NORTH PORT, Fla. — Pete Alonso is again from the World Baseball Classic and the Mets’ first baseman believes he’s higher ready for the 2023 season after having performed within the match.
Alonso returned to spring coaching Thursday to face the Atlanta Braves on the gulf coast. It was a straightforward commute from his dwelling in Tampa and gave him an opportunity to get a break day after USA’s loss to Japan within the Classic’s championship recreation.
The controversy surrounding the match has died down some however you gained’t hear any unfavourable ideas in regards to the recreation’s premier world occasion from Alonso, who mentioned he was effusive in his reward for the occasion.
“I thought it was really, extremely special to play in those high-leverage games,” Alonso mentioned Thursday at CoolToday Park. “Especially proper out of the chute, I believe that have goes to be tremendous beneficial. And additionally, taking part in with a bunch of fantastic gamers and getting an opportunity to try this with my Mets teammates — it’s only a actually, actually unimaginable expertise and I’m actually grateful for it.
“I’m really proud of it.”
Alonso cut up time at first base with reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt through the WBC, so he solely ended up taking 14 at-bats, and had two hits, a run scored and an RBI in these restricted probabilities. But bodily, he seems like he’s proper on observe along with his spring development.
While Jeff McNeil and Adam Ottavino opted to remain again in Port St. Lucie throughout this two-game gulf swing, Alonso opted to make the journey. Playing in Grapefruit League video games means gained’t get the identical quantity of at-bats as McNeil, who had 9 of them in Port St. Lucie on Thursday, however there’s the potential to face Major League pitching.
Alonso went 0-for-4 with a stroll Thursday within the Mets’ 2-2 tie with the Braves and advised supervisor Buck Showalter he had just a few pitches he ought to have taken, however the supervisor isn’t anxious. If something, coming so near profitable a title has solely fueled the hearth for this season.
Alonso likened the expertise of the WBC to the MLB postseason. Going into the match, Alonso hoped that the depth and the adrenaline would really feel like they did for him within the playoffs and he was confirmed right. Having solely performed in three postseason video games in his profession, the 28-year-old Alonso realized beneficial classes that he hopes will finally assist him push the Mets deeper into October.
“Those high-leverage reps early in the year, they were a pretty good reminder of not just what I need to do to be physically ready for the season, but how to kind of control emotions in a super tense situation,” he mentioned. “Whether it be a big series in the year or in the playoffs, I want to be able to draw from those experiences and then apply them.”
All reward apart, the supervisor is aware of that his gamers that left camp for the WBC shall be scrutinized in the event that they fail to supply early within the season. Whether it’s honest or not is a unique story, however Showalter understands what they’re up in opposition to.
“I know a lot of people will probably watch what kind of start they get off to,” Showalter mentioned. “Let’s face it, being in that environment and then being in games in St. Lucie and here, it’s a little bit of an emotional downtick.”
Alonso heard the outcry in regards to the damage danger of the WBC, however it wouldn’t dissuade him from taking part in in one other, with the two-time All-Star saying he would “100%” do it once more if requested by USA Baseball. The lack of Edwin Diaz was felt all the way in which in Phoenix the place Team USA was taking part in its opening rounds, however the damage to the Mets’ star nearer didn’t change Alonso’s thoughts in regards to the match or change something about his overwhelmingly optimistic expertise.
“Adversity comes in many forms and hopefully, Eddie has a speedy and healthy recovery,” Alonso mentioned. “One can be hopeful that he comes back and pitches in the playoffs, but his body is going to dictate everything. I just want him to get back as quickly and as healthy as possible because are going to miss him. But we have some talented individuals who are going to step up.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com