Toronto Blue Jays prospect Anthony Alford only appeared in four games at the MLB level before landing on the disabled list with a broken hamate, but the outfielder is confident that brief experience will serve him well in the future.
In an interview with Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker on Baseball Central Thursday, Alford said he was living the dream during his first stint in the majors and was trying to soak up the experience. Now that he has a glimpse of what he can expect, the 22-year-old believes he’ll be more relaxed the next time he finds himself with the big club.
“I was kind of taking it day-by-day because I didn’t know what could happen,” Alford said on Sportsnet 590 The FAN. “I was just trying to go out and compete and have fun and enjoy that moment. My dream had just become true when I was up there, I felt like I was living in a dream that short time I was up and I was just trying to enjoy every moment.
“Now that I know how it is up there and I kind of got a little taste of it I kind of know what to expect and I’d be a whole lot more comfortable and I could just go out there and play the game.”
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Alford had been out of commission since May 23 with a broken left hamate bone before beginning his rehab assignment with the class-A Dunedin Blue Jays on Wednesday.
He’s progressing back to full health but admits it can be difficult not to think about his injury when he steps into the batter’s box.
“Batting practice is fine, I’m starting to get a little more comfortable,” Alford said. “When you first start back hitting, you’re going to have that soreness, tightness. I think it’s more about what your pain tolerance is. Sometimes I’m kind of feeling for it and kind of timid at times but I just have to get to a point where I can trust it and not think about it. It’s hard to be thinking about your hand while you’re hitting. It’s hard enough to hit as it is, so I’m trying to get to a point where I’m not thinking about it.”
Alford was slashing .325/.411/.455 with nine stolen bases in 33 games with double-A New Hampshire before his promotion to the Blue Jays. He went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Wednesday’s game with Dunedin.
Listen to the entire interview with Alford in the video at the top of this page.
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