MIAMI — Pete Alonso has all the time been recognized extra for his bat than his glove, however the Polar Bear is hoping to alter that this season. Coming into spring coaching, Alonso was excited concerning the work he had finished over the winter to enhance his protection, aiming to chop down on errors, make higher selections and extra correct throws.
With the Mets utilizing two new infielders in these early-season video games, they’re relying closely on Alonso. Brett Baty had by no means performed second base at any degree larger than Triple-A till final weekend and Luisangel Acuña is barely a 23-year-old rookie with 18 large league video games beneath his belt.
A gentle presence with good communication is essential to the Mets protection proper now, and Alonso is offering all of that and extra.
Over three video games towards the Houston Astros over the weekend, Alonso made plenty of robust picks. It was clear that there have been some rising pains with Acuña particularly, however a naturally-gifted infielder settled in and made some stellar defensive performs after a tough first recreation. Supervisor Carlos Mendoza highlighted one specifically that got here within the eighth inning second recreation of the sequence.
With the Mets up 3-1 and a runner on first with one out, Yordan Alvarez golfed a 98.8 MPH heater from Ryne Stanek down the left facet. Alonso charged on the laborious grounder however was unable to glove it. Nonetheless, Acuña dove behind him, making a superb cease. With the runner almost to second already, Alonso instructed Acuña to flip the ball to him, getting again to first base in time to get the out.
“Pete had a really good, really nice read,” Mendoza mentioned. “He broke towards the ball on the first step, and then went back to the base right away. A first baseman could have easily just kept on going after the baseball, and then you’re talking about a pitcher covering first. I thought that was a good read, and that’s what you want to see when these guys are kind of getting familiar with each other.”
The time period ball safety is extra generally utilized in soccer and basketball, nevertheless it’s one thing Alonso is emphasizing for himself. Consistency in his pregame work is vital to creating positive the enhancements stick. A few of it may’t be taught — just like the velocity of the sport — however at this level in his profession, he understands simply how briskly it may get within the infield, which is why it’s useful to have him there with shortstop Francisco Lindor.
The 2 could be calming influences for Baty, Acuña and even Mark Vientos at third base. When errors are made, Alonso and Lindor are sometimes seen speaking to their younger teammates, placing them comfortable by telling them they’ll get the following play.
“I think it’s having more of a higher understanding of the speed of the game,” Alonso mentioned. “And then also, I think it’s just taking care of the baseball, controlling what I can control and being smart, being smart with the baseball, that’s the ultimate thing.”
Alonso’s -9 OAA in 2024 was the worst of his profession. However the Mets suppose he’s been a greater defender than the metrics present. Mendoza considers him among the finest within the league in relation to picks, he likes the best way he makes use of all the bag and describes his footwork as “elite.”
If the enhancements he’s made proceed, the metrics will look higher.
“Trying to get to that extra ball or two in the four-hole or down the line — I think that’s the biggest thing when it comes down to defensive numbers,” Mendoza mentioned. “Just getting a couple of extra balls range-wise because he’s got really good hands, so if he’s getting to them, he’s going to make the plays. So I think the biggest thing is trying to extend him a little bit.”
