Former Dirtbags Pitcher and MLB Vet Abe Alvarez Returns to Long Beach State as Assistant Baseball Coach
7/29/2025 10:00:00 AM | Baseball
Former All-American and World Series Champion brings an elite pitching pedigree and proven coaching success back to the Beach.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State head baseball coach TJ Bruce announced today the hiring of former Dirtbags All-American Abe Alvarez as an assistant baseball coach. A former Major League pitcher and accomplished collegiate coach, Alvarez brings coaching experience at the Division I, high school, and professional levels to the LBSU staff.
"I'm very excited to welcome Abe and his family back to Dirtbag Nation," Bruce said. "Abe has a proven track record from his time as an All-American baseball player at Long Beach State, World Series Champion, followed by a coaching career that has seen him continue to find increasing success as a pitching coach."
"It is an incredible feeling to be coming back home and to be a Dirtbag once again," Alvarez said. "My family and I are excited to be back with our loved ones and enjoy the beauty of Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. Thank you to TJ Bruce and the administration for allowing me to represent this beautiful Long Beach community."
Alvarez joins Long Beach State after serving as the pitching coach at BYU since July 2022, where he made a significant impact in just two seasons. In 2024, he coached right-hander Ben Hansen to a 20th-round selection by the Boston Red Sox—the Cougars' first-ever player drafted by the franchise. Under Alvarez's guidance, reliever Stone Cushing led the Big 12 with 10 saves and earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors alongside starter Mason Olson. In 2023, he helped Boston Mabeus secure Honorable Mention All-West Coast Conference honors.He coached three pitchers to MLB Draft selections during his time in Reno: Grant Ford (2019), Ryan Anderson (2019), and Owen Sharts (2021).
Alvarez began his coaching career at the high school level, serving in various roles at Cerritos and St. Bernard High Schools in Southern California from 2012–2019. At St. Bernard, he also held the titles of teacher and dean of students, while leading the baseball program to its first league title in 30 years and to back-to-back CIF quarterfinal appearances.
Alvarez's playing career was equally impressive. A second-round pick (49th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in the 2003 MLB Draft, he made his Major League debut just one year later—marking the fastest rise from Single-A to the majors in franchise history. He was the youngest member of the 2004 World Series Champion Red Sox, pitching in parts of three seasons before retiring in 2009.
A Long Beach State standout from 2001–2003, Alvarez posted a 23–5 career record and 2.56 ERA, earning 2003 Big West Pitcher of the Year honors and second-team All-American accolades. He helped the Dirtbags to an NCAA Super Regional appearance in 2003 and represented Team USA at the 2002 University Games, winning a silver medal. Alvarez holds a bachelor's degree in history from Long Beach State (2011) and a master's in secondary education from Loyola Marymount (2017). He and his wife, Natalie, are the proud parents of two children, Isabella, and Benjamin.
"As one of the greatest Dirtbag Pitchers in program history, Abe is very familiar with our program and our wonderful Long Beach Community," said Bruce. "We are excited to bring Abe's wealth of knowledge, his relationships and his desire to develop and lead the Dirtbag pitching staff back to the program that has seen pitchers develop into all Americans then MLB Players. We are excited to add the Alvarez family to one of the nation's premiere brands, Dirtbag Baseball. Welcome Home."
"I'm very excited to welcome Abe and his family back to Dirtbag Nation," Bruce said. "Abe has a proven track record from his time as an All-American baseball player at Long Beach State, World Series Champion, followed by a coaching career that has seen him continue to find increasing success as a pitching coach."
"It is an incredible feeling to be coming back home and to be a Dirtbag once again," Alvarez said. "My family and I are excited to be back with our loved ones and enjoy the beauty of Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. Thank you to TJ Bruce and the administration for allowing me to represent this beautiful Long Beach community."
Alvarez joins Long Beach State after serving as the pitching coach at BYU since July 2022, where he made a significant impact in just two seasons. In 2024, he coached right-hander Ben Hansen to a 20th-round selection by the Boston Red Sox—the Cougars' first-ever player drafted by the franchise. Under Alvarez's guidance, reliever Stone Cushing led the Big 12 with 10 saves and earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors alongside starter Mason Olson. In 2023, he helped Boston Mabeus secure Honorable Mention All-West Coast Conference honors.He coached three pitchers to MLB Draft selections during his time in Reno: Grant Ford (2019), Ryan Anderson (2019), and Owen Sharts (2021).
Alvarez began his coaching career at the high school level, serving in various roles at Cerritos and St. Bernard High Schools in Southern California from 2012–2019. At St. Bernard, he also held the titles of teacher and dean of students, while leading the baseball program to its first league title in 30 years and to back-to-back CIF quarterfinal appearances.
Alvarez's playing career was equally impressive. A second-round pick (49th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in the 2003 MLB Draft, he made his Major League debut just one year later—marking the fastest rise from Single-A to the majors in franchise history. He was the youngest member of the 2004 World Series Champion Red Sox, pitching in parts of three seasons before retiring in 2009.
A Long Beach State standout from 2001–2003, Alvarez posted a 23–5 career record and 2.56 ERA, earning 2003 Big West Pitcher of the Year honors and second-team All-American accolades. He helped the Dirtbags to an NCAA Super Regional appearance in 2003 and represented Team USA at the 2002 University Games, winning a silver medal. Alvarez holds a bachelor's degree in history from Long Beach State (2011) and a master's in secondary education from Loyola Marymount (2017). He and his wife, Natalie, are the proud parents of two children, Isabella, and Benjamin.
"As one of the greatest Dirtbag Pitchers in program history, Abe is very familiar with our program and our wonderful Long Beach Community," said Bruce. "We are excited to bring Abe's wealth of knowledge, his relationships and his desire to develop and lead the Dirtbag pitching staff back to the program that has seen pitchers develop into all Americans then MLB Players. We are excited to add the Alvarez family to one of the nation's premiere brands, Dirtbag Baseball. Welcome Home."
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