Photo by Jennifer Nieves, MMN

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com comprised a list of the top 10 prospects “in each league who could get the opportunity to show what they can do at the highest level this year, perhaps even contending for Rookie of the Year honors.”

The second ranked player in the National League was Mets first base prospect Peter Alonso. In ranking him second, Mayo proffered:

After 36 homers and 119 RBIs in 2018, no one doubts Alonso’s bat is ready for the big leagues. A combination of concerns about his defense and wanting to control service time could slow him temporarily, but the Mets are going to have to get his power bat into the lineup soon.

Earlier today on WFAN, Mets General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Alonso was going to get an opportunity to claim the first base job, but he also noted Alonso was going to have to fight for the job. Ultimately, Van Wagenen said he believes Alonso and J.D. Davis could combine to hit 30 homers next season.

If the Mets get that type of production from the first base position, their chances of winning the NL East are improved. However, it should be noted, this is a loaded division with a lot of young and upcoming talent.

For example, Alonso was bracketed on this list by Victor Robles of the Nationals and Touki Toussaint of the Braves. As such, the National League East comprised the top three spots on this list. When you combine that with tenth ranked Enyel De Los Santos of the Phillies, 40 percent of the potential impact National League rookies come from the same division.

Certainly, this speaks to not just how talented the teams in the National League East are. It also speaks to how the future of the division may be shaped by each team’s future stars.