2019 Mets King of Spring Training update #2

Greetings, KoST enthusiasts! The Mets are now officially halfway through spring training, which means you get to start your week off right with an update on the race for the illustrious title of King of Spring Training.

The list of early favorites I reviewed last week has further separated themselves from the pack, with potential Opening Day first basemen still reigning supreme. KoST candidate from last week Gavin Cecchini was a victim of the first round of roster cuts, but his .286/.583/.429 slash line in seven at-bats lives on in KoST legacy.

Let’s see how our frontrunners are doing.

Pete Alonso - .414/.469/.828 in 29 ABs

Pete Alonso is simply crushing the baseball. There’s not much else to say. His 80 grade power is on full display and it’s a thing of beauty to behold. Did you see the time he vaporized a baseball and hit it over the Fenway South monster and out of the stadium? Even if you did, here it is so you can watch it again. You’re welcome. Will the Mets still try to manipulate his service time? Maybe. Is Alonso making it extremely difficult for them to do so without looking silly? Absolutely.

KoST points: 6

Total KoST points to-date: 11

Dominic Smith - .423/.483/.577 in 26 ABs

The only thing that’s in the way of Alonso being the indisputable choice for the first base job is Dominic Smith’s strong spring. Smith’s eleven hits (tied with J.D. Davis) are second only to Alonso for the team lead. Smith and J.D. Davis lead the team in RBIs with seven. Mickey Callaway has discussed the possibility of having both Alonso and Smith on the Opening Day roster and hasn’t ruled it out. While most of Smith’s hits have been singles, he has made himself impossible to ignore this spring.

KoST points: 5

Total KoST points to-date: 10

J.D. Davis - .314/.368/.457

Speaking of J.D. Davis, he is in the conversation for reps at first base as well at this point, since he is also having a very good spring thus far with the only blemish being his third base defense. With Jed Lowrie and Todd Frazier both still sidelined, Davis has a strong case to make the roster and his potential positional flexibility as a corner outfielder is helpful.

KoST points: 4

Total KoST points to-date: 8

Rajai Davis - .278/.364/.611 in 18 ABs

Both players named Davis are having themselves a good spring. Rajai Davis has slowed down a little bit since last week, but he still has an outside shot at the KoST title if he heats up again in the second half of spring training. Four of his five hits this spring have been for extra bases.

KoST points: 2

Total KoST points to-date: 6

Luis Guillorme - .429/.520/.667 in 21 ABs

A player who hasn’t slowed down much is Luis Guillorme, who continues to stay hot with the bat this spring. His .429 batting average and .520 on-base percentage are both behind only Robinson Cano and Amed Rosario among players with at least 10 at-bats.

KoST points: 4

Total KoST points to-date: 8

Other players with KoST points

Gavin Cecchini (.286/.583/.429 in 7 ABs): 2

I will likely be checking in with one final update before I put up the final poll shortly before Opening Day to choose the KoST champion, so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, good luck to all of our contenders!