Chicago Cubs: Time for Albert Almora to Shine
Albert Almora Jr. had a solid rookie season in 2016 for the Chicago Cubs. With Dexter Fowler departing this off-season, now is Almora’s chance to show the team he can be their every-day center fielder.
Plenty of eyes will be focused on the play of Chicago Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. this upcoming season. The 22-year-old former top prospect is coming off an impressive rookie season with the Chicago Cubs after all.
While 47 regular season games is a small sample size, Almora Jr. hit .277 with three home runs in 112 at-bats. He demonstrated steady patience throughout his at-bats, striking out just 20 times. Even though Almora Jr. only walked five times in 2016, more times than not, he’d make solid contact.
While Almora’s hitting was a pleasant surprise for the Cubs, his bread and butter is his stellar defense. Almora Jr. plays center field, and boy is he good at it.
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Showing exceptional range and speed, Almora Jr. is able to track down just about any ball hit to him. He’ll often make acrobatic catches while back-pedaling towards the warning track of opposing ballparks.
There is no fear shown in Almora’s eyes while he’s making a highlight-reel play going after a ball hit hard in his direction. Like many of his teammates do consistently, he is willing to put his body into harm’s way just to make a game-saving catch.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, what will Almora’s role be with the defending champs? Because Dexter Fowler is now in St. Louis, the Cubs will be relying more heavily on Almora Jr. to continue where he left off last season. He’ll likely be fighting for the starting job in center field with veteran newcomer Jon Jay.
If Almora Jr. wins the starting spot in spring training, he’ll still face great pressure to produce right away. The Cubs currently have one of the top outfield prospects in baseball lingering in the minors.
Eloy Jimenez is his name, and at just 20-years-old, he has a chance to be special once he reaches the majors. That could happen as a September call-up this upcoming season, or perhaps even sooner. After all, the Cubs’ front office is known to elevate their young prospects to the majors much sooner than expected. Just look at both Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber.
The time for Albert Almora Jr. to prove himself to the Cubs’ coaching staff is now. He needs to continue to progress as a dependable hitter/on-base threat this upcoming season. The Cubs have so many players who can play both infield and outfield. If Almora Jr. were to struggle, he’d easily be replaceable.
Will Almora Jr. be up to the challenge? The challenge to remain in the Cubs’ every-day lineup for years to come. A lineup that is stacked with home run hitters from top-to-bottom.
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He better be. Otherwise, Almora Jr. will just be another role player coming off the Cubs’ bench.
Nothing wrong with that, but who wouldn’t want to rather shine in the spotlight?