Former Top MLB Prospect Heads To Korean League

After never quite catching on in the big leagues, a former 3rd-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays is now calling Korea home. 27-year-old outfielder Anthony Alford has signed with the KT Wiz of the Korean Baseball Organization. 

The speedy Alford was a top outfield prospect after his selection by the Blue Jays in 2012. He first made it to Toronto as a 22-year-old in 2017, but never played in more than 18 games in a single season for the Jays. He was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020, but despite 133 at-bats in 2021, he just never quite broke through. 

He's been plagued by injuries throughout his career, everything from a fractured hand to a broken elbow to hamstring and back problems.

All in all, in 220 major league at-bats, he holds a .209 average and a .643 OPS. He'll get a new start with the Wiz.

"Alford has raw power, and he is capable of generating hard contact," the Wiz's general manager Na Do-hyun said. "He also has a great throwing arm, and he can put pressure on opposing defense with his speed on base paths."

He joins the defending Korean Series champions, though the Wiz are off to a slow start this season, at 20-25. 

As far as Alford is concerned though, nobody beats the Wiz. 

Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports