Make or Break: Anthony Alford

Anthony Alford ⁠— a former third round pick of the Blue Jays— is a 25 year old outfield prospect in the Blue Jays system. Despite making his debut in 2017, Alford has yet to secure an everyday roster spot with the team, and the 2020 season could make or break his future with the Jays, and possibly his major league career.

For years, Alford was known as an elite prospect in the Blue Jays organization, reaching as high as the number one ranking within the franchise. Unfortunately for him, he hasn’t been able to capitalize on his potential to become the everyday outfielder he was supposed to be. For years scouts raved about Alford’s athleticism as a dual sport athlete. He was a projected first round pick in 2012 draft class, but due to his love and skill of football, he slipped to Toronto in the third round, and signed because they allowed him to continue both sports. It wasn’t until over two years later in 2014 that Alford would give up football, and focus on baseball full time.

Although Alford had a small sample size in his 2017 MLB debut, it wasn’t pretty. Other than his first career hit, he wasn’t able to muster anything else together, hitting .125 over an 8 at bat span in 4 games. Over the next two years, he would again hardly get any major league experience, totaling 55 at bats over three seasons, while hitting a poor .145 career average with only 1 home run. Going into the 2020 season, his rookie status remains intact, and he dropped all the way to 21 in the organizational prospect rankings.

After an incredible 2017 season in the minor leagues that had him looking like the real deal, he has not only struggled in the majors, but the minors too. In AAA he hit .240 in 2018, and .259 in 2019 with only 12 home runs in 657 at bats in both seasons combined. He has been disappointing for the organization thus far, but being only 25, he still has time to turn his career around… or does he?

After 3 years of being sent down to the minors, the Blue Jays have used all of Alford’s minor league options, meaning that if they were to send him down again in 2020, he would have to pass through waivers, where he is very likely to be claimed. With a crowded outfield featuring Gurriel, Hernandez, Grichuk, McKinney, Fisher, and Davis, Alford with need to have a serious standout year to remain on the roster, rather than exposed to all 29 other teams on waivers, where his time with the Jays will likely come to the end. Knowing this, the team gave him lots of playing time in spring training before the shut down, and every play was important. However, after hitting for a .167 average without a home run, and a couple of very poor defensive plays and misreads, he will seriously need a great spring training once the season gets going to remain with the team.

As much potential as Alford might have, he simply hasn’t been able to get it done at the major league level, and has plateaued more than anything in the minor leagues. With a concerning slow start to spring training, it will take a big turn around to see him in Toronto during the regular season. An expanded roster due to COVID-19 could be a huge help in retaining Alford, but until the season is agreed upon, no rules are for certain.