Other than Jeff McNeil and Jacob deGrom, there aren't many All-Stars in Cleveland that know what Pete Alonso can do to a baseball than Braves 1B Freddie Freeman.
The National League's starting first baseman will have the Mets rookie behind him on the bench on Tuesday for the 2019 MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field, and Freeman admits to being a fan of his game.
But, of course, Freeman isn't a fan of Alonso when the Braves have to face their NL East rival.
"What he can do to all fields," Freeman told SNY when asked what his favorite part of Alonso's game was. "That's the thing: To be a rookie in the big leagues and to be able to go foul line to foul line, it's very impressive. I don't like it because I have to face it, and even if you get two strikes on him, you know the grind is not over. He can beat you in so many different ways and we've seen it a little too much already this season."
Alonso has played in 10 games against the Braves this season, and his stats back Freeman's claim that he doesn't want to see him anymore. He's hitting .343 with three homers, four doubles, and nine RBI against Atlanta.
The bat isn't the only thing Freeman likes, though. One of Alonso's supposed flaws coming up this year was his defense at first base, but Freeman -- a Gold Glove winner himself -- likes his glove too.
"I'm impressed in every aspect of his game. I love defense, I love how he gets ready for balls, I love how he goes after them," he said. "But on the offensive side, to do what he's doing as a rookie -- everyone's going to go through their little ups and downs and I don't think he's had a down yet. Hitting .280 with 30 homers at the break is pretty unheard of and I don't think it's gonna stop."
Alonso will get to show off what his bat is truly made of in tonight's Home Run Derby, but Freeman can't be rooting for him. Ronald Acuna Jr., the Braves very own young phenom, has all the backing from Freeman who will be watching on the field.
Still, Freeman is intrigued to see how far Alonso can park on along with his teammate.
"He's a special player. He deserves to be here," Freeman said. "I'm just looking forward to see how far he can hit a baseball in the Home Run Derby tonight."