Pete Alonso’s signing with the Baltimore Orioles was one of the biggest moves this offseason, yet there’s a lingering sentiment that even at $150 million, the slugging first baseman has been chronically undervalued throughout his career.
On a recent episode of “Baseball Isn’t Boring,” Alonso’s former Mets teammate, Adam Ottavino, dove into why the slugger’s specific skill set makes him not just a good player, but a lineup-transforming force that’s nearly impossible to replace.
“His power is … a guarantee,” Ottavino said, via Apple Podcasts. “I promise you he’s going to hit … 35-plus home runs at a minimum for the next four seasons. Like, he’s just always out there.”
This kind of bankable power is increasingly rare in baseball. While critics point to his defensive limitations, Ottavino highlights how Alonso’s overall package is still elite.
“He’s actually kind of a special athlete for his size,” he said. “I know that defensively, the metrics don’t like him, particularly going to his right, but he’s good going to his left, taking away balls down the line. He scoops balls really well. He cares a lot out there.”
While Alonso did lead all first basemen with 10 errors last season, he also recorded a position-best 29 scoops, a metric that measures a first baseman’s ability to save errant throws. The next closest player was Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, who finished with 24 scoops, according to FanGraphs.
Ottavino also points out that Alonso represents something increasingly valuable in today’s game – guaranteed production.
While baseball executives often chase potential and upside, Alonso offers something different: certainty.
His signing with Baltimore signals not just a major addition for the O’s, but potentially a significant loss for teams that passed on him.
