Ex-high school teammates Kyle Tucker and Pete Alonso on different paths to MLB paydays

In quite a coincidence, the top two free agent position players might be former high school teammates — Cubs RF Kyle Tucker and Mets 1B Pete Alonso, two early NL MVP candidates. 

And in something of a repeat from their Tampa Plant High School days, when Tucker was the prodigy drawing comparisons to an all-time great and Alonso the productive power hitter who unfairly drew mostly doubts, Tucker is seen as the clear No. 1 guy while Alonso keeps busting it to enhance his improving-but-still-less-certain lot. 

While Tucker’s comp was established with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million extension, Alonso has competition for the No. 2 spot with Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber, Japanese 3B Munetaka Murakami, Blue Jays SS Bo Bichette and Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman. 

Tucker is a clear free agent and Alonso has an opt-out (as does Bregman), but there’s actually slightly less chance Tucker will hit the market since Alonso’s out and coming freedom is a fait accompli while the Cubs will likely try to extend Tucker early. The chances a superstar like Tucker signs an extension months from freedom aren’t great, but he did tell The Post he’s enjoying the Cubs.