Alford making a case for himself this spring

DUNEDIN -- Don't look now, but Anthony Alford is starting to make some noise in the Blue Jays' crowded battle for playing time in the outfield.

Toronto's No. 11 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, has homered three times over his last two games, and is arguably riding the hottest hitting streak in camp. Alford is now six for his last 11 with four home runs and seven RBIs, while also posting a .391 on-base percentage in 21 at-bats.

The positive results could not be coming at a better time. Alford entered last year as one of the club's top prospects, but his stock was hurt by an inconsistent season at Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit just .240 with a .656 OPS. He needs a good year to re-establish his footing within the organization, and this spring is a strong start.

"I’ve worked with Guillermo [Martinez] in the offseason, and tried to redefine my swing, redefine my mechanics; simplify everything just to give me a better chance to recognize pitches more," Alford said in reference to Toronto's hitting coach. "I feel like I’m seeing the ball a lot better. Opposed to having very big mechanics with a lot of movement. Pretty much simplifying everything, it’s helped me out."

Alford said his biggest adjustment this offseason was trying to stay through the ball by remaining on the same plane with his swing. He felt in the past there was a tendency to get on top of the ball a little too much, which generated top spin to the left, and flat contact to the right. He believes what he's doing now generates more power, and so far it appears to be working.

The case for Alford to make the Opening Day roster is hampered by Toronto's depth chart. Randal Grichuk is the projected starter in right, and Kevin Pillar will start in center while Teoscar Hernandez and Billy McKinney are expected to split time in left. Even if there was an injury this spring, Dalton Pompey appeared next in line to become a fourth outfielder.

The Blue Jays want Alford playing every day, and if it's not going to happen in Toronto then it will have to be at Triple-A Buffalo. Despite the recent results, that also might be the best course of action for a player who slashed .240/.312/.344 in the International League last year, and will need to have a more consistent season with the bat before he can be considered a viable Major Leaguer.

"I really don’t try to focus on that," Alford said. "If I worried about that, I wouldn’t be able to go out there and perform to the best of my ability. I just try to take it one day at a time, you know? Everybody knows how this game is. Everybody knows the business side, that’s part of it.

"I just try to focus on myself, and give myself the best opportunity to be successful. I just can’t do that, worrying about who’s on the 40-man, or who’s getting the opportunity. I just try to be ready when the opportunity comes."

In a lot of ways, this is shaping up to be a make-or-break season for Alford. Even if it doesn't happen on Opening Day, Alford is bound to get an extended look at some point this year and his results will go a long way in deciding whether he has a long-term future in the organization.

"What separates guys in the bigs and guys in the Minors, it’s their mentality," Alford said. "Just being able to stay in the moment -- don’t worry about what’s coming a month from now or a week from now, just live in that moment. Whether that’s in the batter’s box, the outfield, the basepaths, just being able to live in that moment and take advantage of it."