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According to Lee head coach Mark Brew, Alvarez had a chance to sign an Independent League contract earlier in the week. "He held out on that opportunity and it paid off," said Brew.
Alvarez, who batted .406 and earned a .769 slugging percentage in helping lead the Flames to a 53-14 record and a third-place finish in the 2009 NAIA World Series, was a first-team All-American. He blasted 18 home runs and drove in 78 runs. Before transferring to Lee, the native of Boston, Mass. paced the nation in homers as a junior at Bacone (Okla.) College.
He will join former Lee pitcher Jeff Ibarra in the Arizona Rookie League. Alvarez becomes the third Lee player to sign with the Padres and scout Ashley Lawson. Lance Zawadzki inked with San Diego after the 2007 season and is now playing Double-A ball in San Antonio.
Alvarez is the third Flame to sign a minor league contract (most in a single season). Earlier in the week, shortstop Brian Bistagne inked a free-agent deal with the Minnesota Twins. After the 2007 season, Zawadzki and Michael Valadez were drafted and signed on with the Padres and Indians.
"I'm really excited Julian got this chance," said Brew. "He is one of the most talented players to take the field for the Flames and has several tools it takes to be successful at the next level (plus arm, plus runner, and good power). He definitely has the ability to advance and I look for him to have a solid professional career." | 
