Pete Alonso steps into leadoff role for Orioles in Tampa Bay showdown

In Friday night’s contest versus the Rays in Tampa Bay, the Orioles have placed Pete Alonso at the top of the lineup, marking his inaugural leadoff appearance. Alonso told MLB.com’s Jake Rill that trying something new felt natural, even comparing himself to a right-handed Kyle Schwarber. While his size and sprint speed place him far from the traditional leadoff prototype, his.353 on-base percentage exceeds the league average and suits the role.

Throughout the first half of the season he has mostly batted third or fourth, shifting to the two-hole after the All-Star break, and spent most of his career cleaning up for the Mets. Signed to a five-year, $155 million deal, Alonso rebounded from a sluggish start to post a.259/.353/.480 slash line with 26 home runs and 77 RBIs. The move reflects Baltimore’s effort to capitalize on his ability to reach base despite his unconventional profile.