(Toronto) If he feared competition with second baseman Adam Frazier and third baseman Eugenio Suarez, both acquired by the Seattle Mariners this winter, Abraham Toro instead found mentors in them.
Posted at 7:57 p.m.
After all, Toro was relieved to have left the heavy traffic created by Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman’s presence in Houston when the Astros traded him to the Mariners last summer. Now he finds himself in the same position again.
The 25-year-old baseball player said Monday how much he appreciates the presence of the two veterans and star players, who in a way stand in his way to a regular position. Either of them could have only cared about their playing time. But both Frazier and Suarez decided to take the Quebecer under their wing instead.
” Its important to me. I was once the young player fighting for his playing time, caught behind veterans. I was trying to learn as much as I could from these guys and that’s what I try to do with Abraham: give him advice here and there, direct him to certain things that can help him, explained Frazier, met in the Mariners locker room before Tuesday’s meeting. He is already a very good player, but I try, when I see something less good here and there, to give him the benefit of my experience. I hope a better player comes out of it. »
“My job here is to help young players like Abraham and Julio (Rodriguez, the Mariners’ young sensation in center field), added Suarez. They need the experience of veterans. They need help to navigate through it all. I remember in my first years in the Majors, there were veterans who did it for me as well. It’s my turn. »
It was through his attitude that Toro entered their good graces.
“He’s a professional. He handles his stuff really well and works hard, Frazier noted. Every day he gives appearances at bat worthy of the Majors. He has four homers already this season: he was unlucky not to put more balls in play. He is a professional hitter who deserves to play every day. He’s also a very nice guy to be around, which doesn’t hurt. »
“The first time I saw him, I saw that he was able to manage with a stick! He’s a guy who works very hard to see his name in the lineup every day, added Suarez. From the way he fights for his game time, you can’t dislike this player. »
Frazier also knows full well what Toro has to go through: in his first three major league seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he was used at second, third and shortstop, as well as every position at outfield.
“It’s difficult: you try to prepare for a different position every day. You never know where you’ll end up in the attacking role. Playing in the Majors is hard enough, imagine when you have to deal with that aspect! He already has a head start on many by the fact that he can play several positions and that he is an ambidextrous hitter. »
“I always tell him to keep doing what he’s doing, that he can’t control everything,” Suarez added. It is not he who writes the offensive role: he must therefore seize all the opportunities to play that are offered to him. I often tell him: “Do your best and play hard every time. But above all, have fun”. »