Pete Alonso begins a new chapter in 2026 after joining the Baltimore Orioles on a five-year, $155 million contract. After settling for a short deal during last winter’s slow market, Alonso responded with an excellent 2025 season in New York, posting an .871 on-base plus slugging (OPS) with 38 home runs, an NL-leading 41 doubles, and 80 extra-base hits across a career-high 709 plate appearances.
He played all 162 games for the second straight year and continued to produce elite run production, driving in 463 runs over the past four regular seasons, which trails only Aaron Judge in that span.
Baltimore targeted Alonso to anchor the middle of its order and should slot him into the cleanup spot behind Gunnar Henderson and ahead of Adley Rutschman. Camden Yards underwent alterations to the left-field wall prior to 2025, and Alonso looks well positioned to take advantage of the park’s power profile from the right side.
While his batting average may regress closer to his career norms, his power and run production remain bankable traits that play well in both real and fantasy contexts.
For the Mets, Alonso’s departure leaves a significant void in the middle of their lineup. The organization moves into 2026 without Alonso, Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil, creating multiple areas of need for president of baseball operations David Stearns.
Alonso’s opt-out and immediate declaration to test the market made his exit more predictable, but losing his right-handed power and lineup protection is still a major challenge for New York, particularly after Juan Soto’s 43-home run debut season in Queens. Defensive concerns also contributed to the Mets’ long-term evaluation, and the club now shifts its focus to addressing left field, the rotation, and the bullpen while likely dealing from a surplus of designated-hitter types.
Baltimore, on the other hand, continues to make aggressive moves to compete in the American League East. Alonso’s signing highlighted an offseason that also included the additions of Shane Baz, Taylor Ward, Ryan Helsley, Andrew Kittredge, and Zach Eflin. That gives new manager Craig Albernaz a deeper lineup with legitimate power, patience, and versatility.
A projected 2026 lineup featuring Jackson Holliday, Henderson, Alonso, and Rutschman provides one of the stronger run-producing cores in the division, though it also creates a roster squeeze involving Samuel Basallo, Tyler O’Neill, and Ryan Mountcastle. Mountcastle, in particular, appears likely to be moved, and Alonso could transition into a primary designated hitter role if his defense becomes a concern.
What to Expect from Pete Alonso in 2026 Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues
In points formats, Alonso remains one of the most reliable power bats at first base thanks to his combination of plate appearances, home run output, and run production. His strengths include elite durability, a consistent ability to drive the ball into the gaps, and a proven track record of clearing 35 home runs with strong RBI totals.
He does not offer stolen bases, and his strikeout rate can limit weekly efficiency in certain scoring systems, but his reliable volume and extra-base power more than compensate. The move to Baltimore should not materially damage his fantasy value and may even improve it given lineup quality and ballpark context.
Pete Alonso’s 2026 Fantasy Projections and Tier Placement
Assuming full health, Alonso projects for roughly 600 to 650 plate appearances in 2026 with 35 to 42 home runs, 90 to 110 RBI, solid run totals, and an on-base percentage (OBP) that remains fantasy-friendly in points formats due to his walk rate and power profile.
Pete Alonso’s move to Baltimore keeps him firmly within the upper tiers of first base in points leagues. Managers should view him as a strong mid-round cornerstone at the position who offers durable, high-end run production with minimal year-to-year volatility. If he maintains his health and continues to play every day, Alonso profiles as one of the safest power investments for 2026 fantasy drafts.
As far as first-base hierarchy for fantasy baseball points leagues, I rank him at Tier 2 under Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ben Rice, Matt Olson, and Nick Kurtz, and higher than Bryce Harper, Rafael Devers, and Freddie Freeman.
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