(Toronto) If he feared competition from second baseman Adam Frazier and third baseman Eugenio Suarez, both acquired by the Seattle Mariners this winter, Abraham Toro found mentors in them.
After all, Toro was relieved to have left the heavy traffic created by the presence of Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman 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 on Monday how much he appreciates the presence of the two veterans and stars, who somehow get in the way of his path to a regular position. Any of them could have only cared about playing time, but both Frazier and Suarez decided to take the Quebecois under their wing.
“It’s important to me. I was once the young player fighting for his playing time, stuck 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 advice here and there, direct him to certain things that can help him, explained Frazier, found 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 emerges. »
“My job here is to help young players like Abraham and Julio (Rodriguez, the young Mariners sensation in center field), Suárez added. They need the veterans’ experience. They need help navigating through it all. I remember in my early years at the Majors, there were veterans who did that for me as well. It’s my turn. »
It was through his attitude that Toro came into his good graces.
“He is a professional. He handles his stuff very well and works hard, noted Frazier. Every day he makes appearances at bat worthy of the Majors. He already has four homers 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 really nice guy to be around, which doesn’t hurt. »
“The first time I saw him, I saw that he could turn around with a stick! He’s a guy who works hard to see his name on the roster every day, added Suarez. The way he fights for his game time, you can’t not like this player. »
Frazier also knows all too well what Toro has to go through: In his first three major league seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he has been used second, third and shortstop, as well as all outfield positions.
“It’s difficult: you try to prepare for a different position every day. You never know where you will end up in the role of attacker. Playing in the Majors is hard enough, imagine when you have to deal with that aspect! He already has an advantage in many because he can play multiple positions and is an ambidextrous hitter. »
“I always tell him to keep doing what he’s doing, that he can’t control everything,” added Suárez. It is not he who writes the offensive role: he must, therefore, take advantage of every playing opportunity that is offered to him. I often tell him, “Do your best and play hard every time. But above all, have fun.” »
