Has anyone seen the new and improved Pedro Alvaraz? I think we can all agree that El Toro entered spring training looking pretty heavy and this lead to a disastrous performance in the GFL. Alvarez batted .133 and struck out a dismal 43.3% of the time. Things didn't improve at the start of the season either when he hit .203 in April and .207 in May with only 8 homers through the two months. Then he flipped the switch and was dominant in June and July hitting .258 and belting 13 hrs in the two months. He stayed fairly hot the rest of the way until September. It's no coincidence that the Pirates were playing their best baseball in 20 years during the span that Alvarez was swinging a hot stick. When Pedro gets on a tear he's one of the most feared hitters in the league and can turn a game around in one swing of the bat. I also think that it's no coincidence that in June Pedro finally got into shape. This year Pedro already looks to be in the best shape that I've seen him. Take a look here: http://www.imgacademy.com/blog/2013-02-01/getting-know-pittsburgh-pirates-neil-walker-and-pedro-alvarez If Pedro can start the season off hot and continue it through the season I feel good about the Pirates chances this year.Let me know what you think

P.S. Hopefully him and Walker's use of the vision training can get them hitting like Cutch.