Earning job Alonso’s first priority in camp
PORT ST. LUCIE — Peter Alonso’s one-track mind is playing on a continuous loop this spring: win the Mets’ starting first-base job.
The 24-year-old slugger spent the offseason working extensively on his fielding and conditioning, and this week will begin trying to show team officials he belongs.
It’s clear Alonso has the kind of power needed for the position — he hit 36 homers last season between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas — but now he must complement that booming bat with improved defense in a giant push to reach his dream.
“I just want to force somebody’s hand,” Alonso said Saturday at First Data Field. “Ever since I was a young kid, ever since I was 3 years old, I dreamt about becoming a major league baseball player. My first word was ‘ball.’ This is something I have been looking forward to my entire life and I just want it to happen.”
The 6-foot-3 Alonso said he shed 12 pounds in the offseason and reported to camp at 240. The biggest question might be whether he can handle the job defensively, after showing improvement at first base last season, albeit not enough to earn a late-season look in the big leagues.
Alonso worked out in Tampa this winter with friend Steven Negron — a former minor league infielder who now works for the Padres — and kept in contact with Mets instructor Tim Teufel to apprise the organization of his progress. Teufel worked extensively with Alonso last season.
“It’s just been a combination of everything, whether it be ground balls, footwork around the bag, picking,” Alonso said. “I have elevated my game tremendously at first base and I have worked at every aspect of it, so I am really excited for games to start.”
Alonso, according to manager Mickey Callaway, made significant strides last season.
“He was probably the most improved defensive guy [team evaluators] have seen in a long time in one season,” Callaway said. “He’s going to continue to improve no matter where you put him. I am excited that we have workers like that in camp.”
The Mets have plenty of other first-base options — mainly Todd Frazier, Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis — but the biggest upside belongs to Alonso, whose raw power was among the best in the minor leagues last season.
Alonso was invited to spring training in 2018, but didn’t emerge on team officials’ radar until after the season started, along with Jeff McNeil. Along the way, Alonso has embraced his status as a fan favorite.
“Mets fans are absolutely crazy about supporting the team and love it and it’s awesome that I have their support,” Alonso said.
Alonso’s locker is adjacent to Frazier’s in the Mets’ clubhouse this spring — not an accident, according to Callaway, despite the fact the two are potentially battling for playing time at first base. Frazier has been displaced from full-time duty at third base with Jed Lowrie’s arrival. If Alonso earns the starting job at first, Frazier figures to become primarily a bench player.
“Frazier is a special guy, so you want your young players around him, and Peter is going to maybe be competing with Frazier,” Callaway said. “And Frazier, the guy he is and teammate he is and winner he is, will go up to Pete and help him in every way and that’s how you create something special.”
Alonso would have it no other way.
“High school I had to earn a job, college I had to earn a job, and it’s no different here,” Alonso said. “Every single player has to prove themselves no matter where they are in their career, so this is no different.”