Almora Gives Up The Social Life

MESA, Ariz.—On Nov. 1, Cubs outfield prospect Albert Almora tweeted about how great the final game of the World Series was. On Nov. 13 he tweeted simply “#PrayForParis.”

That’s it. Nothing since. And don’t expect to see any more this season.

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The No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 draft had an epiphany late one night, checking emails, texts, Instagram and Twitter—until realizing how late it was.

“What am I doing?” he said to himself. “I’ve got to wake up at 5 to work out. This is my career. I’ve got to put my priorities in check.”

It could turn out to be a key for Almora—who might be the top defensive outfielder in the system—if he can translate that into a big year at triple-A Iowa. The Cubs conspicuously have not filled center field with a long-term solution, even as they had another big free agent winter coming off their playoff season.

Those 5 a.m. wakeup calls rolled him out of bed toward the University of Miami, where he worked out daily with a trainer and big leaguers Yonder Alonso and Manny Machado.

“They really pushed me,” said Almora, the Cubs’ sixth-ranked prospect, who this season has earned praise from team officials for his noticeable strength gains and confidence.

“He’s in a really good place mentally, feels really good,” farm director Jaron Madison said. “He really took control of his career this year. I think it’s going to be a big spring training for him.”

After a second slow start in as many seasons last year at Double-A Tennessee, Almora got a pep talk from rehabbing big leaguer Miguel Montero, reinforcement from his manager Buddy Bailey, and then turned in one of the best finishes in the system.

“I just decided, `Hey, listen, it’s time to go. I’ve got to prove that I’m a good baseball player,’ ” Almora said. “And I really don’t have to prove it. You think (to yourself), ‘I’ve always been that guy; just do it.’”

CUBBY HOLES

• Third baseman Christian Villanueva, an important part of the Cubs’ corner infield depth at Triple-A, broke his right fibula Feb. 28, when he landed wrong after leaping for a high infield chopper.

• The Cubs sent two instructors to Florida ahead of spring training to work with 2015 first-round pick Ian Happ—an outfielder and part-time infielder in college—on his transition to a full-time second baseman.