Last night, the Chicago Cubs made Miami high school outfielder Albert Almora their top pick, selecting him sixth overall in the 2012 Draft. It was an expected pick, but also one that’s easy to get behind. Almora has above average tools across the board, is a hard worker, is smart, and has a very polished approach. He wasn’t just an acceptable pick at number six, he might genuinely have been the perfect guy for the Cubs.
We’ve talked about Almora a great deal over the last couple weeks, but, now that we know he’s the guy, it’s worth running down some more thoughts on the 18-year-old.
The reactions/scouting reports have been many, together with useful tidbits:
From Cubs’ Scouting Chief Jason McLeod: “If you look at the total package of Albert, he has the ability to no doubt play in the major leagues, but it’s also the makeup and work ethic, how he carries himself and the leadership he’s shown. It’s what we’re looking to do here with the Cubs – to bring in somebody that will be an impact player and to impact those around him …. It goes back to the evaluation of him as a player on the ability, but even more on the makeup side. He’s driven to succeed and be the best. We feel that in this market there is something to the whole ‘Theo Epstein first draft’ and our first draft. But that will subside quickly and it will be about him and what he does for this franchise moving forward. We feel he will handle it well because of who he is and what it means to him to be great.”
McLeod noted that, while it was a nice surprise to have the option of taking someone like Mark Appel, Almora was the guy they wanted all along.
From Almora, himself: “I’m speechless. I don’t remember much of anything that happened tonight. I know that the Cubs drafted me, and I’m grateful, but I’m still kind of shocked and overwhelmed.”
Also from Almora, showing some confidence: “I believe in my ability. But I’m not going to lie. In my book, I was the No. 1 pick.”
Almora a huge “makeup” guy, the kind of kid Epstein/Hoyer/McLeod have shown a preference for over the years. What that means, in short: he’s a good kid who works really hard. He’s got a 4.1 GPA in high school, and he works out with his dad constantly.
Offensively, Almora’s upside is a .300 hitter with a good approach, 20 home run power, and average speed. He’s 6’2″ 180 lbs, so you can see how he could add a little muscle and, in turn, some power.
Almora’s defense in center field is said to be so good that some scouts believe he could be an average defensive center fielder in MLB *right now.* This is not a case of a kid being the best athlete on his team, so they just stash him in center field. Almora actually is a serious center field prospect.
Almora was the 7th youngest player taken in the first round (behind Carlos Correa, Lucas Giolito, Corey Seager, Lucas Sims, Stryker Trahan, and Lewis Brinson).
Almora has played for USA Baseball more than any other player in history.
Given that the Cubs were so publicly attached to Almora for so long, it would be fair to infer that other teams knew the Cubs were going to be selecting Almora. And if other teams knew the Cubs were going to be selecting Almora, it would be fair to infer that the Cubs and Almora’s “advisor” (now agent) Scott Boras have had preliminary discussions about getting a deal together. That could have the makings of a relatively quick signing, even though Boras is known to usually take his clients up to the deadline (this year, the signing deadline has moved up to July 13). A quick signing has a number of benefits, the most obvious of which is that the kid can start playing baseball right away if the organization wants (depends on how much the player has played already that year).
Obviously, last night, Almora wouldn’t say whether he expects to sign and/or for how much. But the Cubs’ slot amount there is $3.25 million, and I think that’s probably about what he gets (and is worth).
Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here.
Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.
A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...
The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...
The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....
Brennen Davis and Matt Mervis hit home runs on Sunday for the Iowa Cubs, but it wasn't enough to earn the team a victory against the Columbus Clippers. That and more are in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report...
Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs won a game started by Kyle Hendricks and closed by Adbert Alzolay. Factually, that is what happened. I know. That's wild. Of course, that's what would've been the expected outcome last season for two of the...
After two years lost to injuries mixed in with underperformance at Triple-A, I think it's nice to be able to celebrate a great stretch of baseball from Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. Thanks to a particularly hot week, Davis...
We had a very nice Mother's Day with the kids, who were very kind to her and each other, and sometimes that's all you're looking for. They got a good mom. Starting in 2024, Statcast has begun tracking bat speed,...
Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...
Meaning no offense to Kyle Hendricks, but if you had to choose a veteran right-handed in the Cubs' rotation to face the Atlanta Braves this week, you're probably going with Jameson Taillon. We may never know if that was part...
There is something about seeing Cubs players homer with pink bats that makes me smile extra wide. I suppose it's PROBABLY at least a little because this is one of my favorite Cubs memories: https://twitter.com/ChiSportsDay/status/1788291377333170611 Javy Báez, with the pink...
Citi Field is electric, the energy is palpable, and the New York Mets are in the thick of the chase! Whether you're a die-hard Mets fan bleeding blue and orange or following the Amazin' Mets from afar, their remaining MLB...
On Monday at 9:30 PM ET, the Dallas Mavericks meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and Luka Doncic's 3-pointer prop for this clash requires three triples.Luka Doncic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...
On Monday at 9:30 PM ET, the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 3-pointer over/under for this clash requires two trifectas.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...
Kyrie Irving needs to make three 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Dallas Mavericks meet the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday at 9:30 PM ET, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.Kyrie Irving's Three-Pointer Prop...
Player prop bet odds for Jayson Tatum and others are listed when the Boston Celtics visit the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Monday at 7:00 PM ET.How to Watch Celtics vs. CavaliersDate: Monday, May 13, 2024Time: 7:00 PM...
Player prop betting options for Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and others are available in the Dallas Mavericks-Oklahoma City Thunder matchup at American Airlines Center on Monday (starting at 9:30 PM ET).How to Watch Mavericks vs. ThunderDate: Monday, May 13, 2024Time:...
The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....
Ketel Marte will look to extend his 13-game hitting streak when the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) take on the Cincinnati Reds (17-23). The Diamondbacks are listed as -151 favorites on the moneyline for the contest, which starts at 9:40 PM ET...
The Los Angeles Angels (15-26) are favored on the moneyline (-111) in Monday's contest versus the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24). Game time is at 9:38 PM ET on BSMW. The Cardinals, with +150 odds, are favored against the spread (1.5).Jose...
The Kansas City Royals (25-17) enter Monday's matchup with the Seattle Mariners (22-19) following their 3-1 series victory over the Angels. The Mariners, coming off of a series win against the Athletics, are listed as -151 favorites for Game 1....
NEWSLETTER
Last night, the Chicago Cubs made Miami high school outfielder Albert Almora their top pick, selecting him sixth overall in the 2012 Draft. It was an expected pick, but also one that’s easy to get behind. Almora has above average tools across the board, is a hard worker, is smart, and has a very polished approach. He wasn’t just an acceptable pick at number six, he might genuinely have been the perfect guy for the Cubs.
