Alonso, who went 2-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI, a walk and three runs in Thursday's 15-5 Cactus League win over the Brewers, is showing significant improvement at the plate this spring, Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area reports. "He's had a great approach from the minute he got here," manager Bob Melvin said. "He and Bushy (hitting coach Darren Bush) had a plan. He's using the whole field a little bit more, which keeps him on breaking balls, which allows him to track fastballs a little bit more. He's hit a couple balls good to left-center as well."

EDGE Analysis

Alonso has never hit double-digit homers in a major league career that dates back to 2010, but he's already smacked four round-trippers in 17 spring games, in part due to the revamped approach he's utilized at the plate. The veteran first baseman already brings excellent defensive skills to the table, so any notable measure of offensive improvement would boost his value even further. He remains slated for the left-handed side of a platoon role at first base with Ryon Healy and will look to improve on last season's mediocre .316 OBP in the coming season.