Pittsburgh Pirates: 2021 Center Field Options Entering the Off-Season

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 02: Anthony Alford #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 2, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 02: Anthony Alford #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 2, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
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Sep 4, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Anthony Alford (6) hits a two run triple against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Anthony Alford (6) hits a two run triple against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Alford

Another option is a player the Pittsburgh Pirates added via waivers in August. This player is Anthony Alford.

The Pirates claimed Alford off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on August 27th. Being a former Blue Jay prospect, he is a player that Pirate general manager Ben Cherington is very familiar with. Also, Alford is a player with a very high ceiling. After all, he is a former top-100 prospect.

Prior to suffering a season-ending elbow injury that required surgery on September 5th, Alford has flashed with the Pirates. In five games with the Pirates, Alford was 3-for-12 with a home run, a triple, a walk, and just one strikeout in 13 plate appearances.

He also scored a run on a wild pitch that only rolled a foot or two away from the catcher. It was more a steal of home than scoring on a wild pitch. As he displayed on that play, Alford has elite speed and can be a plus defender in center field.

Prior to his injury, the Pirates appeared committed to giving Alford an extended look in center field during the month of September. Had he not gotten injured, Alford may have soldiifed himself as the clubhouse leader to be the Opening Day center fielder in 2021. Personally, when weighing the internal options, he would be my pick.

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