Pete Alonso is averaging a career-high 94.6 mph on his exit velocity, which puts him in the top four percent in the league. He can pull that stat and the 15 walks, second most on the team, and be convinced that the results are going to improve.

He’s also got that five-time All-Star track record and last year’s Silver Slugger Award.

But how much longer will it take for the Polar Bear to get hot?

Alonso enters tonight’s game batting .196/.301/.336 with three homers and 32 strikeouts in 123 plate appearances. He’s gone 12-for-56 (.214), including 1-for-13 in the Red Sox series, since the media gathered at his locker on April 10 to get his thoughts on the slow start.

Crowded again earlier today, Alonso said he’s comfortable at the plate. That isn’t the issue.

“Feeling like I’ve been hitting the ball hard consistently,” he said. “Been walking, which, if you hit the ball hard and you walk, those are typically good things. But if the balls don’t find a seat or find grass, then obviously the results aren’t there.

“So for me, I think my swing feels good. Just need to get a ball or two to find some grass or maybe a seat.”

Albernaz doesn’t think Alonso is putting too much pressure on himself since arriving in Baltimore with a five-year, $155 million contract and expectations through the roof.

“Pete is, I mean this in the best way possible, he’s such a pleaser,” Albernaz said. “He’s such a great dude and he wants to impact everyone around him, right? I feel like he’s, I wouldn’t say trying to do too much, but he just wants to be that guy because he is that guy. And he’s close, he’s close.”

There are other ways to contribute, though the bat is supposed to be the main weapon. Alonso’s three defensive runs saved (DRS) are tied for second most among major league first basemen.

“His defense right now has been better than advertised,” Albernaz said. “It’s been elite for us at first base. So it’s just on the offensive side of the ball and he’s close. You can see it in the box, you can see it in his work. So I think once he kind of gets in that groove, it’s gonna be dangerous.”

Having Alonso thumping in the middle of the order would lift a team that’s two games below .500 again. Wheels are spinning.

“I think someone with Pete’s track record, I think he’s shown that he’ll ripple through the lineup,” Albernaz said. “When someone like Pete puts up gaudy numbers, it takes the pressure off the rest of the lineup. But with that being said, our lineup has been really competitive and grinding out at-bats. The at-bat quality has been awesome. We’re hitting the ball hard. That’s the stuff that we can control. But with Pete, I think when he gets going that you’ll probably see the rest of the lineup take off.”

Albernaz talked earlier today about the Orioles’ inconsistencies and how they show “flashes” of their potential and then spin 180 degrees.

“To me, that’s the definition of being inconsistent,” he said.

It’s rarely just one reason why momentum is fleeting. Alonso said it’s been a combination.

“Errors have happened. I think there’s been times when we’ve hit better, there’s been times where we haven’t pitched as well as we’d like to,” he said.

“We haven’t fully hit our stride yet, but I think a good thing that we have done, we’ve been in every single ballgame. So we’ve had some comeback wins, which is characteristics that good ballclubs have. Having the ability to come back, come from behind. I think from the group largely, there’s been a lot of great individual performances, but I think from a lineup perspective, not everyone’s got going. I think once everyone kind of gets going, we start getting on the same page clicking, we’re gonna put some runs up, which is gonna alleviate some of the stress for the pitching staff. When you hit better, you pitch better. When you pitch better, you hit better.

“It’s just one of those things where it’s still early. If we end up a game above .500 or right at .500 at the end of the month, obviously not a perfect game, but honestly could be a lot worse. There’s been some great moments we’ve had, and to kind of set ourselves up. It’s a long season. We’ve done a good job of minimizing the tough times, so we’re looking for a nice little bounce back. Not just today but the whole series.”

An optimist will preach how the struggles could actually prove beneficial later in the summer and in the fall as the playoffs approach. Alonso sees the good in handling adversity and responding to it.

“It’s still early,” he said, “but I think sky high is our expectations and the potential for this team.”