Mets’ Pete Alonso thrilled with ‘consistent’ spring swing

//Mets’ Pete Alonso thrilled with ‘consistent’ spring swing

March 23, 2021 | 7:46pm

PORT ST. LUCIE — Two years after earning a major league roster spot with inspired play in spring training, Pete Alonso is again a March beast that can’t be ignored.

It’s not to suggest the Mets first baseman is on his way to matching or surpassing his 53-homer rookie season in 2019, but his approach and loud contact have been among the hallmarks of this camp.

“I am really proud of how consistent I have been,” Alonso said following the Mets’ 5-3 exhibition victory over the Marlins on Tuesday at Clover Park. “The numbers and results can be kind of misleading at times. At the end of the day, it’s nine against one out there and I just want to keep hitting the ball hard, swing at what I want to swing at, make the ball be in my zone, run the bases well and play good defense.

“I feel like I have done a real good job of being a complete player this spring, and I want to keep evolving and keep getting better. I feel that being consistent has really helped me, but I wouldn’t say the results have helped and created the momentum.”

Pete Alonso
Pete Alonso
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For the record, Alonso’s 1.234 OPS this spring leads the Mets. He finished 1-for-3 with an RBI single and drew a walk in his final plate appearance against the Marlins. It follows a 2020 season in which Alonso only briefly found his groove, finishing with a .231/.326/.490 slash line with 16 homers and 35 RBIs in 57 games.

The fact Alonso still has a running tally in his head of how many pitches he’s chased this spring tells him he’s succeeded in improving his plate discipline. Alonso put the number at eight or nine.

“The one problem that he’s had in the past, at his young age, is he probably worked too much,” manager Luis Rojas said. “I think he found a way of getting his work, having a set goal that is probably more focused and he’s done it. He’s not just working too much. He’s playing real good defense right now. He is taking great at-bats and those things just happen to find a way to simplify and get himself into a routine.”

Alonso silenced his social media accounts early in camp, saying he wanted to stay attuned with “real life.” He was asked Tuesday if he thought there was a correlation between the decision and his improved focus at the plate this spring.

“I don’t think there is any connection,” he said. “That was just a personal decision, and I think for me I am playing well because I am focused, but whether [I was on] social media or not, I would be extremely focused on this season, and I’m just really confident in myself. I have put a lot of work in. I don’t think social media, I don’t think it matters because I really worked hard this offseason on my body, my mindset and my mental approach. I feel like I have elevated myself as a player and just to say that is just social media, I think that would be unfair.

“I feel I have elevated my game. I have worked my ass off and I feel like I am in a real good spot because I had a productive offseason.”

That includes on defense, where Alonso is most pleased with his improved throwing accuracy.

“I feel that my game is very consistent right now,” Alonso said. “I’m feeling really good and I can’t wait to finish out camp and get the season started.”

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