Alvarez was one of the top 3 hitters in the league for his rookie season. Shouldn't he be higher than 6th in this lineup? Why not 3rd or 4th?
Baker apparently loves alternating righty/lefty. It has been awhile since his rookie season. Lineups will be flexible for the season. there are a lot of good hitters on this team. Somebody has to bat 6th.
He basically missed all of last season, and a lot of Spring Training. He struggled for the most part in what time he did have this Spring. So, it's a reasonable assumption to make that he still isn't in form yet. Once he starts beasting I'm sure he'll be right back in cleanup.
Given that he can't really move very well, you'd also rather have Alvarez trying to drive in Bregman, Tucker, and Correa, rather than those guys trying to drive in Alvarez.