Alvarez, who is of Mexican American descent, attended Long Beach State University, where he posted a 23–5 record with a 2.56 ERA in three seasons. As a junior in 2003, he was named an All-American by Baseball America after going 11–2 with a 2.35 ERA in 18 starts. He returned to Long Beach State in 2010 to complete a bachelor\'s degree in history and is the undergraduate assistant pitching coach for the university\'s baseball team, known as The Dirtbags.\n', '

Signed by the Boston Red Sox in 2003 after being drafted 49th overall, Alvarez made his professional debut with the short-season Single-A Lowell Spinners. He posted no record and did not allow an earned run in 19.0 innings over nine starts, struck out 19 and walked just two hitters. He limited opponents to a .138 batting average and did not walk a batter in his first six starts.\n', '

In 2004, Alvarez was named Pitcher of the Year for Double-A Portland Sea Dogs after going 10–9 with a 3.59 ERA in 26 starts in his first full pro season. He limited opposite hitters to a .252 average, posted a 3.4 strikeout-to-walk ratio (108-to-32), and was also named to the Eastern League\'s mid-season All-Star team.\n', '

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