As MLB Draft departures loom, the Miami Hurricanes reload behind the plate with defensive standout Alonzo Alvarez and key additions to secure a solid rotation for the 2027 season.
MIAMI, Fla. – Following last weekend’s MLB Draft, the Miami Hurricanes are bracing to lose in-state star catcher Alex Sosa, who was selected by the Athletics with the 172nd pick (12th round). After two years at North Carolina State, the local Viera native returned to Florida and made the most of a special opportunity.
Sosa batted .338 with a 1.119 OPS, including 75 hits in 22 at-bats, 16 doubles, two triples, 71 runs batted in, 18 home runs, and 149 total bases in 59 games (all starts) – all new career highs. The 21-year-old has until July 27 to officially decide whether to pursue a dream of playing Major League baseball or return to college for a senior season.
Regardless, the Hurricanes have a new catcher depth to navigate behind the plate.
Alonzo Alvarez delivered an immediate impact upon arriving at the Coral Gables campus as a freshman. He batted .341 with a .990 OPS, including 57 hits in 167 at-bats, 13 doubles, two triples, 32 runs batted in, six home runs, and 92 total bases in 51 games (45 starts).
Behind the plate, Alvarez logged 256 putouts in 280 total chances, plus 20 assists. He caught 12 base-runners stealing on 20 attempts. The 20-year-old only committed four errors and one passed ball.
Alvarez is one of the program’s most prolific players ahead of the 2027 college baseball season and should be an early candidate for ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
The backup and midweek slot is available, but Jose Lopez III will likely earn the job. The GCU transfer had a productive season for the Antelopes as a freshman: batted .248 with a .761 OPS, including 30 hits in 121 at-bats, nine doubles, a triple, 17 runs batted in, and five home runs in 36 games (31 starts).
Defensively, Lopez III was primarily featured in the infield, but that’s unlikely where the Hurricanes plan to utilize him. He was ranked the 28th-best catcher in the 2025 high-school class, according to Perfect Game. Lopez III returns home – a Miami native – following a stint in the desert.
Filling in at third string on the depth chart is likely incoming freshman Devin Diaz. The New York native attended Iona Preparatory and batted .408 with a 1.181 OPS, including 29 hits in 71 at-bats, eight doubles, 13 runs batted in, and three home runs in 26 games as a senior.
Diaz will have a valuable veteran in Alvarez to learn what it takes to find success behind the plate in a Power Four conference. Along with a couple of new catchers, the Hurricanes revamped the pitching staff with nine transfers, including Blake Morningstar.
Coach J.D. Arteaga will have several voids to fill, but the catcher position appears to be in order.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
