MESA, Arizona -- Courtesy of BCB reader Eric Pauly (@ericlpauly on Twitter), here's video of Cubs prospect Albert Almora during batting practice Wednesday at Fitch Park in Mesa.
As you can see, he's got a nice, fluid swing, no hitches to it; of course, it'll be a long time before he's ready for the major leagues. He won't turn 19 until next month, and he had a successful pro debut in the Arizona rookie league last summer (.347/.363/.480 in 75 at-bats) before a promotion to Boise. He's probably ticketed for Low-A Kane County this season -- at least to begin -- which should make a lot of you who live in the western suburbs of Chicago very happy, because you will have a chance to see him firsthand playing for the Cougars. He did get to play in one major-league spring-training game this year, just to give him a taste of what it's like.
I hope to get over to Fitch Park soon -- possibly as early as Thursday -- and will take video there if I can.
Thanks again to Eric for the video.