Pete Alonso Settling In Nicely In First Campaign With Baltimore Orioles
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Pete Alonso is thriving in his first season with the Baltimore Orioles, combining power and consistency at the plate. The slugger has recently heated up, increasing his home run output while maintaining a strong batting average. After joining the Orioles, Alonso has settled in well with the team, finding success in Baltimore's lineup. His dual threat, both the ability to drive the ball for distance and hit for average, gives the Orioles a formidable presence in the middle of their batting order. Early returns suggest the acquisition has paid off for the franchise.
Alonso's hot bat has been big for the striding Orioles.
When the Baltimore Orioles made a surprise splash in signing slugger Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million dollar contract, they were signing up for his power bat to anchor the cleanup hole in their order.
A little over two months into his first season in Baltimore, that is exactly what the first baseman has done for the team. Over the last month, he has even taken that success a step further, heating up as the team has found an all-around stride.
Over his last 30 games, Alonso has hit .282 with an OPS of .829. He has hit seven of his 13 homers in that span, settling in nicely in his first year with the team.
Alonso has never had an issue in spraying hits all over the field. But so far in 2026, his power has progressed in that manner, as eight of his 13 home runs have gone the opposite way to right field. In Saturday’s loss against the Toronto Blue Jays, Alonso’s 13th bomb of the year went deep to right-center.
Eight opposite-field home runs is already Alonso’s second-highest total in a season in his career. He recorded a career-high 10 homers the opposite way in 2025, accumulating a 26.3% opposite-field homer percentage. His 61.5% tally this season would pretty easily be his highest total yet.
Alonso’s homer also marked his 16th career long ball when facing an 0-2 count. Alonso has been among the league’s best in the pitcher’s count, leading the league in 0-2 count homers since his debut at the start of the 2019 season.
For a player who has never consistently hit for a high average, Alonso’s recent run has had that, and it has been one that has fueled the team. In his last 17 games, he has totaled a .303 batting average and has been a force with runners on in recording 14 RBI.
It is no secret that the Orioles have been striding. Baltimore are winners of nine of their last 13 games and the team now sits just one game out of a Wild Card spot. Their recent surge, anchored by Alonso in the cleanup hole, has even seen the team record seven or more hits in 11 straight games, the longest active streak across the league.
When Baltimore signed Alonso in early December, they were banking on his consistent bat at the heart of the order to thrive. When the team needed him most after a rough start to May, they have been able to rely on him to collectively get their bats going.