Fansided

One September callup we want for each MLB team

By Joshua Sadlock

MIAMI, FL - JULY 9: Brent Honeywell #21 of Team USA pitches during the SirusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on Sunday, July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by LG Patterson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JULY 9: Brent Honeywell #21 of Team USA pitches during the SirusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on Sunday, July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by LG Patterson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – MAY 19: Anthony Alford #30 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs towards first base during his MLB debut against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 19, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – MAY 19: Anthony Alford #30 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs towards first base during his MLB debut against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 19, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Toronto Blue Jays: Anthony Alford

The brief run the Blue Jays made at getting out of last place in the AL East has faded and they may be relegated to playing out the string in September. Injuries and age conspired to torpedo what should have been another year of contention for Toronto. It’s hard not to fall out of it with Aaron Sanchez, Devon Travis, Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson missing large chunks of playing time.

A slow start to the season has gone from bad to worse for right fielder Jose Bautista. The club holds a 2018 option on the franchise icon, but he is hitting .207/.315/.377 on the year and .153/.246/.331 in the second half. This might realistically be the last season for the 36-year-old former All-Star.

Recognizing that there are no guarantees that Bautista will be back next year (although it’s hard to imagine the Jays cutting Bautista loose), it’s time for Anthony Alford to get an extended run in the big leagues before the year ends. The top-50 prospect got into four games in the early months of the season and picked up a double in eight at-bats. Alford has batted .311/.406/.432 at Double-A.

A hand injury kept Alford out for two months, but he is active again and worth another look. He has the potential to be an impactful hitter at the top of the order as soon as next year. The Jays will no doubt have the disastrous development of Dalton Pompey on their mind while deciding what to do with Alford.

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