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Pete Alonso's 2026 Silver Slugger aspirations should have Orioles hopeful more is on the way

ByBrian Burrows
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Sep 25, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso (25) follows through on a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Sep 25, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso (25) follows through on a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The signing of Pete Alonso ended up being a remarkable success for the Baltimore Orioles this season. The 31-year-old led the American League in home runs and RBIs, and his .884 OPS was his best since rookie season. Not only was he great offensively, but his defense bounced back from -9 Outs Above Average in 2024 and '25 to 0 in 2026.

Offensively, Alonso will certainly be a finalist for the AL Silver Slugger at first base this season, and is likely the favorite in what will be a close contest between him and the Yankees' Ben Rice. While he won't win the MVP this season, he'll likely finish in the top 10 or even top 5 after his incredible season, and it should have fans hopeful for future seasons to come.

The biggest hurdle fans are going to hope he overcomes in year two in orange and black is his slow start. At the end of April, Alonso was hitting .198 with a .668 OPS. Through his first 31 games, he had hit just four home runs and driven in only 13.

Orioles fans can hope that Pete Alonso's form from May on is how he plays in all of 2027

From May 1st to the end of the season, the Polar Bear hit .284 with a .936 OPS. In his next 130 games, he launched 39 home runs and had 100 RBIs. It was a 162-game pace of 48 home runs and 124 driven in. Those kinds of numbers could have put him in the MVP conversation.

Orioles fans can be hopeful for the 2027 season, though, because historically Alonso is not a slow starter. In the months of March and April, the righty is a career .260 hitter with an .872 OPS, and that includes the 2026 season. If he can recapture that form in the first month next season, Orioles fans should have their MVP hopes through the roof.

The Orioles have Alonso for the next four seasons. He is one of the best offensive first basemen in the game, and historic seasons from first basemen have won them MVPs in the past. Alonso will have three top-11 MVP finishes in his career, so the thought has to be on his mind that if he can put it together across an entire season, the chance is there.

For now, Birdland should be hoping for Alonso to win his second career Silver Slugger award. Next year, though, they should be pushing for him to excel all season and win the first Orioles MVP since Cal Ripken in 1991.

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