EXPECTATIONS FOR 18: Pete Alonso

[Edgy MD]

The Mets are turning the page on first base. They've moved on from Ike Davis and they've moved on from Lucas Duda, and now they've settled on Dominic Smith. First round pick, hotshot hitter, smoove fielder.

Or maybe they haven't. I'm Pete Alonso. I'm a non-roster invitee and seemingly out of the picture. But I'm a Florida Gator, and if Tim Tebow has taught me anything, you're NEVER really out of the picture. The picture is REALLY big. And maybe the Mets grabbing Adrian Gonzalez is, like, really good news for me. Maybe they're going to churn through Obama-era run producers at the cold corner until I come around. Yonder Alonso, Aubrey Huff, Justin Morneau, and ultimately, me, suckers.

It could happen! I'm a righthanded power machine, slugging .524 over two levels this last season! And now I'm invited to MLB camp after only a season and a half of pro ball. Yeah, I move like a slug and have a problem wearing underwear, but Florida State League power don't lie.

[fimg=338:2dtusqro]http://metsminors.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Pete-Alonso.jpg[/fimg:2dtusqro] [fimg=362:2dtusqro]http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/peter-alonso-e1471023442447.png[/fimg:2dtusqro]
[fimg=277:2dtusqro]https://coedbc.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/peter-alonso-girlfriend-haley-walsh.jpg?quality=88[/fimg:2dtusqro] [fimg=423:2dtusqro]http://metsminors.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/alonso-in-field-2-e1492114814280.jpg[/fimg:2dtusqro]?

Maybe the future is coming pretty damn soon. Waddaya see for me in 2018?

[youtube:2dtusqro]RppGswwGVFk[/youtube:2dtusqro]

[nymr83]

I could see it, but its very unlikely especially with the redundancy of Bruce and a crowded outfield.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I don't know about 2018, but in the few years after that it will be interesting to see what happens with Alonso. It may be that Dom Smith makes his way past Adrian Gonzalez just to very quickly hear Pete Alonso's footsteps behind him.

[Edgy MD]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I don't know about 2018 ...

Pete needs you to know! AA All Star? Forming a devastating heart of the order with Mazeika, Urena, and Tebow? Rushed to AAA and hitting below .200 (but with power)? A horrific injury caused by a flying resin bag? Traded at the deadline in the big Trout deal?

Expectations! Get 'em on the table.

[Frayed Knot]

John Sickels:
Peter Alonso, 1B, Grade B-/B: Age 23, second round pick in 2016 from University of Florida;
hit .289/.359/.524 with 18 homers, 27 walks, 71 strikeouts in 353 at-bats between High-A and Double-A; showed very good power despite feeling the effects of a hand injury much of the season;
doesn’t strike out much for a home run bat but can be somewhat aggressive and a few more walks would be nice; or not, right now there’s not much reason to change his approach since it works;
bigger concern is defense, with a career .980 fielding percentage at first base, an unacceptable ratio at that position; past defensive rep was positive so glove will hopefully improve;
ETA 2019.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Frayed Knot wrote: John Sickels: ETA 2019.

Poor Dominic Smith!

[Frayed Knot]

Well, arriving in the majors in that time frame vs being handed a starting position by ousting the incumbent are two different things.
By forecasting the former JS isn't necessarily predicting the latter.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I know. But I do think that Dom will be feeling pressed by Alonso, unless he has a breakout 2018.

[Frayed Knot]

I hope he is pressed and that BOTH have breakout seasons in 2018. Competition is good.
And, if nothing else, at least one hits righty and the other lefty and one maybe is more BA vs the other with more power, so having both at the same time won't quite be a Duda/Ike level redundancy.

[Guest d'Kong76]

BP's #7 top prospect for 2018. Not really saying much when your top ten
aren't all that exciting. I'd say he has one more year of minor league service
unless a couple of really bad things happen on the big club.

Edited February 19, 2018 by Guest

[nymr83]

I hope they both rake and one gets sent to the Orioles in July as part of the Manny Machado trade and extension.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Same as I said with Smith and every other would-be 1Bman in the minors. He better hit and hit and hit. I'll be optimistic and predict an AA All-Star appearance and at least some angst as to whether he or Smith is really going to be the guy who succeeds Gonzalez.

[Centerfield]

Other than Conforto, I can't remember our last power hitting prospect. I guess it would be Ike Davis.

Very excited about Alonso. And as FK says, hits RH so that lessens the redundancy issue. Maybe he could learn to fake it at 3B.

[Frayed Knot]

Centerfield wrote: Maybe he could learn to fake it at 3B.

Rumor has it that he first has to learn to fake it at 1st

[Edgy MD]

HIts his way to Vegas, where he hits even more. Doesn't break through to Flushing, but real hard choices loom for 2019.

[Centerfield]

Hi. I'm Peter Alonso. And I'm on fucking fire.

.400/.500/.788

That last one is slugging, not OPS. His OPS is 1.288. Hit a 3 run bomb last night to make it 8 HR's on the year.

[Edgy MD]

With a homer, a double, and two more RBI last night, Alonso became the first player in affiliated ball to reach 100 RBI.

I'm guessing he's a good bet to break the Mets' minor league RBI mark, if he hasn't already. Strawberry topped out at 97 in 1982.

OE: Jefferies had 111 across three levels in 1986. Anybody got a better number than that?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Danny Napoleon, 1964 in Auburn (NY-Penn League) had 134 RBI.

[Edgy MD]

Wow! In 126 games!

[Guest d'Kong76]

Danny hit a pinch hit triple in 1965 knocking in 3 runs leading to
Stengel's 3000th win as a manager according to wikithang.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Vive la France!

[RealityChuck]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Danny Napoleon, 1964 in Auburn (NY-Penn League) had 134 RBI.

Plus 20 more in the Florida State League that year.

[Frayed Knot]

RealityChuck wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Danny Napoleon, 1964 in Auburn (NY-Penn League) had 134 RBI. Plus 20 more in the Florida State League that year.

Able was he.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I would suggest that the Mets give him another shot, but I see that he's dead at the present time.

[bmfc1]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I would suggest that the Mets give him another shot, but I see that he's dead at the present time.

So you're saying that they can get him for the league minimum.

[Centerfield]

Another HR yesterday. Up to 29 for the year. After slumping badly upon his callup, now has his OPS up to .931 in LV.