Pete Alonso’s Orioles tenure is off to a surprisingly rocky start.
The slugging first basemen went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Friday’s 6-3 loss to the Giants, dropping his slash line to .176/.263/.275 after 57 plate appearances.
Those numbers aren’t sitting well with the 31-year-old, who signed a five-year, $155 million contract with Baltimore in December.
“This is not my standard,” Alonso said, via MLB.com. “Results-wise, yeah, it’s unacceptable for me, and I will be better. … I feel bad. A lot of people believe in me, and I believe in myself, but I’m not delivering results. I will. I just haven’t. But I will.”
Alonso Holds Mets Home Run Record
Alonso has been one of the most consistent home run hitters in baseball since debuting with the Mets in 2019. The five-time All-Star has at least 34 homers in every season, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, and holds the Mets franchise record with 264 career longballs.
Last season, his final in New York, Alonso had one of his best all-around seasons, hitting a career-high .272 with 38 homers 126 RBI.
That prolific power, however, hasn’t translated to Baltimore, as Alonso has gone deep just once — March 31 against Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom — over his first 13 games with his new team.
Orioles Off to Slow Start
Alonso’s struggles have contributed to Baltimore’s slow start. The Orioles are 6-7 heading into Saturday’s game against the Giants, averaging just 3.7 runs per game (24th in MLB). Their nine home runs are tied for third-fewest in the majors.
It’s not what Baltimore had in mind coming off a disappointing 75-87 campaign.
“I’m here to win. And I expect more out of myself, and I know other people do as well,” Alonso said. “The best is obviously yet to come. … I will be better.”
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson has easily been the Orioles’ most productive hitter with five homers, 11 RBI and a .245/.344/.585 slash line through 53 at-bats.
Orioles Pete Alonso Shares Blunt Message on ‘Unacceptable’ Start