Almora Jr. makes case for everyday role with the Reds
CHICAGO –– When the Cincinnati Reds signed Albert Almora Jr. he expected to compete with Aristides Aquino and TJ Friedl for a spot as a backup outfielder.
While Almora Jr. had just a .134 batting average in 82 big league games between 2020 and 2021, he was confident that a major adjustment to his swing could get his career back on track.
Now Almora Jr. is viewed as an everyday player.
“I came here and tried to have the same mentality and approach to the game,” Almora Jr. said. “Whenever my name was called, I want to do my job. ... Not necessarily try to hit home runs, (but) do damage all the time. Just trying to play the game the right way.”
In returning to Wrigley Field this week, Almora Jr. is facing his former team. The Chicago Cubs drafted him out of high school with the No. 6 pick in the 2012 MLB draft, and he was a part of the Cubs' World Series team in 2016.
In 2018, Almora Jr. looked like a pillar of the Cubs' future, hitting .286 in 444 at-bats. But in 2019, his batting average cratered to .236. In 2020, it was even worse at .167.
The Cubs cut Almora Jr. at the end of the 2020 season. Even though he had been a top prospect, they moved on from him when he was 26 years old.
Almora Jr. spent 2021 with the New York Mets and split time between MLB and Triple-a. He signed with the Reds in 2022 as a minor league free agent and brought a swing adjustment with him.
Instead of an off-balanced toe tap, Almora Jr. started gliding his front foot and timing pitches better. He also has had success pointing his front foot toward the backstop, leading to his hitting .267 entering Wednesday.
And even though he has played through hip soreness and shoulder soreness, Almora Jr. has made as many great diving or sliding catches as anyone in the Reds outfield this season.
“Even the ones that (don't look like) great plays, he makes it look easy,” Reds manager David Bell said.
Tyler Naquin could begin a rehab assignment by the end of next week, and when he does, Bell will have to decide whether or not Almora Jr. is a part of the Reds' plans.
“He has earned the playing time,” Bell said. “Of course, he's one of the guys that benefitted from an opportunity. There was an opening and then he made the most of that opportunity. It's been fun watching him play all areas of the game. Instincts, the defense, he's confident in his offense, maybe more than any point in his career.”