LAS VEGAS — Peter Alonso will pack his belongings and leave town next week, eventually landing in New York — albeit not for the kind of Citi Field engagement he yearned for as summer progressed.
As a minor league player invited to a Mets skills camp for one week, Alonso — a slugging first baseman who has emerged as one of the organization’s top prospects — will inhale the aroma of a big-league setting, without a seat at the dinner table.
Such was the reality recently presented to the 23-year-old Alonso when Mets special assistant Omar Minaya informed him he wouldn’t be among the team’s September call-ups.
For somebody who entered Thursday at Triple-A Las Vegas with 33 homers and 110 RBIs split between two levels this season, the news hurt.
Explanations offered by the Mets included overcrowding at first base, with Jay Bruce and Wilmer Flores in the mix and Dominic Smith soon to return. Mets officials also indicated they wanted to preserve a 40-man roster spot, and Alonso doesn’t need to be added for protection from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.
Alonso’s agents expressed disappointment with the Mets through the media. Alonso even offered a comment expressing his frustration. Backlash ensued on social media, with Alonso sparring on Twitter with a New York radio host.
“Before the statement came out I had a private conversation with Omar and they knew how I felt,” Alonso said Thursday at Cashman Field, home of the Las Vegas 51s. “They knew I was disappointed, but the one thing I want to clear up is I kind of feel people are trying to create something between me and the Mets. I bleed blue and orange.”
To accentuate his point, Alonso, a Tampa native, spoke of a seventh-grade Spanish project in which he profiled Jose Reyes. The previous summer, Alonso had spent time in Cooperstown with his youth league team and was subjected to Mets games on TV. Reyes was in his prime at that point, a top player in the National League.
“It was a simple biography,” Alonso said. “Pick a famous Latin person and then you have to give a presentation in Spanish. I went into seventh grade and that is when I was like, ‘This guy is an electric player, he is super fun to watch.’ ”
Alonso is creating the same effect, with his mammoth home runs in the minor leagues. His blast at the All-Star Futures game in Washington was Mark McGwire-like in nature and has added to his lore.
But there are questions about Alonso’s defense at first base. Team talent evaluators say Alonso has made significant strides at the position since last season, but he is still unpolished.
“I have shown drastic improvements, and I am proud of that,” Alonso said. “It was really frustrating last year and for where I’m at, I am very pleased.”
The journey will continue in the Arizona Fall League, where Alonso will be among seven Mets minor leaguers getting a look in the high-profile setting.
The disappointment of missing a September call-up will continue to push Alonso, as he plans toward spring training 2019.
“It’s motivation to go to the Fall League and just showcase more and showcase I can stay consistent, not just in the season, but after,” Alonso said. “I can just continue to hit and spring training will be another opportunity to showcase myself.”
Alonso’s faith he can thrive in the major leagues has only been bolstered by the success of his close friend Jeff McNeil, who has been a top performer for the Mets since getting called up in late July. The 26-year-old McNeil was barely on the organization’s radar when the season began, but hit his way to the major leagues after beginning the season at Double-A Binghamton.
“That is what you love to see because he put himself in a position where he made it happen,” Alonso said. “He hit at Double-A, he hit here, and he’s done it. He’s doing it up there, which is awesome to see. He deserves it and I am really happy he has performed.”
