
DAYTONA BEACH -- Highly-touted centerfield prospect Albert Almora, the 6th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft, has been assigned to the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League, officials with the Chicago Cubs announced Sunday.
Almora, who bats ands throws right-handed, is the parent club's No. 2 overall-ranked prospect, having received a $3.9 million bonus when he signed with the National League Central Division team out of Mater Academy Charter School in Hialeah, Fla.
Almora, who bats ands throws right-handed, is the parent club's No. 2 overall-ranked prospect, having received a $3.9 million bonus when he signed with the National League Central Division team out of Mater Academy Charter School in Hialeah, Fla.
Baseball America has the 19-year-old speedy outfielder rated 38th overall prospect in the majors heading into the 2014 season. Whether he makes the jump all the way from Single A ball to the big leagues could be a tall order in just one season, but perhaps a September call-up when MLB rosters are expanded may not be out of the question.
Almora played on six national teams while in high school, tying a record, leading to his first round amateur draft selection by the Chicago Cubs.
He played for the Kane County Cougars of the Class A Midwest League in 2013. Almora, 6 feet 2 and 180 pounds, had a .329 batting average in 61 games played, as he missed time due to injury.
After the 2013 season, the Cubs assigned him to the Arizona Fall League to gain more experience.