Article content continued

“I’ll tell ya what, he’s got a chance to be a really good player. But he’s got to stay on the field. That’s the only thing that’s hurting him right now,” said the manager. “Dalton needs the sun to shine on him a little bit, he really does — an injury-free season, when he’s out there every day and produces like he’s capable. And I think he will.”

Pompey loves playing for his hometown team, but he did tell Postmedia at spring training last year that he just wants the chance to play regularly, and if that means a trade to another organization, so be it. In any event, Gibbons is impressed how the rangy outfielder handles the pressure of being the “hometown guy” when he gets called up to Toronto.

“I would think it would have to be tough,” Gibbons said. “I’ve known other guys who always wanted to play at home and then they do and everybody’s tugging at them and they really get no breather.”

Gibbons was asked what Pompey, Hernandez and Alford have to work on at triple-A Buffalo Bisons this season, if that’s how it shakes out.

“They just got to play, produce and wait for their opportunity,” he said.

Gibbons added that he certainly would like the look of those three in the Bisons’ outfield.

“I’d like it more than they would like it,” said Gibbons, meaning that they would prefer to stay in Toronto. “But, to be a good organization, you got to be able to fill some gaps when you get injuries or whatever. We struggled with that a little bit last year but now we feel good. It’s encouraging. And really, there’s some good competition down there too.”

As for whether Pompey can outshine his outfieldmates in Buffalo this season and get the call up to Toronto, Gibbons said anything is possible.

“We have good competition and let the best man win, and that’s really the way it’s supposed to be,” he said. “Competition brings out the best in everybody.”

sbuffery@postmedia.com