Zoilo Almonte

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Yankees #19 prospect in 2012
  The Yankees' Almonte prospects run from A to Z. Abe Almonte ranked 30th on this list in our 2009 Handbook and had a 34-game hitting streak in high Class A last season. His teammate in the first half at Tampa, Zoilo Almonte, hadn't played his way into prospect status before 2011, striking out 130 times in his lone year at the full-season level. He broke out last year, making more consistent contact and bashing a career-high 15 homers. Almonte doesn't have one carrying tool but offers a solid package. He has added 40 pounds since signing in 2005, and now has the strength and bat speed to generate at least average power. A switch-hitter, he has improved his pitch recognition with more experience. Almonte is an above-average defender in left field and has the arm strength to be an average defender in right as well. His speed is fringy, and likely limits him to an outfield corner as a starter, but he'll continue playing center field in the minors and should have a future as a fourth outfielder if his bat falls short of a corner profile. Almonte plays with energy and has many ways to help a team win. How much progress he continues to make with the bat as he returns to Double-A in 2012 will determine if he has a future as a regular. New York believes in him enough to have added him to its 40-man roster in November.