Tom Brennan - DON'T LOOK BACK, ALONSO'S COMING
Met fans (me included) clamored for Dominic Smith to be called up - what are they waiting for?? - but Sandy left him in Vegas for seasoning.
Well, so far Dom is struggling: 11 for 67, 2 walks...not good.
Uhh, Dom, don't look back, Pete Alonso is gaining on you.
Pete has gone 11 for 33 with 6 extra base hits since he was promoted to AA, and Alonso has been on a complete tear in the 69 games since June 19:
86 for 260 (.331), 24 doubles, a triple, 16 HRs and 57 RBIs.
Project those power #'s over 150 games and you'd get 52 doubles, 35 HRs, and 124 RBIs.
Smile-inducing #'s.
Dom has some time to prove he is the man for the next decade at first base - but Alonso looks like a beast. A beast that is gaining on him.
DON'T LOOK BACK.
Morning Tom
ReplyDeleteThe more I see of Dom Smith, the more I fall in love with Alonso.
Mack, I hope Smith blossoms (not weight-wise, playing-baseball-wise). But the idea of a guy who could be a threat annually to hit 40 homers at first base, which I think Pete could do, is very appealing to me.
ReplyDeleteAnd as Smith is shielded from lefties and still hitting .160, the righty Alonso I think will prove to be lethal against lefties and very competent against righties.
Smith has to count his blessings Pete missed 40+ games last year and about the same # this year with two broken hand injuries. Had he not gotten hurt those two times, limiting his career to date to just 121 games, he'd be in AAA and really breathing down Smith's neck - already.
121 career games, 39 doubles, 23 homers, 84 RBIs, 93 Ks, .297. Wow. Like I wrote once before, it has a Harmon Killebrew feel to it.
Wasn't it Mack who offered up Willie Mays as an example of a guy who didn't get it right away? Mike Trout was another. I'm not putting Smith in that class, but the reason he's up here now is to learn what the major leagues are all about and how he'll have to make adjustments over the winter (including in his waistline).
ReplyDeleteReese, didn't Mack say the same thing about Lou Gehrig when he was covering the Yanks back in the 1920's? :)
ReplyDeleteIs Alonso versatile enough to play LF in 2 years? Then you tell (not ask) Cespedes to play RF!!! I live Doms glove at 1st
ReplyDeleteMack was the the guy who instructed Willie Keeler NOT to hit into the shift, but elsewhere (I forget how he put it).
ReplyDeleteZozo, I do not think he is an OF - slow afoot. I understand prior to turning pro, he played some 3B - probably not well - and has played none in the pros.
ReplyDeleteHobie, Mack was also very impressed when he reported on Jack Chesbro winning his 41st game one season just after the turn of the 20th century :)
No impressed by Smith so far. Hope for better shape and results next year. If not Flores to 1B until Alonso comes along.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, can this kid breathe through his nose? he seems to have his mouth open all the time. Can he have his nasal passage blocked like John Niese did?
Viper, maybe Smith can ask Beltran to pay for nasal surgery - just kidding, hopefully. I would have no problem with Flores at first base next year if Smith can't cut it. He might need another year in the minors. Flores could give us .280/25 homers/90 RBIs
ReplyDeleteFlores won't ever get the chance until there's a new sheriff in town.
ReplyDeleteAlonso 2 for 4 tonight in a 1-0 win. Pounding Pete.
ReplyDelete