SYRACUSE — The Francisco Alvarez who reported to Triple-A Syracuse, after a demotion he did not see coming, is the same bright-eyed, smiling, grinding Alvarez who long has been beloved in the organization.

“He’s smart, he cares,” top pitching prospect Brandon Sproat said. “He’s been great.”

“First day, came over and gave me a huge hug, asked about my family,” said the rehabbing Brooks Raley. “Big smile on his face. I think I’ve seen him work his tail off.”

“The day he got here, he was ready to work and committed to being better,” said Syracuse bench coach and Alvarez confidant J.P. Arencibia, who described his attitude as “unbelievable.”