Pete Alonso is tearing the cover off of the ball this season taking advantage of pitcher’s mistakes and the superstar talent around him. After signing a $54 million, two-year contract in February, he is making the New York Mets very happy that they made the investment. And with Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto hitting in front of him, he is getting an opportunity to hit some fat pitches and drive in runs as teams look to pitch around the hard-hitting Soto.
Alonso was a late signee this spring as fellow first basemen Christian Walker, Paul Goldschmidt, and Carlos Santana signed lucrative contracts before him. But the sky is the limit for Pete and even a little media-infused controversy cannot distract him from his goal of pounding the ball.
Pete Alonso is “El Fuego”
No doubt about it, Pete Alonso is in the “zone.” For the year he has hit five home runs, driven in 21 runs, scored 12 times and carries a slash line of .365/.474/.730. And to drive the point home further, in his last 46 at-bats, Alonso has hit four homers, has 17 RBI. 10 runs scored and is sporting a .870 slugging percentage. He attributes his hot start to a recalibration of his swing during the offseason where he has regained the rhythm to his swing. About his hot start, Pete said.
“Honestly, just feeling like myself, Pitch to pitch, at-bat to at-bat. I mean, again, I just want to make quality swing decisions and just put the ball in play hard when pitchers come over the plate. I mean, just play freely and just feel like I’m in control.”
Playoff Spark and Moving Up the Record Book
This is really just a continuation from Alonso’s performance in the playoffs last year when he was on fire. In 13 games, he launched four taters, knocked in 10 runs, and scored 10 times to lead the Mets all the way to the National League Championship series where they lost to the eventual World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.
And as Alonso continues his assault on MLB pitches, he is starting to climb the Mets All-Time list for homers hit. He is now just 11 home runs away from tying David West for second place on that list. Darryl Strawberry is number one on the franchise list with 252.
Juan Soto and the Media Circus
Even a media storm caused by a Soto comment cannot deter Alonso from his mission. In an interview with the New York Post, Soto was asked if he’s seeing a change in how pitchers are coming at him this season without David Judge hitting behind him. And he responded.
“It’s definitely different. I had the best hitter in baseball hitting behind me. I was getting more attacked and more pitches in the strike zone, less intentional walks and things like that. I was pitched differently last year.”
To Alonso’s credit he didn’t take the bait. He has mostly stayed quite in the aftermath, but he did tell NorthJersey.com.
“It’s great. He’s on base a ton. He puts together really great at-bats. Obviously, he’s a stud, so I think having him over the course of the year, it’s gonna be great.”
What’s Ahead
If Alonso continues his torrid ways, he will certainly be invited to his fourth All-Star Game and will be a strong MVP candidate at seasons end. The scary part is that the player hitting ahead of him in the lineup, Soto, and the one hitting behind him Jesse Winker are mired in season long slumps. Once they get fired up, Mets fans at Citi Field are in for a fun and successful summer.
