The Orioles didn’t just make a splash this offseason-they sent a message. And that message showed up early to Spring Training in Sarasota, laced up in teal cleats and ready to work.
Pete Alonso, Baltimore’s $155 million man, wasted no time integrating himself into his new clubhouse. Despite position players not being required to report yet, the veteran slugger arrived early, setting the tone for what he clearly expects to be a big year-not just for himself, but for a team with serious October ambitions.
Alonso’s presence at Ed Smith Stadium this week was impossible to miss. Clad in a black sleeveless hoodie and Orioles-themed baseball pants, he took time Wednesday morning to connect with fans along the backfields. The moment didn’t go unnoticed-supporters lined up for autographs, photos, and a chance to meet the guy already being embraced as the face of Baltimore’s next big push.
The crowd around Alonso wasn’t just about celebrity. It was about belief.
This is a fan base that’s seen the rebuild, watched the prospects rise, and now sees the front office putting its chips on the table. Alonso, a proven power bat and clubhouse leader, is the kind of player who can take a promising roster and elevate it into something more.
And he’s not just here to be a name on the lineup card. Alonso is projected to be the everyday first baseman and a cornerstone in the heart of the order. His arrival signals a shift in how this franchise is thinking-more aggressive, more assertive, and more focused on winning now.
The numbers speak for themselves. In his final season with the Mets, Alonso delivered one of the most complete campaigns of his career: a .272 average, 170 hits, 38 home runs, 126 RBIs, and 87 runs scored across a full 162-game slate. That kind of production earned him his first Silver Slugger Award and reminded everyone why he’s one of the premier power threats in the game.
But what’s already standing out in Sarasota goes beyond the stat sheet. Alonso’s early arrival, his willingness to engage with fans, and the way he’s carrying himself all point to a player who understands the moment. He’s not just stepping into a new uniform-he’s stepping into a leadership role on a team that’s ready to contend.
Pete Alonso already a popular man in Orioles camp pic.twitter.com/NY1mr2Ty3s
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) February 11, 2026
Spring Training always brings optimism, but this year feels different in Baltimore. With Alonso in the fold, the Orioles aren’t just hoping-they’re building. And if the first few days of camp are any indication, Pete Alonso is already making himself right at home.