Entering Sunday’s action against the Cubs, Pirates outfielder Anthony Alford was hitting .203, but during the month of September, he is showing signs of progress at the plate, going 5-for-17 (.294) with three home runs and five RBIs.
Manager Derek Shelton said confidence and having success at Triple-A Indianapolis are the reasons for Alford’s recent improvement at the plate.
“Earlier in the year when he was here, I think the confidence [was] shaken a little bit,” Shelton said. “[Then] he went down and did a really nice job in Indy. He came back and he has really solidified his setup and his approach a little bit. I think we are starting to see that success.”
While at Indianapolis, Alford made adjustments in the batter’s box.
“The main thing was just body position,” Alford said. “[Hitting coach Joe Nunnally] really helped me out a lot in understanding my swing and what pitches … I [can hit] for power.”
That success at the plate was displayed in Friday’s game against the Cubs.
In the fifth, Alford hit a monster home run over the left-field wall. According to Statcast, Alford’s shot was projected at 469 feet. That means the ball left the ballpark and landed onto Waveland Ave.
The next inning, Alford hit a two-run blast over the center-field wall. The ball was projected to travel 435 feet, according to Statcast.
“Positive things seem to happen whenever I connect. I felt good in the box,” Alford said. “I’m just focused on having good at-bats and having a positive outcome.”