Yonder Alonso just what the Padres need at first

YonderAlonsoPadres
I've heard the arguments. First basemen should hit more homers. First basemen should drive in more runs.

But at this point in time, the Padres are better off with Yonder Alonso at first base than anyone else.

Offensively and defensively, Alonso is the best option. Yes, Wil Myers proved he could play first when Alonso first went on the disabled list May 8 with the bone bruise to his right scapula. And Yangervis Solarte did the best possible job when he took over at first when Myers (left wrist tendinitis) followed Alonso to the DL three days later.

But Myers and Solarte both better serve the Padres elsewhere if Alonso is hitting what he is hitting -- which is .352 with a .439 on-base percentage.

When Alonso was injured, he was hitting .333 with a .427 on-base percentage, marks that ranked among the top five hitters in the National League. He was 3-for-4 with two runs against the Mets on Tuesday night in his return from the DL.

Plus, Alonso made a leaping catch to deprive the Mets of an extra-base hit when the game was still in question.

The left-handed-hitting Alonso is adept at playing first base. He's a superior defender to Solarte, a switch-hitter who could still spell Alonso at first against tougher left-handed pitchers. Myers looked good at first, but the sample size is too small to really define his ability there.

Besides, the Padres are better served by having the bats of both Alonso and Myers in the lineup. That might also go for Solarte.


Bookmark and Share
(padres.com)
blog comments powered by Disqus