PHILADELPHIA -- After José Alvarado got Atlanta’s Michael Harris II to ground out in Game 4 of the National League Division Series, manager Rob Thomson walked to the mound to make a pitching change.

As he walked off the mound, Alvarado raised his hands, encouraging the raucous Citizens Bank Park crowd to get out of their seats. It’s no secret fans in Philadelphia can be demanding, but Alvarado’s resurgence has turned him into a favorite. He’s become a key piece in a Phillies bullpen that has the club three wins shy of its first World Series since 2009.

“I’m just really happy to be here and know that I’m an integral part of the team,” Alvarado told MLB.com in Spanish. “I’m so thankful for this team and just thanking God for keeping me healthy and giving me the strength to contribute.”

Alvarado had a rough first two months of the 2022 season and was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on May 27. After making it back to the Majors on June 12, Alvarado finished the regular season with a 1.66 ERA from that point forward. He struck out 64 batters over 38 innings. Including a save in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against the Padres, the big left-hander has allowed at least one earned run in just six of his past 48 appearances.

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“He’s come such a long way for us. He’s one of the main reasons we’re here right now,” said Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto. “Any time we’ve handed him the ball, it feels like it’s gonna be a 1-2-3 inning with a couple of strikeouts. I know it doesn’t always work out that well, but that’s the confidence we have in him.”

On the field, the key for Alvarado has been some mechanical changes. He’s also throwing his cutter -- which sits at 94 mph -- with more frequency. Pair that with his dominant 100-101 mph sinker, and it’s no surprise why the 27-year-old has been this effective.

“He’s been pitching so well for a long time,” Thomson said. “He’s been the same guy, whether he’s pitching the seventh or the ninth. So [we have] complete trust in him wherever we put him.”

Alvarado has been able to be the same guy because of the growth he’s made off the field, which is what he credits for all of his success this season. He's dealt with family issues for the past few seasons and reported to 2019 Spring Training at nearly 300 pounds, attributing his weight gain to losing sight of his goals and his mother’s cooking.

“I just didn’t want to play baseball anymore,” Alvarado said. “But I wasn’t going to give away my future for anybody. I’m not going to give my job to anybody because everything that I have, so many other people would die for. I wasn’t going to let go of that.”

So, he sought help. He called his longtime agent, Felix Olivo, who put him in touch with a mental skills coach. Those conversations -- which happen every other day -- plus some intricate running drills have helped Alvarado find himself again. He now weighs around 235 pounds, similar to his dominant season with the Rays in 2018.

“If they’re giving you the opportunity to be here in the Majors and you’re not producing, they’re going to find someone who will,” he said. “But the key for me is that I never gave up.” 

It’s not the first time Alvarado’s perseverance has been on display. To fully understand why he feels at peace now, it’s important to remember just how far he’s come.

Alvarado hails from Zulia, one of the poorest areas in Venezuela. When he was 12, he had a gun pulled on him at a bodega because he won money playing cards. While most of his Phillies teammates grew up playing travel ball, Alvarado grew up needing to be aware of kidnappers at all times.

When Alvarado turned 14, he dropped out of school to help his family on the farm. His main duty was picking up guavas, passion fruit and plantains. Playing soccer was his goal at the time. Baseball wasn’t on the radar until his physical education teacher encouraged him to start pitching.

A few years later, it was evident Alvarado had a bright future ahead. At the time, Rays scout Ronnie Blanco said some evaluators compared him to a young Dontrelle Willis. Alvarado signed with Tampa Bay in 2012.

In 2015, however, Alvarado’s career almost came to an abrupt end when he was suspended by the Rays following an altercation with Rookie-ball manager Danny Sheaffer. Alvarado wondered if he had played his last professional game.

Alvarado apologized to the organization and returned for the 2016 season. A year later, he made his debut with the Rays as a 22-year-old. In ‘18, he became their best reliever.

“Not every path is going to be smooth,” said Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, who was in the Rays’ front office at the time. “This was one instance that we were very patient with him, stuck with him, and we were rewarded for our patience.” 

The Phillies are now reaping the benefits. They took a flier on Alvarado after their rocky '20 season, acquiring the left-hander in a three-team deal with the Rays and Dodgers. Philadelphia liked the arm talent but didn’t know exactly what to expect. Alvarado posted a 4.20 ERA in 64 appearances in ‘21 and would occasionally get booed off the mound. 

A year after joining the Phillies, Alvarado is back on top of his game -- on and off the field. He’s learned from every obstacle he’s had to overcome. Because of that, he feels the best is yet to come. 

“It was all just so hard,” Alvarado said. “I know so many people didn’t believe in me, they wanted to paint me as the bad guy. But now I just laugh and I feel happy because Alvarado is making it clear to the rest of the league that this isn’t the Alvarado of old."