Pete Alonso Stumbles Into All-Star Break
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Pete Alonso possesses a rare ability to hit the ball with extraordinary power and intensity, setting him apart from many players in baseball today. However, as of late, the New York Mets’ first baseman seems to have lost his rhythm. Offensively, he has encountered significant difficulties, reflecting a challenging phase in his career.
These struggles were particularly evident on Sunday when Alonso went 0-for-3, causing his season average to drop to .211, while the Mets suffered a series loss to the San Diego Padres. Over the weekend, Pete appeared mortal, a stark contrast to his earlier performance this season when he led the league in home runs and hitting baseballs with authority.
To exacerbate the situation, Alonso has been grappling with a hand injury that sidelined him for more than a week in June. Since his return, Alonso has only managed to bat .147/.264/.347 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 20 games.
In July alone, despite the rest of the team finding their stride, Alonso’s performance has been lackluster. Out of 28 at-bats, he has only mustered four hits and struck out a whopping 13 times. And June wasn’t much better, with a meager 10-for-66 with a .586 OPS in the 18 games he played. Consequently, his batting average has plummeted to .211 and his OPS down to .807, as he has succeeded in only 14 of his last 91 at-bats.
The 28-year-old is on pace to set career lows in average (.211), on-base percentage (.310), OPS+ (119), and average exit velocity (89.2 mph).
Prior to his injury against the Braves, Alonso made a resounding impact on the league with 22 home runs and 49 RBI in just 62 games and 260 plate appearances. This outstanding performance earned him a spot as a reserve in this year’s All-Star Game in Seattle. Additionally, Alonso has decided to take part in the Home Run Derby, aiming to secure his third title in his fourth attempt at the competition.
While the excitement surrounding the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game is certainly justified, Mets fans are also hopeful that their slugger will return to top form after the break. Alonso serves as a vital component of the Mets’ offense, and his power and consistency at the plate will be crucial for the team’s potential playoff push.
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