At no point last season did Pete Alonso ever look as good as he's looked at the plate to start his 2025 campaign for the Mets.
After another 2-for-4 day, including a double, home run and two RBI in New York's 3-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, the first baseman is "locked in" offensively right now.
In fact, Alonso said this is the best he's felt at the plate since his junior year of college -- even better than his rookie season in 2019 where he set the rookie home run record with 53 long balls.
"From a consistency aspect, yes," he said, talking about feeling better this year compared to his rookie year. "I mean, I know in 2019 I hit a lot of homers, obviously [I] had a phenomenal year that year, but from a consistency aspect and controlling the zone I definitely feel better [now]."
Alonso's production in the middle of the Mets' lineup since the start of the year has helped carry them to a 14-7 record as other players such as Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto are just now starting to find their groove offensively.
In 21 games, Alonso is batting .356 (26-for-73) with a 1.220 OPS and has six home runs, nine doubles and a triple to go along with 23 RBI.
"He’s locked in. He’s got conviction, he’s got a plan and he’s executing it," said manager Carlos Mendoza. "I don’t think we saw this version last year, maybe towards the end and definitely in the playoffs, but I think right now he’s got conviction, he’s dictating at-bats, he’s ready for his pitches, he’s not missing them and he’s taking his walks when they don’t want to pitch to him. He’s a dangerous hitter."
Following a down season in 2024 that just so happened to be Alonso's walk year which led to him and New York agreeing to a two-year, $54 million late in the offseason -- much less than what Alonso was expecting -- the Mets must be thrilled with the offensive output they're seeing from their first baseman.
Always a threat to go deep, even last year when he hit 34 home runs, Alonso would still strike out a lot and his batting average and on-base percentage were never the highest as a career .251 hitter. However, this season he's striking out less, walking more and not missing when pitcher's make mistakes.
"I think my mechanics are super clean," he said. "I’m able to hold those and carry those pitch to pitch, at-bat to at-bat."
Alonso also credits "having a great gameplan" which includes "staying aggressive in [his] zone" for the start to his season.
But with another great Citi Field crowd on hand, with 42,339 in attendance on Saturday, Alonso isn't discounting the effect the fans have had on the team, who is 8-1 at home, as well
"Obviously having sellout crowds is awesome and I feel like having a jam-packed stadium like this it’s almost like having a 10th guy out there. It’s honestly awesome," Alonso said.
"It’s a good feeling knowing that the ballpark is going to be packed and the fanbase is going to be right behind you," Mendoza added. "Not only are we feeling it, the other team is feeling it… It’s an environment that people probably don’t want to come over here and that’s what you want. That’s why they’re the best fans."
New York hopes to keep the good times rolling as it looks to go for the series sweep on Sunday before starting a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.
"Just wanna keep playing well," Alonso said. "The team is absolutely playing great ball, we’re playing as a unit."
