Yankees Daily

Full Name: Zoilo Almonte
Position: Outfield
Born: 06/10/1989
Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: 165
Bats: S
Throws: R

Background:

Signed by the New York Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2005 out of the Dominican Republic. Was just 16 at the time.

Minor League Career:

2006:

Made his professional debut with the Yankees’ DSL 1 squad and batted .219 in 53 games played. Hit the Yankees’ only grand slam of the season on 8/23 vs. the Diamondbacks.

2007:

Batted .268 with 25 Runs, 11 doubles and 24 RBI in 50 games with the GCL Yankees.

2008:

Batted .239 with 7 doubles, 5 HR and 20 RBI in 57 games with the GCL Yankees and lead the club in homers. Played in the second-most games in the GCL. Grounded into eight double plays, tied for most in the league. Hit .486 (18-for-37) when leading off an inning.

2009:

Had a team high 20 doubles and doubled his career stolen base total.

On 10-10-2010 he won the 2010 NYP Glove Wizard Award at CF.

Scouting Report:

Strengths:

He is a true center fielder with good speed and has some power potential. The right handed throwing, switch-hitting Almonte is an impressive hitter that is mature beyond his years. Is a clutch hitter and with tireless work ethic improved his arm strength, defense and speed and can play all three outfield positions. He plays best at left-field however.

Probably was the team MVP of the playoffs and was one of the most consistent hitting Yankee all year.

Knows the strike zone pretty well, has good bat speed and hits to all fields with his level swing. He is a switch hitter and is a better right-handed batter than left-handed but has improved his left-handed swing. He hits the ball hard, drives the ball and is getting stronger. He most likely will never be a big power hitter.

Is an aggressive runner on the base paths and is an above average runner. He also went from an average defensive outfielder to an above average outfielder since working on his game.

Weaknesses:

Is taking a longer time to develop because he’s trying to bat right-handed and left-handed. Doesn’t have the power the Yankees would have hoped for and will need to be more consistent at the plate in all levels of ball.

The future:

Will start with the Charleston RiverDogs in 2010. Is still only 20 years old so he has a little margin for error but will still need to improve every step of the way.

Zoilo Almonte Video

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