MLB’s now-former No. 51 overall prospect, Pete Alonso made his long-anticipated major-league debut with the Mets on Opening Day this season and the first baseman has made an impact that no one saw coming.

Fans heard whispers of the power-hitting prospect who crushed 36 home runs in 132 games between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas in 2018, but no one truly understood the impression he would make until he arrived into the majors with a bang, earning the April National League Rookie of the Month Award after hitting .292/.382/.642 through his first 123 PA.

While many questioned whether or not this hot start was sustainable, the rookie has proven himself as a bonafide big leaguer through the month of June. Currently slashing .274/.359/.624, Alonso leads the team in fWAR with a 3.0. His .982 OPS ranks seventh on the 2019 NL leaderboard, and his 24 homers rank just second behind Christian Yelich’s 26.

Alonso’s power off the bat is undeniable. He has 24 extra-base hits with 108+ mph exit velocity this season, while nobody else has more than Gary Sanchez’ 17, per Sarah Langs of MLB. The twenty-four-year-old is currently on pace for 53 home runs, 126 RBI, 102 runs scored, 32 doubles, and a .977 OPS.

In last night’s 10-2 win over the Braves, the righty went 4-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and two walks. He became only the fourth Met to have recorded a game in which they reached base safely at least six times without reaching on an error, and recorded at least three extra-base hits- along with Edgardo Alfonzo, Mike Piazza, and Brandon Nimmo.

After hitting his 24th homer in Atlanta yesterday evening, Alonso is also on pace to shatter the Mets rookie home run record of 26 set by Darryl Strawberry in 1983. 17 of those homers have traveled at least 400 feet, tied with Hunter Renfroe for most in the MLB, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Alonso is not only making his way into the Mets’ record books, but is also leaving his mark on major league history. Mark McGwire set the record for the most homers hit by a rookie before the All-Star Break in  1987 when he crushed 33. Alonso’s 24 currently sit at fifth on that list, behind Aaron Judge with 30, Jose Abreu with 29, and Cody Bellinger with 25. There are 20 days until the All-Star Break, which starts on July 9.

“Polar Bear” Pete has made an impact as a leader on and off of the field. Currently three games below .500 at .479, the ball club has faced much adversity with a long list of injuries and front office turmoil- but Alonso has been the positive clubhouse force that has seemed to spark the team’s fighting energy.

Callaway praises him for his veteran-like qualities, as detailed by SNY.

“For a rookie to take on that leadership role like he’s doing and performing like an All-Star is unbelievable… it’s because he does everything the right way at all times.”

The rookie is actively campaigning to make it to Progressive Field this July for the Midsummer Classic. He ranked fifth among National League first baseman in the most recent update of All-Star balloting.  With 319,256 votes as of June 17,  Alonso trails Pittsburgh’s Josh Bell by 786,930 votes, and is over half a million votes shy of cracking the top three at his position, per MLB.com. To make the second round of fan voting, he’ll need to make the top three. If he does not, his only way to Cleveland will be as a reserve or a Home Run Derby participant- which he has stated he would love to take part in.

Help represent the Amazin’s at MLB All-Star Week and vote Pete here!