The New York Mets are off to a strong start this season, thanks in large part to Pete Alonso’s impressive performance. Despite a common belief in MLB circles that first basemen tend to decline once they hit their 30s, Alonso is proving otherwise and showing he’s still a top-tier player.
His agent, Scott Boras, recently defended Alonso’s value, emphasizing that age doesn’t tell the whole story.
“People need to stop assuming that first basemen over 30 are on the decline,” Boras told Bob Nightengale of USA Today. “The reality is, they can still be extremely valuable, and only a handful—maybe five or six—can match what Pete is doing right now.”
Brett Baty had a rough start to the season, and it ultimately led to him being sent down to Triple-A Syracuse on April 24 to make room for second baseman Jeff McNeil’s return from the injured list.
That setback was a familiar chapter in Baty’s major league story — earning an opportunity only to have it slip away. But this time feels different.
Now back with the Mets while designated hitter Jesse Winker recovers from a grade two oblique strain, Baty appears more focused and determined than ever to secure a permanent spot in the clubhouse.
Interestingly, his turnaround began just before he was optioned. Over his last 10 games, Baty has gone 10-for-30 (.333), racking up six extra-base hits — including four home runs — along with nine RBIs and a 1.194 OPS.
What’s behind the surge?
“In the last few days, I’ve really pushed myself in the batting cages,” Baty told reporters after Saturday’s 6-5 loss to the Cubs. “Not to make the game easier, but to make practice harder so I bring my best approach to the field.”
He’s changed up his pregame routine, incorporating challenging drills like mixed-pitch batting practice and hitting off a high-velocity machine to simulate game conditions.
“Getting the heart rate up, trying to recreate game pressure — that’s the idea,” Baty said.
It’s paying off. On Saturday, Baty went 2-for-4 with two home runs — one to right field, the other to left — and drove in five runs.
He credits his all-fields power to a disciplined approach at the plate, focusing on hitting fastballs to left-center and breaking balls to right-center.
That approach was evident Saturday. His first homer, a sweeper low and inside, sailed 386 feet to right-center. His second, a middle-of-the-zone fastball, went 381 feet over the left field fence.
