Chicago Cubs: Comparing Kris Bryant and Pete Alonso’s rookie seasons

Every so often, a player will emerge and simply wow fans. This year that player was Mets first baseman Pete Alonso who was voted as the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year earlier this week. Alonso exploded out of the gate, memorizing the Mets faithful with booming home runs and an extra level of excitement every time he stepped to the plate.

He set the rookie record for most home runs in a single season, blasting 53 round-trippers. He worked to a 148 OPS+ and was undoubtedly the catalyst in the middle of the New York order on a daily basis. Alonso brought a level of excitement not seen at Citi Field in a few years – enough to have Mets fans dreaming of the future.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs have their own superstar in Kris Bryant, who impressed in his own way four years ago in his journey to earning the same honor. Bryant is by and large in the eyes of many fans, the catalyst driving the Cubs. The 2015 season was his coming-out party, and now it is time to compare the two seasons and what to expect moving forward for each competitor.