On Monday, the New York Mets faced the Washington Nationals in a spring training game. The result? a 2-1 victory for the Queens squad. And while Pete Alonso was 0-3 in the contest, he thinks better things are in store for his team this season.
MLB.com’s Mike Lupica interviewed the “Polar Bear” about the past season and what the future may hold for him and the Mets.
“Not gonna lie,†Alonso said, “last year was pretty fun.†Of course it was fun: he was MLB’s home run king with 53 as a rookie, smashing Aaron Judge’s record for a newcomer by one.
When asked if he thinks he can improve in 2020, the hulking first baseman said “absolutely.” That’s a scary thought.
The reporter asked if he had any individual goals. He said he didn’t, but pointed at the Nationals clubhouse and stated: “I want what they have. I want us to win the last game in October. You want to know what my goal really is? That’s my goal. I want to do enough for this team that we get to be them this year.”
He carried the Mets’ offense
Jacob deGrom carried the New York Mets’ pitching. And, in the same way, Pete Alonso was THE man for the offense last season. They had one of the league’s best second-half records but they ultimately fell short of October. The 40-50 first half was just too much to overcome.
Alonso knows he can have better numbers in 2020. “Now, I just want to take everything to the next level,†he said. “I want to do that for myself and I want to do it for our team. Basically I want to make pitchers as uncomfortable this season as I did last season.â€
It may be a far-fetched thought to assume he can improve upon a .260/.358/.583 line with 53 home runs, 120 RBI and a Mets-leading 143 wRC+. But if anyone can do it, is Alonso. In the minor leagues, he has batted as high as .321 (in 2016 in Class-A) and .314 (in 2018 at Double-A.) Between 2016 and 2018, his K% was below 20. It’s not crazy to think he could slash some of his 26.4 2019 K%.