Alex Rodriguez loses batting contest to 22-month-old infant during appearance on The Tonight Show

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Alex Rodriguez took on a toddler in a batting contest during his appearance on Tuesday on The Tonight Show and lost.

The 42-year-old former New York Yankees star competed against 22-month-old Asher Willig, who became an overnight Internet sensation when a video of him hitting balls in a batting cage went viral.

While adorable Asher was carried on stage by his father Cory, host Jimmy Fallon told A-Rod he would be required to hit left handed with a child's bat to ensure the contest was fair.

Batting contest: Alex Rodriguez competed in a batting challenge against a 22-month-old boy during an appearance on Tuesday on The Tonight Show

The retired sportsman scored eight hits after being hindered by a few short pitches from his partner Fallon, 43.

Asher, whose father was pitching for him, beat A-Rod after reaching nine hits much to the live studio audience's delight.

Asher celebrated his win by giving A-Rod a high five after the former baseball star picked him up.

A-Rod was asked by Fallon about his newly announced TV job on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, while also staying on as a post-season analyst for Fox.

Toddler time: A-Rod held 22-month-old Asher Willig as his father Cory and host Jimmy Fallon looked on

He told Fallon: 'I'm really excited to be working with two major companies, Disney and Fox.

'We have Matt [Vasgersian] and we have Jessica Mendoza. Jessica's the first female that's been in the booth doing colour on a national platform.

'They're both wildly talented and because of ESPN and because of Jessica, maybe my daughters one day get to be in the booth with Dad.'

Viral sensation: Asher beat out A-Rod with nine hits as the former Yankees star only had eight

A-Rod also spoke about his guest role on Shark Tank this season and described the impact he believes the show has had on America.

He explained: 'If you think about over the last nine seasons, over $100 million deployed, over 10,000 jobs to the US economy.

'In many ways on Sunday nights, America gets their MBA – maybe not from Harvard business school, but from Shark Tank. It's just been a blast.'

Guest shark: Alex also talked about his guest role this season on Shark Tank

He added: 'It gets friendly, but then once the game is just like a game we get competitive. The girls, they're nasty. They get tough. I always like to partner with the ladies. Barbara and Lori are amazing. They're smart.'

Asked how he chooses which products to back, he said: 'I don't focus on the product. A lot of the time I bet on the jockey, not on the horse. I am reading body language, background and track record of the entrepreneur.'

Rodriguez will return as a guest on Shark Tank on Sunday on ABC. 

Warm welcome: The former New York Yankees star received a warm welcome from the studio audience in New York City