Albert Almora

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Almora

Albert Almora Jr. (born April 16, 1994) is an American professional baseball outfielder of Cuban descent, who currently plays for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). Almora primarily plays center field.

Amateur career

Almora attended Mater Academy Charter School in Hialeah Gardens, Florida. In 2011, Almora was named USA Baseball's athlete of the year after leading the 18 and under team to a 9–0 record and being named the tournament MVP. He played on six national teams while in high school, tying a record. He won the USA Baseball Richard W. "Dick" Case Player of the Year Award in 2011.

Professional career

Draft

The Chicago Cubs selected Almora Jr. in the first round, with the sixth overall selection, in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed with the Cubs, receiving a $3.9 million signing bonus. MLB.com ranked Almora as the second best prospect in the Cubs organization in 2013, and the 39th ranked prospect in all of baseball.

Minor leagues

Almora played for the Kane County Cougars of the Class A Midwest League in 2013. He had a .329 batting average in 61 games played, as he missed time due to injury. After the 2013 season, the Cubs assigned Almora to the Arizona Fall League to gain more experience.

Almora began the 2015 season at the Southern League AA level Tennessee Smokies. On April 5, 2016 he was assigned to the Iowa Cubs of the Pacific Coast League, the Cubs AAA affiliate. At Iowa prior to being called up, he was batting .318 in 54 games.

Major leagues

Chicago Cubs

Almora Jr. was promoted to the Cubs on June 7, 2016 when Jorge Soler was placed on the disabled list. He made his first career start in left field on June 8, 2016 against the Philadelphia Phillies and on his first fielding opportunity threw out a runner at home to complete a double play. The following day, he got his first major league hit.

On November 2, 2016 In Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, Almora Jr. took over as a pinch runner for Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs designated hitter who opened the top of the 10th inning with a lead-off single to right. Almora Jr. advanced to second base on a rare tag-up play from first base thanks to a deep fly ball out hit by Kris Bryant. After Cleveland Indians pitcher Bryan Shaw intentionally walked Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Almora Jr. scored the go-ahead 7th run for the Cubs off of a double by Ben Zobrist. The Cubs went on to win the game 8-7, earning their first World Series victory since 1908 thanks in part to Almora Jr.'s baserunning skill.

Personal

His father, Albert Sr., played baseball in Cuba before he defected to the United States. Almora began training with his father when he was three years old.