Pete Alonso feels like he’s a “better version” of himself this year, and a more complete player and hitter than he was even in his monster 2019 rookie year.
And part of that has been the managerial tutelage of Buck Showalter, who has the Mets with 50 wins heading into their halfway point of the season Tuesday night in Cincinnati.
“I feel like for me personally, Buck has been incredible.
I’ve just really enjoyed not just talking with him on a personal level, but baseball as well,” Alonso told Carton & Roberts on Tuesday. “He’s so incredibly baseball savvy. He has hunches or feelings and he kind of blends those old school baseball instincts with the data, so he has extra insurance that he’s able to make the right decision.”
Alonso said Buck manages a lot with “the eye test,” understanding what he’s seeing being in the rhythm of the game, and that is making his in-game decisions that much more effective.
“It’s seeing something and trusting it, and having certain analytics to confirm that. For me, he’s been pushing all the right buttons so far,” Alonso said.
The 2021 Mets were 44-37 after a July 4 doubleheader split with the Yankees last year, so no matter the result of Game 81 of 2022, these Mets are, in the win/loss ledger, better. They’re also a lot different, a lot more resilient – which can only help prevent a 29-45 second half like last year’s team had.
“Our resilience has been incredible. I feel like six or eight weeks ago, things were different,” Alonso said. “Team-wise, I just think collectively we’re extremely prepared and have so much mental toughness and grit that were going to get it done – and were not afraid to pass the baton because our lineup is deep, and everyone can help win a ballgame. It’s a tough lineup to navigate, and we trust the guys next to us and believe in each other.”
That starts at the top, he said, with Brandon Nimmo, who Craig believed is the most underrated or underappreciated player in New York.
“We appreciate him a hell of a lot,” Alonso said. “He’s the guy that sets the tone every day out of the leadoff spot. His plate discipline is unmatched, he puts together great at-bats, and runs the bases well, and because he sets the tone and sees so many pitches, he gives us great feedback on what the guy on the mound has every day.”
And unlike last year’s Mets, who fell apart a bit as injuries took hold, this year’s team has done most of their damage without a good chunk of their rotation.
“Six or eight weeks ago, people were talking about us missing Jake (deGrom) and Max (Scherzer), and for us to not have those two horses, and not have Tylor Megill…our starters have been doing a great job holding down the fort, and we’ve been backing it up with good offense and defense,” Alonso said. “Not being at full power, to be 50-30 is huge, and a lot of people didn’t think we’d be at that point. And getting them back, it’s going to be really scary.”
Sunday marked deGrom’s first rehab start and Scherzer returns to the MLB mound Tuesday, so that scare is on the way.
“It’s going to be great having Max back,” Alonso said of the latter return. “The guy is a Hall of Famer, and it’s great to have a Hall of Famer on the mound for you. He’s one of the best, so it’s going to be awesome.”
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