The New York Mets recently added J.D. Martinez to their lineup, and the impact he is expected to have on the team is already being felt. One player in particular who stands to benefit from Martinez’s presence is Pete Alonso, who now has Martinez’s big bat directly behind him in the batting order.
Alonso wasted no time in showcasing his power, as he smacked his 200th career home run in a game against the Cardinals at Citi Field. This milestone puts Alonso in elite company, as he joins Darryl Strawberry, David Wright, and Mike Piazza as one of only four Mets players to reach this mark. Not only that, but Alonso became the fourth-fastest player in MLB history to reach 200 home runs, trailing only Ryan Howard, Aaron Judge, and Ralph Kiner.
Alonso is excited about the addition of Martinez to the lineup and hopes that it will help the team win games. He recognizes that opposing pitchers may alter their approach when facing him with Martinez on deck, but he is not worried about it. Alonso’s focus remains on capitalizing on any mistakes and hitting the ball hard between the lines.
The theory is that Alonso may see more mistakes and pitches to hit because pitchers are wary of facing Martinez with another runner on base. However, Alonso remains grounded and acknowledges that nothing is guaranteed. His main goal is to execute on what’s in front of him and have good at-bats, whether that means taking walks or putting a good swing on the ball.
Martinez made his debut with the Mets after a brief stint on the injured list due to back tightness. Despite the lack of playing time leading up to his debut, Martinez looked impressive at the plate. Alonso praised Martinez’s ability to consistently hit and described him as one of the best in the game.
The addition of Martinez to the lineup is expected to spark an offense that has seen several players enter mini-slumps. Alonso and Martinez provide a powerful duo in the middle of the lineup, and Alonso is excited about the potential they bring to the team.
Overall, the addition of J.D. Martinez to the Mets’ lineup has already had a significant impact, particularly for Pete Alonso. Alonso’s milestone home run and his praise for Martinez’s hitting ability highlight the potential this duo has to elevate the team’s performance. With Alonso and Martinez leading the way, the Mets’ offense is poised to be a force to be reckoned with.
