Pete Alonso
AP Photo/John Minchillo

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has set the National League rookie record for single-season home runs.

Pete Alonso has added another accomplishment to his legendary rookie season in the major leagues.

On Sunday, the New York Mets first baseman launched an 0-2 pitch to the left corner for a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals. It’s Alonso’s 40th home run of 2019, which sets a new National League rookie record.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger previously set the NL rookie record when he hit 39 home runs in 2017. The all-time rookie record is 52 home runs set by New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge in 2017.

With now 38 games left to play, Alonso could possibly surpass Judge’s record. 13 home runs in that amount of time would be tough to accomplish, but then again, it’s Pete. This is a guy who not only has achieved this statistic in his debut season in the majors but also emerged victorious in the Home Run Derby as well.

The Mets defeated the Royals 11-5 on Sunday and are now 64-60 on the year. They’re still in fourth place in the NL East division and are behind in the NL Wild Card race as well, so their winning ways will need to pick up.

New York finished up their road trip on Sunday and will return to Citi Field this week for a nine-game homestand. They’ll undergo three separate three-game series before going on the road again, taking on the Cleveland Indians, the NL East leading-Atlanta Braves, along with the Chicago Cubs.

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Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.