An athlete's nickname says everything about the kind of player he or she is. Monikers like Nelson Cruz's "Boomstick," Noah Syndergaard's "Thor" and Josh Donaldson's "Bringer of Rain" tell us exactly what to expect from these larger-than-life stars. The same goes for young shortstop Francisco Lindor, or "Mr. Smile" as he's known around baseball. At any given moment, the Indians superstar could flash his signature grin on the diamond, lighting up the ballpark in more ways than one.
In just his third MLB season, Lindor secured a top-five MVP finish by posting career highs in walks, home runs, RBI and OPS, while leading Cleveland to the best regular-season record in the American League.
Lindor isn't just a threat at the plate, though, as evidenced by his 2016 Gold Glove Award. With an elite skill set on both sides of the ball and a sparkling smile, it's no wonder Lindor ranks as one of the brightest stars in the game at just 24 years old. Here, he shares some tips on being a steady presence in the infield.
Mighty Momentum
You always have to have momentum whether you're throwing to second base, to first or as part of a relay -- whatever you're doing on the field, you have to have momentum.

Blocking the Ball
I try to work off my left leg so I have something just in case it takes a bad hop. The ball will still hit me in my chest.
Flipping Out
Giving good feeds to your double play partner is very important. In order to flip the ball to second base, you have to have a stiff wrist. You don't want to flip it [with your wrist] because it'll go into right field. You're going to get your momentum, catch it and flip it.
Consistency Is Key
You have to stay low. It should be the same flip every single time. You have to be consistent.