Pete Alonso Regains Form After ‘Out-of-Control’ Swing in 2024. How has the batting discipline improved?

After a rollercoaster 2024 campaign, Pete Alonso has made a remarkable turnaround in 2025. Not only has he refined his swing mechanics, but the New York Mets slugger has also significantly improved his plate discipline, approach at the plate, and mental game. These improvements have turned Alonso into one of the most dangerous hitters in MLB during the early part of the season.

Refining Swing Mechanics

Hip Positioning and Eliminating Excess Movement

One of the most impactful changes Alonso made was adjusting his hip positioning during his batting stance. Working closely with hitting coach Eric Chavez, Alonso reduced unnecessary movements and improved his balance throughout the swing. This adjustment has helped him better track pitches, especially fastballs and breaking balls that gave him trouble in 2024.

More Open Stance for Better Vision

Alonso also changed to a more open stance, allowing him to see the ball earlier and recognize pitch types sooner. According to Statcast, his average reaction time to pitches has improved from 0.28 seconds in 2024 to 0.25 seconds in 2025 — a significant improvement that has enhanced his timing and decision-making at the plate.

Enhanced Plate Patience

Walk Rate Spike

One of the clearest signs of Alonso’s improved plate discipline is his walk rate, which has jumped from 10.1% in 2024 to 13.8% in 2025. He’s now much more selective, frequently laying off pitches outside the strike zone and forcing pitchers to throw more strikes — a dangerous proposition when facing Alonso.

Swinging Less at Bad Pitches

According to Baseball Savant, Alonso’s O-Swing% — the rate at which he swings at pitches outside the strike zone — has dropped from 32.5% in 2024 to 27.3% in 2025. This shows he’s improved his pitch selection, focusing more on hittable pitches that he can drive with hard contact.

Improved Strikeout Rate and Contact Quality

Strikeout Rate Drops Significantly

Alonso’s strikeout rate has declined from 24.8% in 2024 to 20% in 2025, marking a major step forward in his approach. Much of the improvement comes from handling breaking pitches better. In 2024, Alonso had a 38% whiff rate against breaking balls. In 2025, that number has dropped to 29%, showing better recognition and reaction.

Higher Contact Rates in the Strike Zone

Alonso’s overall contact rate has increased from 75.2% in 2024 to 80.1% in 2025. Notably, his Z-Contact% — contact rate on pitches within the strike zone — improved from 82% to 87%, meaning he’s not just swinging smarter, he’s connecting more often with quality pitches.

Revised Plate Approach

Opposite-Field Hitting Strategy

To counter modern defensive shifts, Alonso has worked to hit more balls to the opposite field rather than relying solely on his pull power. According to MLB.com, his opposite-field hit percentage has risen from 22% in 2024 to 28% in 2025, adding a new dimension to his offensive threat.

Attacking Early in the Count

Alonso has also adopted a more aggressive approach early in counts, especially on 0-0 and 1-0 pitches. This shift in strategy helps him avoid falling behind in counts — situations where he struggled in 2024. Now, he’s attacking more favorable pitches early, leading to better results and fewer two-strike situations.

Explosive Offensive Output in Early 2025

Career-High Batting Stats

All of Alonso’s adjustments are paying off. As of May 17, 2025, he’s batting .311 with a .421 OBP and .584 slugging percentage — all career-best numbers. He’s also hit 14 home runs and tallied 38 RBIs in just 42 games, showing he’s back to elite form at the plate.

Improved Quality of Contact

It’s not just about making more contact — the quality of contact is also up. Alonso’s average exit velocity has increased from 90.2 mph in 2024 to 92.5 mph in 2025, and his hard-hit rate has gone from 42% to 48%, according to Statcast. These metrics highlight just how dangerous his bat has become again.

Mental Toughness and Renewed Confidence

Working With a Sports Psychologist

Understanding the importance of mental clarity, Alonso spent the offseason working with a sports psychologist to improve his focus and emotional control at the plate. This has helped him stay composed in high-pressure situations, especially when hitting with runners in scoring position — an area he struggled with last season.

Praise From Coach Eric Chavez

Coach Eric Chavez has been impressed by Alonso’s transformation, stating:

“Pete is more patient, more intelligent, and more dangerous than ever. This is the best version of him I’ve ever seen.”

Conclusion: Pete Alonso’s Powerful Resurgence

Coming off a disappointing 2024 season, Pete Alonso has reinvented himself. From mechanical tweaks and better pitch selection to smarter at-bats and improved mental focus, Alonso is proving he’s not just a power hitter but one of the most complete offensive players in MLB right now.

If he keeps this up, Alonso could very well be in the MVP conversation by season’s end — and more importantly, he’s providing the Mets with a stable offensive anchor as they chase a postseason berth.