Pete Alonso has homered in every game he’s donned an Orioles uniform.
It’s only been two Grapefruit League exhibitions, but Alonso’s O’s career is off to quite the start. After going deep in Friday’s Grapefruit opener vs. the Yankees, the 31-year-old first baseman hit another home run in Sunday’s 4-4 tie against the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.
Alonso, who signed a five-year, $155 million deal with Baltimore on Dec. 11, has fit seamlessly into his new team’s lineup and its clubhouse. The Polar Bear is already a vocal leader -- and now, he’s showing the pop that made him such a heavily sought-after free agent.
Alonso’s first Orioles homer was a massive two-run blast to left field on Friday. His second homer -- a third-inning solo shot off left-hander Konnor Pilkington -- was pulled to left-center, an impressive feat given the wind was blowing out toward right.
A resident of nearby Tampa, Alonso is open to playing road games this spring, as many of the ballparks the O’s visit aren’t far from his home. Plus, he prefers to get a lot of Spring Training reps ahead of Opening Day.
“I like getting prepped for the season,” Alonso said recently. “I think getting as many looks from different arms is a good thing.”
This rate might be unsustainable, but Alonso is likely to hit plenty of home runs from the heart of Baltimore’s lineup this season -- and the next four.