Pete Alonso’s true path to Flushing has begun

This Mets offseason saw the team acquire a plethora of players that can help provide depth. Whether that is in the outfield or the infield, there are plenty of players to go around. Sometimes, that means some roads to the big league’s are altered, even for just a little while. After day one of Spring Training, however, Pete Alonso is looking to not take any shortcuts on this way to Flushing.

The highly-touted first baseman mashed a 94-mph fastball by Touki Toussaint, one of the top prospects from the Atlanta Braves, over the left-center wall in the first pitch of his 2019 Spring Training campaign. This came after two defensive mistakes that provided the Braves with a few runs. The Mets ended up winning the game 4-3.

Now going by Pete instead of Peter, Alonso is hoping he can continue to prove why he is a Baseball America Top-100 Prospect. The 24-year-old hit .285/.395/.579 with 31 home runs, 119 RBIs and 136 hits in 132 games between Las Vegas and Binghamton last year. One thing is for sure: he wants a spot on the Mets’ Opening Day roster.

“I want to play the best I can consistently. There’s kind of a toss up (at first base),” Alonso stated to the media after the game. “Just want to be that guy on the opening day roster and there are other guys that want that job too so I need to keep working hard and play well. It’s Game One, and hopefully I can continue to play well during these five weeks we got left in spring.”

With the likes of Jed Lowrie, Dominic Smith and especially Todd Frazier on the roster, Alonso’s chances of making the roster heading into Spring Training was not looking so good. Management wants to see him develop further, if only for a little while longer. While it was only one game, it would be very hard to deny Alonso an opportunity if he continues to produce.

The right-handed Alonso was drafted by the Mets in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft. In three seasons in the minors, the Tampa-born Alonso has dominated all aspects of minor league pitching. The idea of joining the main roster come April is realistic, even with hurdles in the way.

Saturday’s effort is a start. With plenty of time before the Mets pack their bags for Flushing, Alonso will look to capitalize on any opportunity.