After his most recent career slump in 2024, New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso knew something had to change. His inconsistencies and cold streaks hurt his team’s offense.
The first thing that the 30-year-old did was to acknowledge his flaws. He admitted that his performance needed to improve. “People just care about production. When the lights come on, you have to perform, and I haven’t done that,” Alonso told SNY in 2024.
Then, Alonso made a decision — an unconventional one — that has seriously transformed his 2025 campaign. Now he’s not just back, his batting numbers are on track to be better than ever.
Pete Alonso Commits to Personal Prep Team
The surprising part about his transformation is that he didn’t have to tweak his swing or turn to a new batting coach. Alonso simply adapted by putting together a personal prep team that studies his at-bats.
According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, this was the first time in his seven-year career that he had opted to take external help. The new team effectively acts as his front office to help him understand data, research, and create plans against opposing pitchers.
“I’m just trying to look at everything I possibly can in-depth,” Alonso told Sammon. “And not just look at it. But really try to think and apply. It’s not like an idea — I have a great picture. Every day, the whole thing is, I’m going to paint a picture of what it is going to look like coming at the plate.”
The Polar Bear strikes again!
Pete Alonso passes David Wright for 2nd place on the @Mets all time home run list! pic.twitter.com/WXoCqGrEZe
— MLB (@MLB) June 8, 2025
The information for his study comes from analysts related to his agent, Scott Boras, and from people at his Tampa, Fla.-based workout group, Diesel Optimization.
In the Mets’ 13-5 win over Colorado on June 8, Alonso hit a pair of two-run home runs. In the process, he became the Mets’ second-highest home run hitter, going past David Wright, but is still behind Darryl Strawberry, who has 253 homers.
New York Mets Slugger Taking It to the ‘Next Level’
Alonso is now packed with information and more prepared than ever when he arrives at the ballpark. Mets’ co-hitting coach Jeremy Barnes felt the first baseman “has taken that to the next level.” The Mets’ slugger revealed he not only studies plans in depth but also thinks deeply about executing them.
“Knowledge is power,” Alonso stated as the reason for this transformation into a complete hitter.
Both his coaches and teammates have taken note of this remarkable change. In 2025, he is slashing at .301/.396/.594, including 17 home runs – a result of both improved mechanics and meticulous pre-game planning.
MORE: Mets Icon David Wright Honors Pete Alonso’s Milestone with Classy Message
“He’s done his homework well before we’ve pumped out any information that we need to pump out,” Barnes told The Athletic.
Brandon Nimmo, Alonso’s teammate on the Mets, added: “Even just outside of the planning that way we do, he has invested in himself and gotten outside help as well, and that’s great. It’s definitely a change. It’s definitely made a difference. It’s paying off.
Would Alonso Test Free Agency?
Alonso signed a two-year, $54 million deal before spring training with an option to opt out after 2025. If he chooses free agency while continuing to put up strong numbers, combined with the 30-year-old’s recent evolution, he will hit the market as a player in his prime and could land a major long-term contract.
Pete Alonso on what’s going on behind the scenes:
“No one really cares about that… When the lights come on, you’ve gotta perform, and I haven’t done that.” pic.twitter.com/TFq66oBsiY
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 5, 2024
If he re-signs with the Mets, he could break the franchise’s all-time home run record. For the 2025 season, Alonso is on track to top his personal best batting average of .271 from the 2022 season. More importantly, he will hope to push the Mets into postseason contention this year.
Whether he stays at Queens or opts for free agency, one thing is certain: Alonso is a transformed slugger. He has learned that prepping and outsmarting the pitchers starts in the offseason.