New York Mets prospect Peter Alonso can look forward to some old-school mentoring from third baseman Todd Frazier in 2019.
The Toddfather has a new adopted son on the New York Mets, and his name is Peter Alonso.
The rookie first baseman can expect to see a lot of Todd Frazier, as the veteran has a premeditated plan for guiding the youngster through what should be his first MLB season.
That plan starts in the spring training clubhouse, where Frazier has requested a locker next to Alonso’s, according to the New York Post’s Kevin Kernan. The third baseman plans to stick to Alonso like white on rice in a snowstorm.
“I’m going to be on him because if he is supposed to be our starting first baseman, I am going to make sure that he knows what he is doing and he is going to be on the right track,” Frazier told Kernan. “…I want him to understand the rights and wrongs of the game and how to act and how to be that guy.”
The Toddfather also told Kernan that he’s not afraid to get stern with his mentee. The 32-year-old said that if necessary, he will “get on [Alonso’s] case a little bit every once in a while.’’
Whether Alonso will take advice from a guy who hasn’t hit above .225 in the last three years remains to be seen.
Alonso put on a show in the minors in 2018. The 24-year-old from Florida mashed a combined 36 home runs at double-A and triple-A. He added another six shots in the Arizona Fall League.
2018 Peter Alonso home run facts
Homered in first AB
Homered in last AB
Set Statcast record with HR in Futures Game launch angle of 46 degrees & exit velo of 113.6 MPH
Fall Stars homer off 103 MPH fastball (MLB record is 102.8)
AB per HR: 13.18 (would've ranked 5th in MLB) pic.twitter.com/kZTfYtLslb— Michael Mayer (@mikemayerMMO) November 23, 2018
He was justifiably disappointed after the Mets kept him on the farm during September call-ups. Chances are he’ll enter spring with a pretty big chip on his shoulder.
The Toddfather will be waiting at his locker, just looking for an opportunity to knock that chip off.
