Baltimore Orioles Urged to Stay Patient with Pete Alonso Despite Slow Start in 2026 Season

The Baltimore Orioles made one of the boldest moves of the offseason by signing slugger Pete Alonso to a massive five-year, $155 million contract. The deal signaled a clear intention: Baltimore wanted a proven power bat to anchor the middle of its lineup and elevate its offensive ceiling.

Just a few weeks into the season, however, early concerns are beginning to surface.

Alonso’s slow start at the plate has raised eyebrows, but the reality is more nuanced than the raw numbers suggest. While expectations are understandably high for a player of his caliber and contract value, the Orioles are in a position where patience is not just preferred—it’s necessary.

A Slow Start, but Not a Definitive One

Through his first stretch of games, Pete Alonso is hitting .197/.329/.348 with two home runs and seven RBIs. Those numbers fall short of what both the player and the organization envisioned when the deal was signed.

Still, context matters.

Baseball is a sport defined by long seasons and statistical variance. A sample size of fewer than 20 games is far too small to draw meaningful conclusions, especially for a hitter with an established track record like Alonso.

It’s also common for players to press early after signing a major contract. The desire to immediately justify the investment can lead to overaggressive swings, altered approaches, and temporary dips in performance.

The Pressure of a $155 Million Deal

There’s no ignoring the weight that comes with a contract of this magnitude. By committing $155 million over five years, the Baltimore Orioles made Alonso a central figure in their offensive identity.

That brings expectations:

• Consistent power production
• Middle-of-the-order reliability
• Leadership presence in big moments

Complicating matters is Alonso’s player profile. While he is one of the premier power hitters in baseball, he is not known for defensive versatility. Investing heavily in a bat-first player—especially one entering his 30s—always carries risk.

Baltimore understood that risk but prioritized his ability to change games with one swing.

Signs of Encouragement Beneath the Surface

Despite the underwhelming batting average and limited power output so far, there are encouraging indicators that suggest Alonso’s struggles may be temporary.

Plate Discipline Remains Strong

Alonso has already drawn 13 walks, ranking among the top players in Major League Baseball. This suggests that pitchers are still approaching him with caution, avoiding the strike zone rather than challenging him directly.

That’s a critical detail.

If opposing pitchers feared him less, they would attack aggressively. Instead, they continue to pitch around him—an indication that his reputation as an elite power threat remains intact.

Respect from Opposing Pitchers

The reluctance to throw hittable pitches means Alonso isn’t seeing many easy opportunities. That can contribute to lower batting averages early on, but it also reflects how dangerous he is perceived to be.

Small Moments Can Spark Big Turnarounds

Alonso recently delivered a home run that quickly became a fan-favorite highlight—caught by a spectator wearing a polar bear head, a nod to his “Polar Bear” nickname. While symbolic, moments like these can sometimes help players reset mentally and regain confidence.

Baseball often turns on rhythm and timing, and one good swing can be the beginning of a breakout stretch.

Orioles’ Broader Offensive Context

Alonso’s slow start has been amplified by a larger issue: inconsistency across the Orioles’ offense.

The Baltimore Orioles experienced similar streakiness last season, and those patterns appear to be resurfacing. When a team struggles collectively, individual slumps tend to stand out more—especially for high-profile players.

If the lineup around Alonso begins to stabilize, it could ease the pressure on him and create better opportunities for production.

Proven Track Record Matters

One of the strongest arguments for patience is Alonso’s history.

Before joining Baltimore, Pete Alonso built his reputation with the New York Mets as one of the most consistent power hitters in the league. He has delivered multiple high-home-run seasons and remains a constant threat to change the game with a single at-bat.

Players with that level of production do not suddenly lose their ability overnight.

More often, early-season slumps are corrections waiting to happen.

When Should Concern Become Real?

While patience is the correct approach now, it won’t last indefinitely.

If Alonso’s struggles extend deeper into the season—particularly into the summer months—then concerns will become more legitimate. At that point, questions about adjustment, aging, and long-term value may begin to surface.

Key indicators to watch include:

• Hard contact rate
• Strikeout trends
• Performance against fastballs in the zone
• Consistency with runners in scoring position

If those metrics begin trending negatively over a larger sample size, the conversation will shift from patience to concern.

Final Thoughts

For now, the Baltimore Orioles have little choice but to stay the course with Pete Alonso.

The investment is significant, the expectations are high, and the early returns are underwhelming—but not alarming.

Baseball seasons are marathons, not sprints. And players of Alonso’s caliber often find their rhythm sooner rather than later.

The power is still there. The respect from pitchers hasn’t faded. The results just haven’t fully caught up yet.

If and when they do, this early-season concern could quickly turn into a distant memory rather than a defining narrative.

For now, patience isn’t just advisable—it’s essential.