Pete Alonso had a nice game on Sunday vs. Philly, with his bases clearing double, and 3 more hits Monday night, his 23rd game of the season.
Why hasn't he played more?
Well, it might be because the Mets have only played 23 games so far.
Pete simply HATES to sit, which is a great thing. I’m like that with eating...ask me to skip a meal and I won’t take it sitting down.
Through 23 games, Alonso is hitting .282/.354/.529, with 5 HRs and 16 RBIs. That is a 35 HR, 112 RBI pace. Acceptable, I’d say.
In his rookie season, in 2019, he came out of the gate like a house on fire. In those first 23 games, .310/.408/.690, with 8 HRs and 21 RBIs. Ruthian.
Last year, through 23 games, Pete struggled mightily for the first 22 games before a strong game 23 in which he smacked two homers. Overall, in those first 23 games, he had a .241/.359/.448 slash and 5 HRs and 13 RBIs. Pedestrian.
So, in 2021, Pete sits somewhere equidistant from his 2019 explosive start and his 2020 frigid start.
He'd no doubt have more 2021 RBIs if Messrs. Lindor, especially, and McNeil, to a lesser degree, were getting on base more in front of him.
Hopefully, that will change PRONTO. Or let’s just replace one with another Francisco, Francisco Alvarez, who got on base FIVE times yesterday with 4 hits and a walk in the St. Lucie season opener.
Anyway, Pete has demonstrated that he worked really hard to (so far successfully) put the struggles of 2020 behind him.
More runners on base in front of him, and warmer temperatures to boot? The Polar Bear we all know is out of his cage and ready to roar.
Yes, I am feeling very positive about Pete in 2021.
After his rip-roaring start to 2019 through the All Star break, pitchers caught up with him to a decent degree.
He had to adjust. 2020 showed that. He scuffled.
He certainly looks like in 2021, he has adjusted, though, and adjusted well.
Will he give us 53/120 again in 2021?
Unlikely. But perhaps.
He has a head start this season on 1961's Roger Maris, who ended up with 61 HRs and 141 RBIs in that startling season, but through 23 games had just 3 HRs, 10 RBIs, and a .227/.375/.373 slash. “What’s with this guy Maris?” Then he exploded.
So, Pete, I'm still holding out for you to hit 62 and drive in 142 this year. No reason you can’t explode, too.
Your mission? OUTDO THE ROG. Simple.
Continuing on another topic, if you asked me who the worst hitter in Mets' history is, off the top of my head (and maybe you have someone else in mind)...
I'd say Don Bosch.
Some who know me might have asked why I didn't pick Keon Broxton.
My answer: I thought about it. But Bosch was worse.
Don Bosch was acquired in the same trade that the Mets made to acquire another Don, Cardwell, who I particularly liked despite a 20-34 Mets career record, due to sever lack of offensive support, and was a valuable pitcher in the 1969 World Series miracle season.
Bosch as a Met, though?
94 games, 223 plate appearances, .157/.210/.216, just 9 RBIs. Ouch.
Unfortunately, Francisco Lindor as a Met?
103 PAs, .163/.284/.209, 3 RBIs.
One must ask oneself....
How did the Mighty Lindor turn into Don Bosch?
Bosch, to be fair, hit better for his other 2 teams: .175/.230/.245. A literal hitting machine.
Lots of hitters hit worse as Mets, Bosch might say if you asked him.
It probably would have been more fair for me to compare Lindor to another SS, Al Weis.
As a Met, the offensively challenged Weis was .191/.245/.253 in 714 plate appearances.
Still alive at age 83, he no doubt is willing to take calls on hitting tip requests from Lindor, I'm sure.
Minor League Openers:
Some great performances in the Mets’ minors openers. Alvarez mentioned above. Josh Walker 5 no hit innings and 8 Ks...wow. Terrific.
The Crow had 2 hits and a walk in his official career debut. Caw, caw, caw!
But...
TYLOR MEGILL?
The AA opening day starter, he walked 3 and fanned one in his first 4 batters, barely missing with most of those balls. Ump was squeezing him.
Ruffled? Nah.
The 6’7” fire baller induced a DP grounder to escape the first, then over the next 4 innings, 2 hits, one run, no walks, 9 Ks. Yep, 9.
Fastballs and sliders, kind of like, I dunno, deGrom or somebody.
Only one outing, but he seems almost ready to me. Now has a career 138 Ks in 104.2 IP.
The Big Man made a Big Statement last night.
So much fun...what Mets’ rainout?
5 comments:
I happen to think that Pete is putting up a decent season so far.
A much better spray power hitter.
Figure around 35-40 homers.
I'm soooooooo glad were talking Minor leagues again. Hey guys were ALL long timers here and when I think of Pete and what's he's accomplished so far IN A MET UNIFORM it's other worldly so lets just enjoy it everyday and say thank's that he's hitting for us not against us.
By the way did I miss St.Lucie's roster?
My bad I got it
Gary, yes, thank heavens for the minors.
For me, had they been playing in April, I for one would have been less hyper-focused on Mets' shortcomings.
If the Mets lose, but 3 of the minor league teams win and guys you like do well, it definitely balances things out.
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