If MLB needs an All-Star replacement, Orioles’ Pete Alonso has a worthy case

CINCINNATI — As Craig Albernaz commended catcher Adley Rutschman for earning a place on the American League All-Star team, the Orioles manager added an aside: He thinks there are a few more Baltimore players deserving of an invitation to the Midsummer Classic.

With Saturday’s 8-5 win against the Cincinnati Reds, the Orioles are six games below .500 (42-48). They don’t have a roster full of highly performing players — if they did, they would be in a better position than they are. But, if there’s one player who has a worthy case as a replacement player, it’s first baseman Pete Alonso.

He may well find his way into the game. Shortly after rosters were announced Saturday night, Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. told the media he will not participate in the All-Star Game so he can use the break to recuperate from lower-back issues.

That opens a spot. More may open in the coming week if there are more injuries. And while Alonso is not alone in being a worthy replacement — Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras is another strong option — the trickle-down over the next week may lead to another appearance.

Alonso, who joined the Orioles on a five-year, $155 million contract, made the All-Star Game four straight years with the New York Mets. If he’s not selected, it will be the first All-Star Game without him since 2021.

Alonso was not actively campaigning for that open spot Saturday night, but his performance made a strong case anyway. He reached base five times, including an RBI single that was part of a five-run fourth inning. Alonso walked twice, recorded another single and drove a double to round out his offensive performance.

And in the field, where Alonso has made his greatest strides from early in his career, he picked a short-hopped throw from third baseman Blaze Alexander. After falling to the dirt, Alonso pumped his fist and yelled. The play at first ended the fourth and helped right-hander Brandon Young through another inning after he struggled early.

Young allowed four runs in the first two innings, matching his season high in what has been a standout year. But he completed five innings, holding the Reds to four runs, and the Orioles’ offense blitzed right-hander Hunter Greene in the Reds starter’s first game back from the injured list.

Samuel Basallo began it with a three-run home run in the first inning. Greene fired a 100 mph fastball on the inner half of the plate, and Basallo didn’t miss it. He belted his second long ball of the series to put the Orioles on the board immediately.

Then the Orioles retook the lead in the fourth when Alexander drove a two-run single and Rutschman followed with a two-run double. That was Rutschman’s second double of the game, giving him 18 this season — two more than he managed in 2025.

Alonso strode to the plate against left-hander Sam Moll, then, and he plated Rutschman with a single. In the ninth, Alonso capped an all-around strong day in what has been a strong season by ripping a double.

It took Alonso time to get going. At the end of April, he had a .668 OPS. But, over the last two months, he has been his usual force at the plate.

He leads the Orioles with an .819 OPS. And if Major League Baseball needs a replacement for the All-Star Game, it could watch back this game and see a worthy candidate.