Chicago Cubs’ Albert Almora is earning the everyday CF spot

Since the departure of Dexter Fowler in 2017, the Chicago Cubs have not had an everyday center fielder. That needs to change this season, and Albert Almora needs to be the one to step up to be the starter.

Albert Almora has the most potential and is the best equipped to be the Chicago Cubs starting center fielder. Over the last few seasons, he has shown glimpses of what he’s capable of doing at the big league level but hasn’t been able to put it together for a whole season. I think that will be different in 2019 and if given a chance to play every day, Almora will have a huge impact for the Cubs while enjoying a breakout season.

Defensively he is an elite center fielder and showed that on numerous occasions last season with a number of web gem catches. He is the Cubs best option in center field, and yes, I say that even with Jason Heyward, a five-time Gold Glove winner on our roster.

In 2018, Almora saved nine runs on defense which was the third most among all qualifying center fielders. It was also the 10th most among all qualifying outfielders and was three more than Heyward’s six defensive runs saved.

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While his defense has never been in question, his ability to perform at the plate has always been up for debate. The book on Almora has said he doesn’t boast a lot of power, he crushes lefties but can’t hit righties, and he doesn’t have the patience to see enough pitches.

Almora needs to make improvements at the plate

It looked like he started to figure it out last season when he put together an incredible first half, but then he fizzled out as the year went on. He hit .319 in the first half compared to .232 in the second half of the season. It did look like he started to make some strides against right-handed pitching though as he hit nearly 10 points higher than in 2017.

He also came into Spring Training with a new batting stance and some adjustments to his swing which seem to have paid off.

While you never want to read into spring training stats too much, it’s hard not to like what we’ve seen from Almora so far. He’s arguably been one of the Cubs best hitters early on, recording 13 hits to go along with a .382 batting average. He’s also hit two home runs this spring both of which led off a game. Those two home runs also came off of right-handed pitchers, who he has struggled against historically.

Another option in center field: Ian Happ

The other option to platoon or possibly even start in center field is Ian Happ. Happ brings a much different skill set to the table than Almora, but unfortunately, that doesn’t include a glove.

In center field, Happ is frankly a liability. He misjudges balls frequently, and it doesn’t look like he’s made many adjustments during spring training. As I mentioned earlier, last season Almora saved nine runs defensively while Happ posted a DRS of -6. Defensively, these guys aren’t even on the same planet.

At the plate, Happ certainly has more power than Almora; there’s no question about that. Happ hit 15 home runs last season while Almora only managed to hit five long balls.

Happ is also a much more patient hitter at the plate, as he sees a lot more pitches than Almora. He boasts a higher on-base percentage while walking 15 percent of the time compared to Almora, who walks just five percent of the time.

Despite his power and patience at the plate, Happ does not hit for average, and he strikes out way too much. His strikeout percentage is 36.1 percent, the highest on the Cubs last season. Almora only strikes out 17.3 percent of the time while also posting a batting average 50 points higher than Happ.

Almora’s case to start in center field is a no-brainer for me. He gives the Cubs a huge advantage defensively with his glove, and he hits for average while not striking out too much. I’d rather have that than a defensive liability in Happ, who either seemingly hits a home run, strikes out or walks every time. On top of that, if Almora develops more patience at the plate and continues to hit righties better, he could make for a solid leadoff hitter as well.