Alonso quickly impressed with Mets’ new GM
Over Mexican food in Scottsdale, Ariz., the two rookies bonded, sharing visions of a big upcoming season for the Mets.
Peter Alonso left that recent meeting impressed with his new general manager, who had called only days earlier to introduce himself and arrange the dinner date. Brodie Van Wagenen was on his way to Southern California for last week’s general managers’ meetings, but wanted to watch Alonso play in the Arizona Fall League All-Star game and begin to understand what the 24year-old first baseman is about.
“The fact that [Van Wagenen] reached out and just wanted to talk with me and have dinner, it meant a lot personally,” Alonso told The Post on Tuesday in a phone conversation. “I just thought it was a real classy thing to do and that speaks volumes.”
Disappointed he wasn’t among the Mets’ September call-ups last season, Alonso received reassurance from Van Wagenen that he’s still valued by the organization and an opportunity will be awaiting him in spring training. It comes after a season in which Alonso slugged 36 homers between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas, and emerged as a favorite to a fan base starved for the Mets’ next big thing in the lineup.
Alonso homered with Van Wagenen watching in Arizona, turning around a 103 mph fastball in his first at-bat, but that isn’t what the first baseman most remembers about the game.
“The best part about that was I made a couple of really good defensive plays in that game,” Alonso said. “I was really stoked about that.”
It’s concerns about defense that Mets officials cited in deciding to keep Alonso in the minor leagues last season. At the same time, two of Alonso’s potential competi- tors for playing time at first base, Jay Bruce and Wilmer Flores, are relative newcomers to the position. Also cited in keeping Alonso in the minors was the fact the Mets could use the spot on the 40man roster to protect another player from the Rule 5 draft. Alonso doesn’t need to be placed on the roster for protective reasons until next offseason.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Alonso isn’t going to win many foot races, but that hasn’t stopped him from going 4for-4 in stolen base attempts this fall as he looks to diversify his portfolio.
“Some of the best base runners in baseball aren’t the fastest people,” Alonso said. “For me, it’s picking spots and understanding the times to the plate and certain counts, just knowing the situation. Picking the right spot to go and just making a move.
“I want to take the extra base and do what I can do because all runs are extremely valuable and I want to be able to help the team the best I can and just try to add that in my back pocket so I am just not the stereotypical power guy. I want to be a complete baseball player.”
Alonso plans to head home next week for a rest before beginning offseason workouts in December that he will gradually increase before heading to the batting cage after the winter holidays to prepare for spring training.
Aware of his cult-hero status on social media, Alonso wants to reach the lofty expectation level that has been set for him.
“I got to 10,000 followers on Twitter, which I am really thankful for,” Alonso said. “Thank you, Mets fans and thank you followers. It’s just really humbling and it’s awesome. I am just really taken aback. They are accepting me as their own and that’s really awesome to see and I am very thankful for it.”