MLB announced that Mets’ rookie first baseman, Pete Alonso, has won NL Rookie of the Month for June, with Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros winning the award in the AL.
Alonso, 24, has now won the award in two of the season’s first three months having won the award in April as well (Austin Riley won it in May), obviously establishing himself as the favorite for the NL Rookie of the Year Award at the end of the year.
As can be seen in the Mets game notes prior to Wednesday’s contest against the New York Yankees, Alonso ranks first among NL rookies in six different categories for the month of June including home runs (9), RBI (21), extra-base hits (17), walks (18), total bases (66), and doubles (tied at 8).
Meanwhile, he ranks second in OPS (1.089), slugging percentage (.652), and on-base percentage (.435). His .307 batting average for the month also is tied for fourth among rookies in June.
The first baseman has been phenomenal in his rookie season as he is hitting .275/.370/.621 with 28 home runs and 64 RBI to give himself a 162 OPS+ and 3.7 bWAR.
His 28 home runs not only shatter the Mets’ previous club record of 26 home runs by a rookie in a season originally held by Darryl Strawberry, but also ties Mark McGwire‘s MLB rookie home run record before the month of July.
Alonso’s offense is not the only positive of his game now either, though, as his defense is significantly improved as he has a 1.1 UZR and -1 DRS this season.
The power hitter will participate in the Home Run Derby next week and also be a reserve on the NL-All Star team with teammates Jeff McNeil and Jacob deGrom.
