Yankees Miguel Andujar has a friend and mentor in Alex Rodriguez

As Alex Rodriguez readies to return to his role as an analyst for Fox during the Postseason, it turns out his duties as a special assistant for the Yankees included mentoring likely AL Rookie of the Year winner, Miguel Andujar.

When Alex Rodriguez retired as a player on August 12, 2016, many speculated that he’d take the remaining $21 million the Yankees owed him for the 2017 season, expand his newfound success as a commentator and maybe, adhere to his duties once in a while as a special assistant for the Bombers.

As it turns out, A-Rod has not only put in a full season of Sunday Night Baseball telecasts for ESPN,  but he has exceeded expectations as a mentor and more importantly, a friend, to a few notable Baby Bombers.

In 2017, when the rift between Gary Sanchez and then manager Joe Girardi became public knowledge, Rodriguez stepped in to offer some sage advice to the uber-talented, yet beleaguered catcher.

Sanchez would go on to have his first All-Star season, slashing .278/.345/.531 with 79 runs scored, 20 doubles, 33 home runs and 90 RBIs in 471 at-bats.

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Then this year, with the spotlight predominately glaring on two rookie infielders, Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres, A-Rod became a mentor to the pair of top prospects, early on in Spring Training.

Rodriguez, tells the NY Post that he still Facetime’s the rookies on a regular basis — while detailing his relationship with Andujar, both of whom share Dominican heritage and the position of third base.

"“I think he has the potential to be a very good big-league third baseman,” A-Rod said. “All great infielders have great footwork. That’s what we focused on. I’m careful with young players not to overwhelm them, but we spoke about footwork and cadence."

At just 23 years of age, Andujar has been spectacular. It’s scary to think where the Yankees might be without the stellar offensive play of their team leader in batting average (.297) and hits (170).

In 573 at-bats, “Papa,” as he is referred to by teammates, put together a rookie season for the ages. An .855 OPS with 83 runs scored, 27 home runs and 92 RBIs will likely net him AL Rookie of the Year honors; however, breaking Joe DiMaggio’s franchise record for doubles in a season by a rookie (44) — which stood since 1936 is something that will go down in baseball lore.

Andujar finished the year with 47 two-baggers, tying Fred Lynn’s all-time American League rookie mark.

Just one day away from his first taste of Postseason play, A-Rod was quick to remind his protege to do what he has all seasonlong; saying his defensive work and approach at the plate “should be the same.”

"“There’s a paradigm shift,” Rodriguez said. “There’s a difference between thinking like a hitter and going to where hitting is a bonus. You can get a big hit here and there, but you cannot win at the major league level by giving teams 28, 29, 30 outs.”"

The real world experience Rodriguez is imparting on the Yankees’ young players is clearly working. It’ll be interesting to see who he takes under his wing in 2019, or perhaps re-visits.