Bucs claim OF Tom off waivers, DFA Alford

The Pirates shook up their outfield picture with a flurry of moves ahead of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Tigers.

Pittsburgh gained another 2020 Rule 5 Draft pick by claiming outfielder Ka'ai Tom off waivers from the A’s. Oakland picked Tom 16th overall in December, after the 26-year-old spent six years in the Indians’ system.

• Tom's journey from Hawaii to the Majors

Tom has struggled in his short taste of the Majors thus far, going 1-for-16 in 2021 while making only four starts among his nine appearances. However, he commanded attention in 2019, when he posted a .912 OPS with 27 doubles, 10 triples and 23 homers in 132 games split across Double-A and Triple-A.

The other set of moves the Pirates made on Wednesday opens the door for Tom to see some playing time. The club designated for assignment Anthony Alford, who began the season 2-for-24 with 16 strikeouts, and recalled infielder Rodolfo Castro from the alternate training site.

Alford arrived with an exclamation in 2020 after the Pirates acquired him from the Blue Jays. The right-handed hitter, who provides elite speed and great defense, hit a triple and a homer in his first five games for Pittsburgh, but his season ended when he collided with the outfield wall at PNC Park and fractured his right elbow.

The Mississippi native fared well in his return during Spring Training, when he hit 9-for-36 with two doubles and two homers, but those gains did not translate into the regular season.

Tom will compete with another former A’s top prospect, Dustin Fowler, for time in center field with the Pirates. Fowler, who was acquired from Oakland for cash during Spring Training, has also needed time to find results, batting 7-for-36 with one double in 16 games.

General manager Ben Cherington said on Thursday -- regarding the meager production from center field and potential shakeup -- that nothing is off the table, but they’re hoping to give guys time and opportunities to establish themselves there.

“Whether that’s guys who have played outfield all their lives or guys who've done other things, we're open to both,” Cherington said. “We know, over time, we want to improve our outfield, and we want to give guys a chance to be part of that.”

Castro, 21, has the ability to play across the infield, with most of his reps in the Minor Leagues coming at second base and shortstop. The Dominican prospect only recorded three hits in 16 spring games, but all were extra-base hits: one double and two homers. Castro last played at the High-A level, recording a .679 OPS in 57 games.