When the Baltimore Orioles signed Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract last December, the organization knew it was getting one of baseball’s premier power hitters.
After his first season in Birdland, they can now add Most Valuable Oriole to his résumé.
Alonso has been unanimously selected by the local media as the winner of the 2026 Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole Award after putting together a monster first season in Baltimore.
The Polar Bear has appeared in all 157 games played thus far, batting .265 with 156 hits, 24 doubles, 40 home runs, 108 RBIs, 94 runs scored and 78 walks. He has posted a .359 on-base percentage, .510 slugging percentage and .869 OPS, while playing Gold-Glove-Caliber defense at first base.
His 40 home runs marks the fourth time in his career he has reached that milestone, while his 108 RBIs currently lead the American League. The five-time All-Star is the fourth player to hit 40 homers in his first career season with the Orioles, joining Frank Robinson (49), Mark Trumbo (47) and Nelson Cruz (40), and he is the ninth player in franchise history with 40.
Alonso also reached one of the biggest milestones of his career this season when he launched his 300th career home run, adding another unforgettable moment to his first year wearing orange and black.
But his value went beyond the numbers. Alonso provided the Orioles with a consistent middle-of-the-order presence, veteran leadership and the power their lineup desperately needed.
Alonso was also chosen as the Orioles’ nominee for the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award and was given his Heart and Hustle award before Sunday’s game.
Former Oriole center fielder Cedric Mullins was the last unanimous selection in 2021.
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