The son of a big leaguer, Omar Alfonzo, was signed out of Venezuela during the 2019 International signing period by the Pirates. It was an August signing, so due to COVID, he didn’t make his pro debut until 2021, playing 39 games in the Dominican.

This past season, Alfonzo spent his first 67 games with the Greensboro Grasshoppers, hitting .261/.389/.440 with 11 home runs and a 141 wRC+. He was then moved to Altoona, where he struggled a bit more while his strikeout rate rose. 

A catcher by trade, Alfonzo has a strong throwing arm, gunning down 35% of base stealers in 2025, but he’s on the bigger side for the position, leading to some concern about him ending up at first base down the road. 

He’s posted solid contact rates most everywhere that he goes, but there’s a chance that he may have to sacrifice some of that in the upper levels to lean into his plus raw power. He’ll also have to elevate the ball more if he wants to truly tap into his potential. The exit velocity numbers continue to improve, and there is 20+ home run power in his bat if it all comes together. 

The main question will be how much contact he will make in the upper levels, because even if he can’t catch, he’s a left-handed power bat that could play first base. 

Although he was Rule 5 eligible, he was left unprotected by the Pirates and eventually undrafted. Alfonzo should begin 2026 in Altoona, but could make it to Triple-A fairly quickly depending on his play.Â