Anthony Alford

Position: CF
Level: High A
Affiliate: Dunedin Blue Jays
League: International League
Age: 21
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 215
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: 3rd Rd., 2012 MLB First Year Player Draft (TOR)

Prospect Spotlight

The Potential Tools: 70 run, 60 glove, 55 hit, 50 arm

Strengths: Plus-plus athleticism; athletic, projectable build; plus reads and reactions in center field; plus range to both gaps; glove will play plus; quick twitch athlete; explosive first speed and plus-plus run; speed will be a weapon; above-average arm strength; quick release and throws have carry; plus bat speed; simple set-up and feel for the strike zone; linear swing path and line-drive oriented approach; feel for hitting is advanced for limited baseball exposure; makes consistent hard contact.

Weaknesses: Swing and miss in his swing within the zone; can become aggressive at times; limited exposure vs. quality breaking stuff; elongated load can affect timing; still-raw baseball skills — college football player; power will play well below average; arm accuracy can vary and make arm play down; limited pro experience.

Role Ceiling: 55; above-average major league center fielder.

Risk: High; raw baseball skills and limited baseball/secondary exposure.

Summary: We saw what Alford can do on the bases in his short stint in the big leagues last year. With plus-plus run, he’ll be a stolen base threat at the highest level, while allowing his range play to plus in center field. Alford is still a raw baseball talent, but he has shown an advanced approach at the plate, and shown pitch recognition skills that many thought would take some time to see. Alford has a natural feel for both hitting and for the strike zone, but he has trouble barreling up spin, and he can get beat by velocity on the inner half. Power won’t ever be a huge part of his game, but his defensive value in center field, speed on the bases, and potential solid-average hit tool make Alford a potential above-average major league regular.