MLB Prospect Preview: Peter Alonso
We are no longer in double digits when it comes to weeks until the beginning of the Major League Baseball season. With only nine weeks left, we continue our weekly prospect preview. These are players that every baseball fan should get familiar with as they are poised to break into the major leagues this season. We have already previewed Forrest Whitley, Keston Hiura, and Mike Soroka. We are staying in the NL East this week to take a closer look at New York Mets prospect Peter Alonso.
Photo: Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review
Peter Alonso
1B
New York Mets
I have a special interest in Peter Alonso because I took a chance and traded for him last June in my fantasy baseball league. I am a big believer in his skillset and potential, and you should be too. Alonso is one of the older prospects on this list at 24 years old. He played three years at the University of Florida before he was drafted in 2016. From there he has climbed up through the Mets farm system, ending last season in Triple-A Las Vegas with Mets fans clamoring for his call-up.
When MLB.com came out with its top-10 first base prospects last week, Alonso was the headliner as the best of the group. He had a monstrous 2018 campaign, leading the entire minor leagues in home runs (36) and rbi (119). He then went on to lead the Arizona Fall League in home runs with six. The one thing you should think of when you hear “Peter Alonso” should be power. His raw power is off the charts and Mets fans are sure to see him launching balls deep into the Citi Field stands for years to come. He garnered a lot of attention during the 2018 Fall Stars game when he launched a moonshot home run off a 103 mph fastball from Nate Pearson.
The one thing that scouts generally agree upon is Alonso’s defense has room for improvement. But they also generally agree that it can be easily overlooked with his offensive potential. The big question for Mets fans is, “when will he finally get the call up?” The Mets currently have a very crowded infield with newly acquired free agents and another first base prospect in Dominic Smith. It looks like Todd Frazier will most likely begin the year at first base for the Mets, but it shouldn’t be long before Alonso will be playing the position. Mets fans will lose their minds if he isn’t up before May, which I believe he will be. There is also a good chance he will be a NL Rookie of the Year candidate at the end of next season. Unless he really struggles to adapt to the majors, he should settle in nicely in Queens for years to come.
Garett