Mets’ Peter Alonso Stars In Futures Game BP

Image credit: Mets prospects Peter Alonso #34 of Team USA and Andres Gimenez #13 of the World Team take a photo before the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Futures Game is a day-long dream for prospect fans. But as good as the game is, the pre-game batting practice is always an equally impressive show before the show.

BP at the Futures Game is not your normal batting practice. As a couple of players described before BP, it’s a home run derby for many players masquerading as a standard BP. Some players work at least the first couple of rounds on hitting to all fields, but others are yanking and cranking from their first swing.

And what we’re watching for at the Futures Game BP is raw power. So with that in mind here’s a look at who stood out during the BP.

Overall, the humid air in Washington, D.C. didn’t do anyone any favors. Overall the power display didn’t match that of some previous years. But there were some impressive home runs.

The scores are for each player’s total number of home runs. Consider these numbers very unofficial, but we did try very hard to accurately record each and every blast.

 

 

Round 1

The competitors: Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres), Luis Urias (Padres), Yadier Alvarez (Astros), Dawel Lugo (Tigers) and Miguel Amaya (Cubs)

The scores: Tatis Jr. 2, Urias 2, Amaya 1.

Most Impressive BP: Miguel Amaya, Cubs. Yes, Amaya only hit one home run, but it was the longest of the five and he also hit a pair of rocket shots to center field that almost cleared a 15-foot high fence.

Round 2

The competitors: Seuly Matias (Royals), Jesus Sanchez (Rays), Luis Alexander Basabe (White Sox), Yusniel Diaz (Dodgers), Keibert Ruiz (Dodgers).

The scores: Matias 3, Sanchez 3, DIaz 3, Ruiz 2.

Most Impressive BP: Sanchez and Ruiz both reached the second deck in right field with Sanchez’s blast carrying the further of the two. Matias, Ruiz and Sanchez all impressed, but it was Sanchez’s BP that stood out the most. 

Round 3

The competitors: Luis Garcia (Nationals), Heliot Ramos (Giants), Leody Taveras (Rangers), Andres Gimenez (Mets), Randy Arozarena (Cardinals).

The scores: Taveras 3, Garcia.

Most Impressive BP: Garcia showed good thump for an 18-year-old middle infielder, but Taveras wins this one almost by default as he hit the most home runs and yanked one down the line to reach the second deck. Winner: Leody Taveras. 

Round 4

The competitors: Jo Adell (Angels), Danny Jansen (Blue Jays), Buddy Reed (Padres), Brendan Rodgers (Rockies), Bo Bichette (Blue Jays).

The scores: Adell 4, Bichette 3, Jansen 2, Reed, 2, Rodgers 2.

Most impressive BP: When Adell went to the junior home run derby before the Futures Game just two years ago, he struggled to clear the wall. He had no such problems on Sunday. But as impressive as Adell’s four home runs were, Bichette’s were just as impressive. He took two of his three home runs out to center field reaching the patio seating for the Brew House in left center field. Bichette wins a split decision. Winner: Bo Bichette.

Round 5

The competitors: Kyle Lewis (Mariners), Ke’Bryan Hayes (Pirates), Nate Lowe (Rays), Carter Kieboom (Nationals), Alex Kirilloff (Twins).

The scores: Kirilloff 2, Kieboom, Lowe, Hayes.

Most Impressive BP: MLB had placed a camera at the front of the batting practice turtle to get a different view of BP. Lowe hit a liner that destroyed it, sending camera parts scattering around the infield. Lowe and Kirilloff each hit one of the longer home runs of the day with second deck shots to right center field. Winner: Alex Kirilloff.

Round 6

The competitors: Taylor Trammell (Reds), Peter Alonso (Mets), Keston Hiura (Brewers), Andrew Knizner (Cardinals), Ryan Mountcastle (Orioles)

The scores: Alonso 6, Hiura 5, Trammell 4, Knizner 3, Mountcastle 2.

Most Impressive BP: The U.S. saved the best for last as the final batting practice group of the day easily put on the best power show. Trammell hit one out to straight center, landing on the batter’s eye. He also hit one to the second deck in right field and another that traveled well over the fence in deep right center. Hiura showed outstanding raw power for a middle infielder, getting loft and carry as he peppered the left field stands. But Alonso was the standout among the standouts. He cleared the left field stands with one home run. Another landed at the top of the stands in left center field, bouncing onto the concourse. Others carried deep into the left field stands while others showed his power to center field. Winner: Alonso.

Overall: Alonso showed the most impressive raw power during batting practice. We have received multiple reports that his exit velocities throughout his minor league are top tier. We saw why on Sunday.