MESA, Ariz. — Dustin Kelly didn’t need to spend a ton of time with Sammy Sosa to have an idea of who he is.

“You can tell right away he just has a passion for hitting,” the Cubs hitting coach said. “Obviously, the baseball stuff is what he’s done in the past, but he genuinely loves hitting and likes to be around the players. You’ve noticed that right away.

“Guys light up when you talk to him, because, I mean, he’s an icon when it comes to hitting in general, and, obviously, he’s been fun to have around.”

[MORE: Cubs legend Sammy Sosa is already lending help behind the scenes]

Sosa arrived at Cubs camp on Tuesday just before they played the Diamondbacks at Sloan Park. He offered tips to hitters in the dugout and immediately had an impact on Vidal Bruján, too, as the infielder clubbed a solo home run to left field.

“The first couple of at-bats, I was talking to him, and he was jumping a little bit,” Sosa said on Wednesday. “I’m like, ‘Look, you can hit.’ That’s what you have to tell the player. If you feel confident, you have a plan, you gotta stick to your plan. But when you start jumping, going all over the place, you’re gonna miss on your plan.”

That’s the benefit that an alumni instructor like Sosa can provide to players. It’s a different voice than the coaching staff. And in Sosa’s case, it’s one of the game’s greatest sluggers, who’s voice carries plenty of weight.

[WATCH: An exclusive, one-on-one interview with Sammy Sosa]

“We just ask our players to just have conversations,” manager Craig Counsell said. “I think you gain from the experience. Sammy spent a lot of time in the box and people designing ways to try to get him out. Just that knowledge and experience from the batter’s box is a lot to offer.”

Sosa is more than happy to pass along tips to the current crop of Cubs players, too. Wednesday morning, during workouts, the former slugger was decked out in Cubs gear — a spring training hat, a team hoodie and grey, team-issued pants. He spent time chatting with hitting coaches Kelly and Juan Cabreja and talking with Kevin Alcántara, Brujan and others.

“I feel like I’m playing again,” Sosa said. “But it’s good. All the players are happy for me to be here. I have to contribute here. I believe that the opportunity is here. I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying it right now.”

[MORE: How Sammy Sosa provided an instant impact at Cubs camp]

And his presence creates a vital bridge from the past to present.

“Part of the great thing about baseball, and specifically Cubs baseball is the history,” Counsell said. “And to understand the history is important. I think it’s we learn from it, we appreciate it.

“And the Cubs have a wonderful history that when you see these former players in camp, you appreciate it more.”