The 2019 Home Run Derby may feature some of the most dedicated contestants the event has seen in years, and Pete Alonso is among those who appear to be taking it very seriously.
Like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alonso has spent time this week practicing hitting bombs for the Derby. The New York Mets shared a video on Wednesday of the slugger working with his cousin Derek, who will be pitching to him in Cleveland.
In it to win it.@Pete_Alonso20 and his cousin Derek are hard at work, preparing for next week’s home run derby. pic.twitter.com/ombPZI4TEV
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 3, 2019
Alonso is one of the favorites to win the event, which makes sense considering he ranks third in the majors with 28 home runs this year. According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, Alonso was hitting a long ball roughly every other swing.
Pete Alonso is taking his Home Run Derby prep seriously. He's out practicing with his cousin, Derek Morgan, for the second day in a row.
By my count, he's hit 16 homers in 39 swings, including several to the batter's eye in straightaway center and two to the second deck in left.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 3, 2019
Between Alonso’s prep work and the way Guerrero was destroying balls in practice the other day, MLB’s young stars look like they’re ready to put on quite the show during All-Star Weekend.
