Blue Jays’ Anthony Alford getting extra reps in Mexican League

Toronto Blue Jays outfield prospect Anthony Alford is hopeful a strong showing playing winter ball in Liga Mexicana del Pacifico will open the door for an opportunity to begin next season with the big club right out of the gates.

Anthony Alford has his sights set on the vacant right-field position heading into next season and if the Jays decide to fill the vacancy internally the job would almost certainly come down to either Alford or Teoscar Hernandez.

The speedy athletic and former collegiate football player is just the type of player the Blue Jays are lacking and are so desperately trying to covet from other teams this offseason. Alford is also getting extra reps playing Winter Ball for Charros de Jalisco of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico.

Alford has impressed in his first 4 games with the Charros hitting .471 with 8 hits and 2 stolen bases in 17 at-bats while batting leadoff. The 23-year old had part of last season cut short when he suffered a broken hamate bone in his brief stint with the Blue Jays. Prior to the injury, Alford played 4-games at the major league level hitting .125 with a double in 8 plate appearances.

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On the farm, he hit .299/.390/.406 with 5 homers and 19 stolen bases in 77 games mainly with Double-A New Hampshire last season.

Blue Jays pitcher Francisco Rios is also playing in Mexico with the Tomateros de Culiacan, so far Rio has compiled a 4.76 ERA in 5 relief appearances.

Former Blue Jays Chris Colabello– .246 with a homer in 18 games and Jarrod Saltalamacchia– .175 with 3 homers in 18 games are attempting to revive their chances at a major league opportunity with a strong showing in Mexico. Both play with Alford on the Charros.

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You have to figure if Alford can light up the box score in Mexico the Jays may be more apt to head into 2018 with him pencilled in as the starting right fielder. Alford has all the raw tools to be a game changer on both sides of the diamond he now he just needs an opportunity to prove it.