Chicago Cubs: Albert Almora Should Make Huge Majority of Starts in Centerfield

By Dan Schmelzer | Feb 4, 2017

Oct 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Albert Almora Jr. (5) during today's workout prior to game 1 of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Cubs have many options, but Albert Almora must make a majority of the starts in centerfield.

The Chicago Cubs are loaded with the talent to make another World Series run. Reigning league MVP Kris Bryant is back along with Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell and other offensive stars. Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta are also back to lead the Cubs’ impressive pitching staff. This team is still loaded with talent from top to bottom.

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However, there is one key piece missing from this team. This off season, centerfielder Dexter Fowler signed a five-year free agent contract worth $82.5 million with the St. Louis Cardinals. Fowler was undoubtedly an important part of the Chicago Cubs the past two seasons, but they clearly felt like they had the fire-power to move on without him.

With a Fowler-sized hole now in centerfield, who will take over his starts? With the mad scientist Joe Maddon calling the shot, the answer is probably a variety of players. The Cubs signed Jon Jay to a free agent contract this off season, and he will undoubtedly figure into the mix.

I could also see the Cubs using their centerfield hole to get Javier Baez into the lineup. Baez is expected to see more starts at second base this season. This will force Zobrist to the outfield more than last year. Keeping Kyle Schwarber fresh in left field will be a good spot for Zobrist to get starts, but I imagine that he will also see plenty of work in right field.

If Baez starts at second base and Zobrist in right field, Jason Heyward could step in and take some starts in centerfield. This would undoubtedly hurt their outfield defense, but their infield defense is better and their offense probably is too.

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Playing Jay and Heyward in centerfield is a solid plan of attack. However, neither are the Cubs’ best option. Albert Almora should take a majority of the starts in centerfield for the Chicago Cubs in 2017.

Almora got a taste of the big leagues last season in a reserve role. He was primarily used as a late-inning defensive replacement, but he was an extremely important part of the Cubs’ post-season run.

While his time was extremely limited, Almora had a lot of regular season offensive success. He hit .277/.308/.455 in 112 at-bats. Obviously not the greatest sample-size, but encouraging nonetheless. Especially when you consider the rest of Almora’s skills.

He is an elite defensive centerfielder who takes incredible routes to the ball. The Cubs will certainly miss Fowler, but having Almora in centerfield is an immediate defensive upgrade. On days where Almora plays centerfield and Heyward plays right, I do not care who plays in left, that is going to be an elite defensive outfield.

Almora was the sixth overall selection by the Cubs in the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft. He was the first draft pick made by the Chicago Cubs with Theo Epstein and company in charge. Almora was a high school outfielder with an impressive pedigree. He saw immediate minor league success and was quickly ranked among the best prospects in baseball.

There have always been questions about Almora’s bat, but his elite defensive play and incredible make-up has carried him to the big leagues. While the questions with the bat are still there, I feel like they are being overstated.

Almora hit .290/.322/.416 throughout the minor leagues, consistently playing in levels where he was young for the competition. Almora is an impact defender who runs the bases well. He is also considered a great club house guy and hits better than he is given credit for.

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Albert Almora is a big-time MLB talent who could become the next big position player talent for the Cubs. They have the offensive support to give Almora time to grow on the field in 2017. Jay and Heyward will see their fair share of starts in centerfield, but this should be Almora’s job.

Albert Almora must be the starting centerfielder for the Chicago Cubs in 2017.

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