Beyond home runs, Pete Alonso ignites the Orioles clubhouse with infectious energy and vocal encouragement, already proving a vital veteran presence.
A few days into spring training, the Baltimore Orioles have a record of 1-1-1. We're starting to get a better understanding of which players make the opening day roster, and which are outside the bubble.
For Pete Alonso, he's already made a name for himself in the MLB so he doesn't have nearly as much to prove in these exhibition games. However, that's not slowing him down, as Alonso has two home-runs and three RBI's in his first two spring training games with Baltimore.
We know the type of player Alonso is when he's in that batters box, but the veteran has stepped into a different role so far this season. A vocal clubhouse leader.
Following Baltimore's 4-4 tie against the Detroit Tigers earlier today on February 22, 2026, reports came out that Alonso was the most enthusiastic player in the dugout.
Senior Director at MLB Alex Fast tweeted earlier that Alonso has been cheering before and after every at-bat and giving words of encouragement to his teammates.
This should come to no surprise as Alonso has been a vocal leader since the day he stepped foot into Baltimore.
Third baseman Jordan Westburg previously commented on Alonso's ability to lead by example and communicate:
“Seems like he's going to be a leader in this clubhouse. Big voice for us, veteran, bringing the energy every day," said Westburg.
In Baltimore's first spring training game on February 20, 2026, against the New York Yankees, Alonso left the game moment's after his go-ahead two-run home-run. As Alonso was leaving the field, he yelled to Baltimore's bullpen, "come on guys, let's close out this win!"
Alonso additionally added that he made that comment sarcastically.
Alonso has not only been supportive of his new teammates, but he's brought out a competitive, yet hilarious edge that Baltimore's players haven't been able to necessarily unlock prior to his arrival.
On February 19, 2026, Alonso was facing pitching prospect Nestor German in live batting practice when he hit a weak dribbler up the third base line. Alonso said "oh, that's a knock!"
Seeing players like Westburg speak so highly of Alonso not only gives you more faith in him going forward, but it should give fans more faith in the team seeing how much chemistry they already have.
Alonso isn't just an exceptional baseball player, but he is a club house leader and mentor for the youth -- something that Baltimore hasn't had in quite some time.