There haven’t been too many constants for the New York Mets so far this season. One player that has been a constant source of both production and optimism is first baseman Pete Alonso.
The right-handed slugger was likely (read: definitely) ready for big-league play after not getting called up at the end of 2018, and he’s absolutely hit the ground running. Prior to Opening Day, I took a look at Alonso’s competition when it came to franchise rookie records. Just over one-third of the way through the regular-season schedule, the 24-year-old is well on his way to etching his name in Mets record books thanks to the numbers he’s put together.
Through 239 plate appearances, he’s slashing .263/.335/.606. While his 27.6% strikeout rate is a little high, New York will gladly deal with it since Alonso has found himself among the league leaders with 19 home runs and 44 RBI. This offensive performance has lead to a .385 wOBA and 145 wRC+, as well.
The Mets’ first baseman has done plenty of things right in the batter’s box this season. However, now is a good time to put the power numbers he’s produced thus far in perspective.
Franchise Homer/Slugging Records
When it comes to the Mets’ franchise record for homers, the magic number is 41 (even when Tom Seaver doesn’t have a hand in something, he still appears, which is pretty cool). Todd Hundley set the record in 1996 and Carlos Beltran tied him in 2006. In between that 10-year span, Mike Piazza gave it a good try with 40 of his own in 1999. Interestingly enough, Beltran and Piazza needed just 140 and 141 games, respectively, to hit their homer totals, while Hundley played in 153.
These three single-season performances are already significant for the obvious reasons, but they’re also the only seasons of 40-plus homers in Mets history. Darryl Strawberry‘s 39 in both 1987 and 1988 were the closest anyone else has gotten to this point. Since Beltran tied Hundley in 2006, Carlos Delgado has been the only slugger to come close with 38 dingers in 2008. If we talk about this decade specifically, nobody has come closer than Ike Davis‘ 32 in 2012. So it’s been a while since the Mets have had one of those true sluggers in the middle of their lineup.
Piazza’s more impressive season actually came in 2000, when he posted a 153 wRC+ with 38 homers and 113 RBI. This included a preposterous .324/.398/.614 triple slash. This is worth pointing out because it’s not only the highest single-season slugging percentage in franchise history, but it’s also the only time a qualified Mets hitter has slugged above .600. If Alonso keeps up what he’s doing, though, there’s a chance for that to change.
Pete’s Pace is Perfect
Even with his 0-for-4 performance on Sunday in Arizona, Alonso is still slugging the hell out of baseballs. His .606 slugging percentage would rank second-best in team history if the season ended today, and he’s one of just 11 qualified hitters slugging better than .600.
Getting mentioned in the same breath as Cody Bellinger, Christian Yelich, Mike Trout, George Springer, and Nolan Arenado is a good indicator that you’re doing this whole big leagues thing right so far. Alonso’s current pace also stacks up well when compared to the Mets’ top-three single-season homer performances.
The National League Rookie of the Year candidate enters play on June 3rd with 19 home runs (third in the league). Hundley didn’t hit his 19th homer until June 21st (he actually hit his 19th and 20th homers that day in a multi-dinger effort). Piazza didn’t hit his 19th until July 10th, and Beltran didn’t get to that mark until June 19th.
He’s well on his way to further etching his name in Mets record books (and MLB in general since Bellinger’s NL record of 39 rookie homers appears to be in reach). He’ll just have to keep this pace up and continue adjusting as the league adjusts to him. Based on how he’s adapted to life in the big leagues over the last two-plus months, he’s more than up to the task.
Even if New York disappoints and doesn’t contend for a playoff spot late into the summer and early fall — I mean, it’s not looking particularly great at the moment — at least it appears as though Alonso will be giving us a reason to watch, similar to last year’s Cy Young performance from Jacob deGrom.
