The New York Mets selected University of Florida first baseman Peter Alonso with the 64th overall pick in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Alonso who is considered Florida’s best hitter, has hit .364 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI’s despite missing ten games this season with a broken hand. Last weekend in the Gainesville Regional of the NCAA Baseball Tournament the 21-year old earned Most Outstanding Player honors, as he went 8 for 14 in three games with three home runs and eight RBIs. Alonso’s power potential and hitting prowess is something that has had scouts buzzing all season long, and is why he was selected so highly. MLB.com had Alonso ranked as the 65th draft-eligible prospect and he fell right where many mock drafts had him going. I provided a scouting report below from MLB.com:

“Alonso was making consistent, hard contact for the Gators as his junior season progressed. He’s always had raw power, but didn’t always look like he could tap into it consistently. Lately, however, he’s shortened his swing and begun to use the whole field more effectively, showing extra-base pop to the opposite field. Much of his success stems from a more open stance which has helped him get his hips through more consistently. He’s a first baseman only with well below-average speed, though his hands and footwork at the corner infield position should be adequate.”

The Mets did a great job on the first night of the draft taking two projectable arms and a slugging first baseman oozing with power potential. The Mets still have plenty of picks over the next couple of days, but it is hard not to argue that the Mets had one of the best haul’s on the first night of the draft. It was surprising that the Mets didn’t take a high-school player on the first night as they have been accustomed to doing, but it looks like they are looking for players who are going to move quickly through the system. I give the front office an A+ for the picks they made tonight, based on the potential each of these players carry.