BOSTON (AP) — Toronto’s Jose Bautista just had to look across the diamond to find someone to thank for the way his career has blossomed.

Bautista, the majors’ reigning home run king and the top vote-getter for next week’s All-Star game, appreciates that fellow Dominican David Ortiz picked him for the Home Run Derby — and has offered guidance over the years.

“Knowing I had a chance to be selected, I’m honored to be selected by a fellow countryman,” Bautista said Monday before the Blue Jays faced Ortiz’s Red Sox at Fenway Park. “He’s talked to me a lot about the game when I was coming up. He’s done a lot for me.”

The 30-year-old Bautista, who led the majors with 54 homers last year, hit his major-league leading 27th Sunday in a win over Philadelphia.

The Blue Jays’ slugger said Ortiz’s personality and willingness to talk to young players has helped many others. He’s excited that New York’s Robinson Cano will be joining them on the four-man AL team.

“He’s done a lot for Dominican players that are coming into the game,” he said. “With Robinson Cano, we’re going to have three Dominicans on the team, which is an honor.”

And what does the home run leader think will happen at Arizona’s Chase Field next week?

“Knowing the stadium we’re going to be hitting in, I expect a lot of home runs,” he said, flashing a slight smile.