Pete Alonso naturally hoped to make an instantaneous impression in his first season with the Baltimore Orioles.
The slugging first baseman is struggling on the plate, with a .205/.279/.308 line and only one dwelling run — matching the Orioles’ personal 4-6 stumble out of the gate.
Excessive expectations for Polar Bear
The Orioles count on so much from The Polar Bear after signing him to a five-year, $155M contract as a free agent within the offseason to spice up a group that completed final within the American League East final season. Alonso set the New York Mets’ franchise file for profession dwelling runs with 264 in seven seasons.
“When we’ve got alternatives to attain, we don’t at all times benefit from that, and I really feel like I’m form of on the coronary heart of that,” Alonso stated. “I imply, it’s been robust, and it’s been slightly little bit of every little thing. It simply form of stinks proper now.”
Orioles are injured and inconsistent
Nonetheless, the 31-year-old five-time All-Star has been round lengthy sufficient to know the Orioles nonetheless have 152 video games remaining. It additionally doesn’t assist that second baseman Jackson Holliday, third baseman Jordan Westburg and outfielder Heston Kjerstad are on the injured record.
“We’re not going to play our greatest baseball on a regular basis, however fortunately, we’ve got an extended technique to go to scrub issues up after which execute higher,” Alonso stated. “We additionally must get wholesome. In case you get our greatest guys on the market and play good, clear baseball, then you definately’ve acquired a shot to be good.
“Simply because you’ve gotten a gradual begin doesn’t suggest something in direction of the top of the season. It’d be nice to exit and win 9 video games in a row, however it is a marathon, and we’ve got loads of alternatives and possibilities to get higher and win plenty of ballgames.”
Sloppy play plaguing Orioles
After an extended rebuild, the Orioles gained many video games in 2023 and 2024, making consecutive postseason appearances. Following a 75-87 season, they rebooted this offseason by signing Alonso and hiring Cleveland bench coach Craig Albernaz.
The Orioles have performed sloppily to this point this season, irritating Albernaz, who emphasised the sport’s finer factors in spring coaching.
“We had an excellent camp, and we’re making an attempt to redefine ourselves, that it is getting again to basic baseball factors, and doing the little issues,” Albernaz stated. “The work’s nonetheless not accomplished. We all know we nonetheless must get higher, and that is on us. Myself and the teaching employees must carry on pushing our guys to maintain getting higher.”
All quotations obtained firsthand except in any other case famous.
