Pete Alonso Sets NL Rookie Home Run Record Sunday in Kansas City

Jul 8, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) in the 2019 MLB Home Run Derby at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

As the Mets were laying a 10-5 game to bed against the Kansas City Royals, Pete Alonso decided it was a good time to make history. In the ninth inning he took a high fastball from Jacob Barnes and smoked it way back in the left field seats for his 40th home run of the season.

Alonso’s home run broke the record set by Cody Bellinger during his 2017 rookie campaign. Looking back at spring training, the Mets seem foolish for even contemplating starting the season with Alonso in the minors. At the same time they look a little smarter for deciding not to call Alonso up during the end of the 2018 season.

What is the Next Record to Break?

Leaving home runs out of the equation, Alonso is 3 behind the NL and 4 behind the MLB record for most hit by pitch from a rookie. This is obviously minuscule compared to a home run record, but it is always nice to own multiple records  in a rookie season.

The MLB rookie record is 52, set by Aaron Judge in 2017. Alonso will need to homer about once every three games to get the record. It is not impossible, but the Polar Bear has his work cut out for him over the last month and a half of the season. All the fans want him to get the record, but one thing for certain is that Alonso only cares about leading the Mets into the postseason.