The 23-year-old German middle infielder Anderson Alvarez Echavarria is joining the Pulheim Gophers in the upcoming season in the German Baseball-Bundesliga. After beginning his career with the Hilden Wains he transferred to the Cologne Cardinals in 2006 and played there since. He made his Bundesliga debut at the age of 19 in 2007. In 84 games at the top level in German Baseball, Alvarez batted .357/.396/.432 with 46 stolen bases, 78 runs and 36 RBI. Last year he appeared only in nine games for the Cards, going 8-for-34 with five runs and a RBI. The Gophers plan to use him as leadoff hitter and in the middle infield.