Tigres del Licey select Hayden Álvarez as first pick of the 2026 Draft
The Tigres del Licey have taken a firm step in their strengthening strategy by selecting Dominican outfielder Hayden Álvarez as the first pick of the 2026 Rookie Draft. With this selection, the blue team seeks to inject young talent and versatility into their roster for the upcoming Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) season.
Álvarez, a 19-year-old prospect from Bonao, stands out for his imposing 6-foot-3, 190-pound physique. His professional development has been meteoric since the Los Angeles Angels signed him as an international free agent in 2024 for a $685,000 bonus, currently establishing himself as the organization’s third-best prospect.
The backing of the blue board
Audo Vicente, the team’s general manager and vice president of Baseball Operations, expressed his satisfaction following the selection, underscoring that the young outfielder possesses the physical and technical conditions to positively impact the team upon his arrival.
We are selecting a tremendous athlete whose tools must make an impact on our organization.
Audo Vicente, General Manager of the Tigres del Licey
Álvarez’s technical profile is extremely attractive to the Licey coaching staff, standing out in the following aspects:
- Excellent plate discipline and pitch recognition.
- Consistent contact ability from the right side.
- Elite speed and aggressiveness on the basepaths.
- High-level defense to cover the center field position.
Scout reports give Álvarez grades of 55 in hitting, 60 in speed, and 55 in defense, reaffirming his potential to become a key piece of winter baseball.
An upward trajectory
During the 2026 season, Álvarez demonstrated his offensive capability after his stint with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Class A) and his subsequent promotion to the Tri-City Dust Devils (Class A+) in August. His overall numbers reflect a .289 batting average, a .391 on-base percentage, and a .456 slugging percentage.
In addition, the young talent recorded 12 home runs, 32 doubles, and 5 triples. His impact on the field is also measured by his 108 runs scored, the second-highest figure in the entire Major League system, and his 53 stolen bases, setting a personal record and reaffirming his consistency by surpassing 30 steals in each of his three seasons as a professional.
With the addition of Álvarez, the Tigres del Licey are preparing for the start of the 2026-27 championship, which will have its opening day on October 16, when they face the Leones del Escogido at the Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal.
