NY Mets dream starting lineup for the 2022 season

Pete Alonso – 1B

In a season full of disappointment, Pete Alonso was the only regular who could stay healthy and be productive. It seems that those who were productive could not stay healthy and those who did stay healthy were not productive.

Alonso slashed .262/.344/.519 with 37 home runs and 94 RBI. He might not have hit 53 home runs but Alonso had an outstanding year.

His 37 home runs were third in the National League. For a team that did not have much power, Alonso was the exception.

He showed a lot more disciplined at the plate as well. His strikeout rate went down from 25.5% in 2020 to 19.9% in 2021. It’s still a work in progress but clearly the improvement is there.

Alonso was also much improved in the field. He went from posting -5 DRS in 2020 to 5 DRS in 2021. He was an above-average fielder which is night and day from where he started.

It’s improved to the point where if there is a DH added, Alonso should not be placed in that role permanently.

Alonso is becoming more of a complete player than he was in his outrageous rookie year which is amazing to see.

Something for Alonso to improve on is his production at Citi Field. It is a pitcher’s park but Alonso really struggled at Citi Field this season. He slashed .234/.313/.414 with 12 home runs and 33 RBI in Flushing.
On the road, Alonso slashed .288/.373/.618 with 25 home runs and 61 RBI. I have no idea why Alonso was so much better on the road but if he puts up numbers close to or similar to his road numbers he will be even better than he already is.