Paul Articulates - The Barrel Brothers

There is an old Polka called the Beer Barrel Polka that some of you old-timers would recognize.  It starts with the line, “Roll out the barrel, we’ll have a barrel of fun”.  Don’t worry - I’m not here to begin an accordion jam at a Polish keg party, I’m here to celebrate the Mets’ two barrel-chested boppers in the middle of the lineup.

Since he joined the Mets, Dan Vogelbach has spent some time in the lineup just behind Pete Alonso and when they are back-to-back, the opposing pitchers have a lot to worry about because these two can really put a barrel on a baseball.  As if that is not enough, both of them can frustrate a pitcher with a fairly disciplined eye so if a hurler wants to induce some chases early in the count, he’s only going to find himself behind in the count.

Let’s take a look at these two sluggers.

Pete Alonso has been recognized as the top power hitter on the Mets since his breakout 2019 season when he hit 53 home runs and drove in 120.  He dipped a bit in 2020 but came back with a good year in ’21 and then has shown continuous improvement this year.   His chase rate is down, batting average is up, and he appears to be hitting to all fields more.  At the all-star break, his 77 RBI was a record for Mets players, and he is steadily moving towards the Mets’ season record of 124. 

I like Pete’s swing – very simple and short, he fully engages his powerful wrists to accelerate bat towards ball.  There was another slugger that wore number 44 that maximized his powerful wrists, but Pete needs to hit a boatload more balls out of the park before we make that comparison.  For now, let’s just say he has an improving eye and a great stroke.  His numbers bear this out – this year as of game 101, he is slashing .276/.352/.541 with 26 dingers and 85 RBI.  Statistically, he is tenth in MLB with 45 extra base hits, and his 147 wRC+ and 2.6 WAR are both third among NL first basemen.

Alonso’s great attitude and power hitting make him a fan favorite, and although he is a long way from becoming a gold glove first baseman, he is driven to improve his defense.  He also needs to work on his slide, because it is a scary sight to see him barreling around the bases and launching into a dirt pond belly flop.

Dan Vogelbach is quickly becoming a fan favorite in New York as he belts his way into the middle of the lineup.  A massive man at 6’0, 270lb, Vogelbach sports his 9 letter last name on a jersey with shoulders wide enough to contain 15.  With the Mets, he is slashing .333/.529/.500 in 17 plate appearances.

I enjoy watching his at-bats for several reasons.   First, he steps back from the plate between pitches, tics & twitches, adjusts his shirt, and then steps into a very quiet stance.  He lets the ball travel further than anyone else I have seen, and then snaps his compact swing into action lacing a ball in the gap.  This year Vogelbach is sporting a .916 OPS against right-handed pitching with 24 XBHs in only 183 at-bats.  The other trait he has already demonstrated is his great eye.  He will coolly watch close pitches fly by for a ball, but when there are two strikes he can protect the plate well.  This fits well with the current Mets team, who frustrate pitchers by prolonging at-bats by taking pitches and fouling off borderline strikes. 

Vogelbach is currently filling a role as a DH against right-handed pitching but can also fill when needed at first base where he played competently at Milwaukee in 2021.  If the Mets can pair him up with a right-handed power bat to platoon at the DH spot for the rest of the year, the lineup will be poised to do a lot of damage in the next few months.

So here’s to the “barrel brothers” Pete Alonso and Daniel Vogelbach!  Let’s have a barrel of fun!