Alvarez continues to embrace his Cuban roots, even though he’s far from his native land of Colon, Cuba.
“A lot,” Kevin Alvarez said of what it means to represent Cuba. “Truly, to be here representing Cuba is super. I have a lot of things here with the flag to represent.”
Astros star Yordan Alvarez earned his fourth All-Star Game selection after putting together what many would argue was the best first half of his career. The Las Tunas, Cuba, native is hitting .315 with 31 home runs and 70 RBIs.
Yordan Alvarez remains in the Triple Crown race as he continues his pursuit of one of baseball’s rarest and most prestigious accomplishments. The 2022 World Series champion leads the American League in home runs and RBIs while ranking second in batting average.
Kevin Alvarez “asked me a couple of questions,” Yordan Alvarez said to MLB.com during a spring training game. “I noticed it was the first time he faced Major League pitching, so then the second at-bat he was a little more relaxed and hit the ball really good.”
This was just step one to Kevin Alvarez’s journey. He finished the MLB Futures All-Star Game playing left field. Offensively, he was hit by a pitch and scored a run.
Kevin Alvarez hasn’t received a call from any of the Astros players, including Yordan Alvarez. Nonetheless, you can say Houston currently has the present and the future representing well in the City of Brotherly Love.
Lorenzo Delgado
Contributor
Lorenzo Delgado earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and his master’s degree from the University of Houston. He is currently the Director of Baseball Content at Our Esquina, where he has spent the past four years. Previously, Delgado was a contributing baseball writer for Call to the Pen on the FanSided Network. He also hosts the Astros-focused podcast Full Seam Ahead, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.
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