Abe Alvarez - Assistant Coach - Staff Directory - Long Beach State University Athletics

Staff Directory

Abe Alvarez

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Assistant Coach
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A former Major League pitcher and accomplished collegiate coach, Abe Alvarez brings coaching experience at the Division I, high school, and professional levels to the LBSU staff.

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.