Tony Plate - ALONSO OFF TO A GOOD START

FIRST UP - PETE ALONSO:

New York Mets rookie first baseman Pete Alonso is off to a good start with six home runs. He hit a rocket to straight away centerfield the other night to help the Mets defeat the Atlanta Braves 6-3. The ball landed into the scenic water-backdrop high above the centerfield wall. 

He has good power and likes the ball low, then when he is able to extend his arms, he usually hits the ball to right-center field. So, the strategy for any pitcher would be to pitch him inside and a little high so he would not be able to extend his arms. 

When Alonso competed for the first-base job in spring training along with Dom Smith and Todd Frazier. He got off to a good start with the bat by hitting a two- run homer against the Braves in the Mets first spring training game. He hit 36 homers with 119 runs batted in with a .975 OPS at two levels in the minor leagues last season, but the Mets did not call him up, because of his defensive deficiency at first base. 

Alonso was determined at the very beginning to work hard on his defense throughout the whole spring training and play the best he can consistently to make the parent club. His hard work paid off which has helped him to get off to a very good start. It will be interesting to see what the Mets will do when Frazier comes off the disabled list, because someone perhaps Smith who has options will have to be sent to the minor leagues.

MOVING ON TO JASON VARGAS:

I noticed that some members of the media are disappointed with Jason Vargas’s performance thus far. His earned run average through several games is 14.21. 

They are hoping that the Mets would try to sign former Houston Astro and free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel who does have playoff experience and when he pitched for the Astros, he was very tough on the New York Yankees as New York sports fans are aware. 

I’m surprised that nobody signed Keuchel at the beginning of free agency after last season.  I would like to point out that Vargas did pitch well during the latter part of last season. So, hopefully he can turn things around. 

Brodie Van Wagenen gave Vargas a vote of confidence. He said that Vargas is their fifth starter and they’re not going to make any drastic changes after Vargas had that one bad inning on Saturday night against the Atlanta Braves where he had a schedule that was derailed. 

Vargas has proved that when he pitches on regular rest and takes his regular turn, he pitches good. 

The Mets said they would push his next start a game back so, he would be scheduled to pitch perhaps next Saturday. 

When Keuchel’s name was brought up Van Wagenen said they have confidence in the guys here including Vargas, however he will still monitor the situation for a possible upgrade.