The Mets will not be calling up first base prospect Peter Alonso this season, John Ricco said on Tuesday.
"To have Pete come up and really just sit didn't make a lot of sense," Ricco said. "Right now the decision is that he will not be coming up. And he has been told that."
Ricco noted that the main factor regarding Alonso was the playing time issue.
The Mets had been giving Jose Bautista some playing time at first base, but just traded him to the Phillies. Still, Wilmer Flores will continue to get time there with Jay Bruce also expected to get plenty of starts there instead of the outfield.
Shortly after Ricco's comments, Alonso's agents said the news was "disheartening."
"It is disheartening for Peter after producing an historically great season and exceeding every request from the Mets player development staff," Adam Karon and Tripper Johnson of SCK Sports said, according to James Wagner. "I'm sure it is equally disheartening for Mets fans who would enjoy watching and getting to know one of the more talented and entertaining players they've developed in years."
Alonso has been one of the most productive hitters in all of the minors this season, slashing .277/.393/.560 with 33 homers, 26 doubles, and 111 RBI in 125 games between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas.
Ricco had been hinting over the last month that Alonso would likely not be promoted this season, citing reasons including his defense and the potential playing time issue.
The slugging prospect "liked" a tweet earlier this month suggesting that keeping him down in Triple-A due to his potential defensive issues wasn't a good reason.
When asked whether not seeing what Alonso could do in the majors this season would have a negative impact on his chances to make the Mets in 2019, Ricco said the 23-year-old would "have a full Spring Training to get in front of the major league staff."