New York Mets prospect Peter Alonso is not the savior at first base

After a promising start to 2018, New York Mets prospect Peter Alonso has hit a wall in Triple-A. Even beyond this, he may not be the superstar fans want.

New York Mets fans are excited about first base prospect Peter Alonso. Rightfully so, he can bash baseballs. How many members of the 25-man roster can say this?

As fun as it has been to follow Alonso’s 2018 season, we need to hold back from anointing him the savior. Alonso is flawed and may not fit in well with the Mets.

We’re beginning to see more of Alonso’s weaknesses. Though he conquered Double-A rather handily, facing Triple-A pitchers has had its challenges. Alonso is striking out at a higher rate and struggling to hit above the Mendoza Line.

I can imagine a future where Alonso becomes the next Ike Davis far more than I can one where he wins a home run title. As the number four prospect at the start of the season in an already weak farm system, the kid had to earn his way into our hearts.

Alonso has stepped up and become a viable candidate for the first base job in Flushing within the next few seasons. One thing he needs to do is learn how to play the field a bit better.

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Bad defensive first basemen who can rake at the plate are common in baseball. First base isn’t a position where you need a Gold Glove winner. Often times, it’s the plate where players like Alonso go to hide.

Alonso is not super athletic and won’t steal many bases in his professional career. He does one thing really well and that’s swat home runs. This is great for a guy at a power position like first base. It’s also rather limiting and too reminiscent of Lucas Duda. Alonso has to grow into a better player than that to have a major impact on the Mets.

At 23-years-old and in only his third professional season, there shouldn’t be a rush to get him to Queens. This season is about watching him blossom. Next year is about targeting when he deserves his promotion.

I can wait to see Alonso in the big leagues. Why rush him up there in 2018 when he’s clearly not ready?

I’m sour on Dominic Smith, but also willing to give him the final few months to show us what he can do. Smith needs every at-bat he can get right now. I have little faith he develops into an everyday player. This doesn’t mean a spot on the bench or in a platoon is out of the question.

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The Mets need to handle Alonso properly. If this means keeping him in the minors for the rest of the year, I’m all for it.

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