Denny Almonte Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2799
AVG	.242
OBP	.295
SLG	.422
HR	100

Full name Denny Almonte
Born 09/24/1988 in Miami, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Florida Christian
Drafted in the 2nd round (75th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2007 (signed for $427,500).

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Not to be confused with the infamous Danny, this switch-hitting Dominican transferred to Florida Christian prior to his senior season. A toolsy, premium athlete, Almonte made an early push this spring, flashing plus speed, power and center-field skills to grab lots of attention. But each time his name comes up, "boom or bust," "Jekyll and Hyde" and "risk and reward" seem to precede the conversation. At his best, Almonte flies around the outfield with a quick first step and good body control. Balls jump off his bat and he drives them out of the park, evoking Devon White comparisons. He's a 6.8 runner in the 60-yard dash, and while that tool always shows, there have been games when none of the others do. He has strong wrists and forearms, but a rigid swing littered with holes. His swing plane tends to be up the zone rather than through it from the left side, and he swings and misses often. Because of some good performances in front of the right audiences, Almonte could be drafted as high as the supplemental round. Teams less optimistic about his projection would consider taking him in the fifth.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

Born in the Dominican Republic, Almonte transferred to Miami's Florida Christian High prior to his senior season. Among Mariners prospects, only Greg Halman has a more enticing package of tools. On the other hand, few Mariners prospects are as raw as Almonte. For example, the switch-hitter batted .145 with 37 strikeouts in 76 at-bats during his 2007 pro debut. In 2008, Seattle opted to hold him back in extended spring training until mid-May, though he showed enough once assigned to low Class A to remain there for the rest of the season. While his plus raw power and athleticism are obvious, his swing, especially from the left side, is going to take a lot of repetitions to iron out because he looks as if he's feeling for the ball. Almonte's righthanded swing is more compact and fluid, and he batted .293 from that side last season, compared to .233 as a lefty. He struggled with pitch recognition from both sides, striking out 149 times in 100 games. He's a plus runner, thrower and defender in center field. He hasn't figured out how to use his speed as well on the basepaths, where he was caught 10 times in 24 steal attempts. He would benefit from playing more under control in all phases of the game. Beginning the 2009 season back in low Class A wouldn't be seen as a setback for Almonte, who'll be only 20.
Though just one round separated them in the 2007 June, Almonte and third-rounder Danny Carroll are practically polar opposites of one another. Where Carroll is a pure baseball player without overwhelming tools, Almonte oozes tools but has struggled to put all five together. Case in point: he hit .145 in his debut with strikeouts in nearly half his at-bats. Taken 75th overall and signed for $427,500, Almonte has strong wrists and forearms, but the switch-hitter's swing is going to take a lot of repetitions to iron out. His swing is more compact and natural from the right side, but he has a pronounced uppercut from the left side, which the Mariners believe can be refined because of Almonte's athleticism and fluidity. He has some feel for the strike zone and offers plus power projection and well above-average speed. He also is an above-average center fielder with a quick first step and good body control. Rounding out his tool set, Almonte has a plus arm. Even though the Mariners like to challenge their young players, their low-level outfield situation already is crowded with the likes of Greg Halman, Danny Carroll, Joe Dunigan and Kalian Sams, meaning Almonte may return to Everett in 2008.