New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso has been one of the team’s best players for several years now.
As New York gears up for a playoff push this season, Alonso is one of the most important pieces to the club’s World Series hopes.
The former second-round pick is at the center of our discussion today as we try to answer one big question: Is he overrated?
The answer is no, and you’re about to find out why.
3. He Has Been Impressive Every Step Of The Way Throughout His Young Career
Alonso broke into the big leagues with a ridiculous rookie season in 2019, as he led the league with 53 home runs and added a slash line of .260/.358/.583.
He finished the year with an OPS+ of 145 and a WAR of 5.4.
He won the Rookie of the Year Award that season, was named an All-Star and even finished seventh in MVP voting.
Since then, Alonso hasn’t looked back.
He posted solid numbers in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, homering 16 times in 57 games (putting him on pace for 45 homers over a full 162-game slate) to complement an OPS of .817 and an OPS+ of 122.
In an odd year, it was a nice landing spot for him in his second time around at the MLB level.
His 2021 campaign is the third of his career, and he is living up to expectations yet again this season.
Currently, Alonso is batting .265 with an OPS of .858, an OPS+ of 135, and a WAR of 2.1.
He has homered 22 times and doubled 12 times in 86 games.
You can’t not love Pete Alonso. pic.twitter.com/l7r7udiqI1
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) July 25, 2021
The two-time Home Run Derby champ is continuing to show that he is one of the best power hitters in baseball.
He has been a key ingredient to the Mets’ success.
2. At 24 Years Old, He Hasn’t Even Reached His Ceiling Yet
Alonso is still a work in progress.
The results so far have been amazing, but he’s not done yet.
The youngster still has lots of room for growth, and he has plenty of time to do it.
Alonso made a name for himself so quickly during his rookie season that it’s easy to forget how short his MLB career has been so far.
The 24-year-old has played in just 304 games to this point, meaning he hasn’t even completed two full seasons’ worth of contests.
It’s important to keep that in mind when evaluating him.
It takes many prospects several years to find their footing at the big-league level.
The fact that Alonso has been able to succeed immediately speaks volumes, and it also means that we probably haven’t even seen him at his best yet.
That’s a scary thought for the rest of the league.
The Mets have this guy under contract through the 2024 season.
1. His Production Matters A Whole Lot, Because He’s Doing It For A Contending Team
Alonso and the Mets have legit title hopes in 2021.
New York’s 52-44 record has the club atop the National League East by four games, and with the trade deadline coming up, it’s time to get serious about the standings.
Having a four-game lead at this stage in the season is no small task, but the real test begins now.
As the division race heats up down the stretch, will the Mets be able to hold off Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies?
We’ll have to wait and see.
But if you’re expecting Alonso’s production to drop off once the race intensifies, look elsewhere.
He has proven time and time again that no moment is too big for him.
In high-leverage situations, he has a career OPS of .830.
He also knows what it’s like to be in the spotlight (i.e. the Home Run Derby), and he flourishes in those situations.
Pete Alonso has been crowned Home Run Derby Champion for the second year in a row ⚾️ #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/8c5zL4ovSC
— TWSN (@TWSN___) July 13, 2021
The Mets have a star in Alonso, and he deserves every bit of the praise he is getting.
Expect him to be a massive part of the team’s success down the stretch this season.
NEXT: 2 Dream Trades For New York Mets At MLB Trade Deadline