Pittsburgh Pirates 2021 Previews: Anthony Alford

Former top prospect Anthony Alford came to the Pirates halfway through the 2020 season and had some big hits before he fractured his elbow. Now, he is out to win the starting centerfield job in 2021 and prove he can be an everyday player and live up to his former top prospect status.

During the 2020 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates were lacking outfield depth and in serious need for reinforcements. Top prospects Jared Oliva and Travis Swaggerty were both at the Pirates alternate training site, but neither had played above Double-A ball, and the Pirates did not want to rush their development. In an effort to grab some outfield depth, the Pirates ended up claiming Anthony Alford off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Alford was a former top prospect in the Blue Jays system but never got the full-time shot at the Major League level. He was drafted in the third round of the 2012 MLB draft, just after Pirates General Manager, Ben Cherington left the Blue Jays.

Unfortunately, it was only a short run in Pittsburgh for Alford, as he ended up fracturing his elbow shortly after he was acquired. He only appeared in five games but made his presence felt hitting .250 with a home run and four RBI in those five games played. He struck out just once in his 12 at-bats and drew one walk as he consistently was able to put the ball in play. In centerfield, he appeared in four games and made three starts, while making his other appearance in left-field. He did not commit an error and seemed to be able to cover a lot of ground in the spacious PNC Park outfield. Now that he is recovered from surgery, he is trying to prove that he can produce over a full season in a Pirates uniform.

From Toronto to Pittsburgh

For Anthony Alford, the 2020 season began in Buffalo where the Toronto Blue Jays were playing their home games. For the first time in his career, Alford cracked an Opening Day roster and was finally getting his shot. He came in as a defensive replacement on Opening Day and would have his first at-bat two days later. He went 0-2 in his first game with a strikeout and was used more on the defensive side of the ball than he was on the offensive side of the ball. It wasn't until August that he would see his next at-bat and played two games going 1-5. Alford would not get an at-bat from August 5th to August 16th and finished his time with the Blue Jays going 2-9 with four strikeouts over his final three games.

The Blue Jays ran out of patience and ended up designating him for assignment on August 20th, 2020. It was a hard time for Alford because he had gotten a short opportunity in Toronto, but no chance to really show what he could bring to the table. However, seven days later, the Pittsburgh Pirates saw his name on the table and took a chance on the 26-year-old outfielder. He made his Pirates debut on September 1st, 2020 but was a little overshadowed by a young rookie named Ke'Bryan Hayes who was also making his debut. Alford went just 0-1 in his debut, but wouldn't take much longer to make an impact.

His breakout game would come the next day when he went 2-4 with a home run and an RBI, in what would be an 8-2 loss for the Pirates. He would later play a big role in the team's game against the Cincinnati Reds on September 4th when he went 1-3 with a two-RBI triple that tied the game and set the Pirates up for the win. He looked like he was headed on the right track until he met the center-field wall at PNC Park. Alford tracked a ball down to the track, but when he leaped to make the catch, he smashed his elbow against the wall. He would end up fracturing his arm and requiring surgery, officially ending his season. Now that Alford is back, he is looking to put the past behind him, and start new with the Pirates in 2021.

Recovery and Production

The biggest thing for Alford before he can start producing for the Pirates is that he makes sure he is fully recovered. Reports out of Spring Training indicate that Alford is having trouble throwing and is being looked at by Pirates medical staff. If Alford's elbow is not fully recovered, that hampers his chances of making the Opening Day Roster and it could end up leading to him losing his job. He now has new competition to go against, with the Pirates trading for Dustin Fowler yesterday, and will have to be on top of his game if he wants a spot on the Big League team. He has never played in more than 16 games in a season and is trying to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season.

The biggest detriment to Anthony Alford earning a starting spot is his sheer inexperience at the Big League level. Alford has played a total of 51 games at the Big League level, the fewest of the three candidates for the Pirates starting centerfield job. During that time, he has only had a batting average above the .200 mark once, and that was last season when he hit .214 between the Blue Jays and Pirates. Alford has hit the ball on the ground a lot over his pro career, with a groundball rate of 51.9%. In order for him to be successful, he has to make sure that those groundballs find holes and can help him get on base on a consistent basis.

For Alford, his recovery from elbow surgery is really going to dictate his path to the Pirates' Opening Day roster. If he is fully healthy, then it will be a strong competition between the three previously mentioned outfielders for that starting spot. As of now, there are reports from Bradenton that Alford is having trouble with his throws, which could indicate that that arm is not fully healed. Alford is currently out of options and can't be sent down to the Minor Leagues without the Pirates risking the loss of the outfielder. Alford surprised some people in his Pirates debut last year and is looking to show that he can perform consistently at the Big League level.