Mets' Pete Alonso named to NL All-Star team, will compete in Home Run Derby; Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor snubbed
Pete Alonso of the Mets hits as double in the fourth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 5, 2024 in Pittsburgh. Credit: Getty Images/Justin Berl
PITTSBURGH — At least for now, the Mets have only one All-Star: Pete Alonso.
Neither Brandon Nimmo nor Francisco Lindor was selected in the player poll or by MLB to represent their team and the National League in the Midsummer Classic on July 16.
This marks Alonso’s fourth selection in five seasons. The feeling of gratification that comes with that never changes, he said.
“I feel truly blessed,” a highly enthusiastic 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. Really, really cool.”
Alonso later announced on Instagram that he again will compete in the Home Run Derby. The two-time winner’s stance in the past had been that he would do the Derby only if he were an All-Star.
Lindor and Nimmo remain eligible to be selected as injury replacements in the coming days, but there was some surprise among Mets personnel that they weren’t chosen already.
“I’ve done what I can do,” Nimmo said. “I’m just not winning the popularity contest right now.”
Lindor said: “I would’ve loved to make it, but it’s part of the thing. Not everybody can make it. I’m sure the ones that made it are having great years. Congrats to them.”
Manager Carlos Mendoza said: “I feel like we could’ve named a couple other guys, but proud of Pete . . . I still hope they get a chance to get in.”
Nimmo ranks second among NL outfielders with 2.8 wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs. Lindor is third among shortstops in the league with a 3.3 WAR.
Lindor hasn’t been an All-Star in his four seasons with the Mets. Nimmo has never been an All-Star in his career.
Mendoza informed Alonso of the honor before the Mets’ 3-2 win over the Pirates on Sunday. His method: initiating a serious-sounding conversation and pulling the first baseman into his office.
“I was kind of confused,” Alonso said. “I was like, what? What’s going on? He’s like, ‘Hey, I need to talk to you,’ acting all serious. But it was good.”
Alonso has had a fine first half, albeit with the lowest OPS (.789) of his career. With a team-high 18 home runs, he is on pace for what would be his lowest total over a full season.
“He got hot and then he got cold,” Mendoza said. “This is a guy who can carry us. I like the at-bats as of late. I think he’s making progress as far as the chases go. But the impact’s there. He’s a game-changer. When he’s at the plate, anything can happen.”
Alonso said: “I’m really pleased with some parts but I’m really excited for better things to come.”
He will head to Arlington, Texas, for All-Star festivities alone, barring a change.
“They’ve played their tails off,” Alonso said of Nimmo and Lindor. “Those guys have been proven they can be there. They’re playing at a super-high caliber. There’s still time.”
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
