Orioles Need Pete Alonso to Crush 14-HR Goal in 2026

The Orioles' first basemen hit just 14 home runs in 2025, the lowest in MLB, but Alonso should easily surpass that mark.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:55pm

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The Baltimore Orioles are hoping that the offseason signing of slugger Pete Alonso will vastly improve their offense in 2026. Alonso has been one of the most prolific power hitters in baseball since his debut in 2019, and he has a clear goal ahead of him - to hit more home runs than the entire Orioles' first base group did in 2025, which was just 14, the lowest total in the majors.

Why it matters

The Orioles' first base position was a major weakness in 2025, and they are counting on Alonso's big bat to provide a significant boost to their lineup. If Alonso can hit significantly more than 14 home runs, it would go a long way towards helping the Orioles improve their offense and make a push for the playoffs.

The details

In 2025, the Orioles' first basemen - including Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O'Hearn, Emmanuel Rivera, Coby Mayo, and Samuel Basallo - combined for just 14 home runs, the lowest total in MLB. Alonso, on the other hand, has hit at least 14 home runs in every season he's played, including a 57-game campaign in 2020. As long as he can stay healthy, there's little doubt he'll be able to surpass that 14-homer mark from the Orioles' first base group in 2026.

  • The Orioles' first basemen hit just 14 home runs in the 2025 season.
  • Pete Alonso signed with the Orioles as a free agent this offseason.

The players

Pete Alonso

A power-hitting first baseman who has been one of the best home run hitters in MLB since his debut in 2019.

Ryan Mountcastle

An Orioles player who saw time at first base in 2025, but only hit 4 home runs.

Ryan O'Hearn

An Orioles player who saw time at first base in 2025, but only hit 3 home runs.

Emmanuel Rivera

An Orioles player who saw time at first base in 2025, but only hit 2 home runs.

Coby Mayo

An Orioles player who saw time at first base in 2025, but only hit 3 home runs.

Samuel Basallo

An Orioles player who saw time at first base in 2025, but only hit 2 home runs.

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What they’re saying

“Pivotal number: 14. That's how many home runs the Orioles got from first basemen in 2025, the lowest figure in the major leagues. With Pete Alonso on board, it's reasonable to imagine that number increasing threefold in 2026. Obviously, the higher it goes, the better off the Orioles' offense will be.”

— Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Writer

The takeaway

The Orioles are banking on Pete Alonso's big bat to provide a major boost to their offense in 2026 after their first basemen combined for just 14 home runs in 2025, the lowest total in MLB. If Alonso can stay healthy and hit at his usual pace, he should easily surpass that 14-homer mark and give the Orioles' lineup the power it was lacking last season.