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Mets star slugger, their lone representative at the All-Star game, announces appearance in the Home Run Derby
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Mets star slugger, their lone representative at the All-Star game, announces appearance in the Home Run Derby

Originally posted on Empire Sports Media  |  By Ben Palillo  |  Last updated 7/8/24

For the first time since 2018, when Jacob deGrom went alone to Washington, D.C., the New York Mets are set to have just one representative at the Mid-Summer Classic.

Major League Baseball announced on Sunday night that Pete Alonso had been selected to his fourth National League All-Star team. For Alonso, this is the third straight season he has been chosen for the game.

In 88 games this season, Alonso is slashing .243/.325/.464 with a team-high 18 home runs and 48 RBIs while also mashing 21 doubles.

“I feel truly blessed. I’m really excited. It’s going to be really fun getting out there,” Alonso said. “It’s really elite company. It’s such an honor. I’m very humbled and very happy to partake. It’s really cool.”

The Polar Bear will be doing more than just coming off the bench in Arlington.

Pete Alonso is returning to the home run derby

After being announced to the team, Alonso said he would participate in his fifth home run derby.

The 29-year-old won the competition as a rookie in Cleveland in 2019 and again in 2021 in Colorado but hasn’t won since falling to Julio Rodriguez in back-to-back years. A third win would match Ken Griffey Jr. for the most all-time. The Polar Bear is the all-time leader in home runs in the competition’s history with 195.

Could more Mets join Alonso?

If other players cannot participate due to injury or opting out, there is potential for more Mets to join Alonso in Texas. The two prime candidates to join the Florida native are Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo.

In 88 games, Lindor has slashed .250/.316/.447 with 15 home runs and 45 RBIs. The Puerto Rican native is 11th in baseball in fWAR at 3.5 and is the only player in the top 24 not to make the game.

Nimmo has appeared in 83 games this season, slashing .249/.368/.443 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs. The Wyoming native has a 2.8 fWAR, second amongst National League outfielders.

Time will tell if Lindor and Nimmo find their way onto the roster, but for now, Alonso is heading alone to the Lone Star State.

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This article first appeared on Empire Sports Media and was syndicated with permission.

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