Albert Almora

In 132 games, Almora finished the season with a .298 batting average, eight home runs, and 46 RBIs. He also changed the name on the back of his jersey from 'Almora Jr.' to just 'Almora.’

Almora opened the 2019 season on Chicago's 25-man roster.

Tragedy followed triumph for Almora. Almora, a star center fielder for the Mater Academy of Hialeah Gardens, took the USA under-18 squad team to a gold medal at the Pan-American championships. With a gold medal and an MVP award, Almora returned home. But his grandmother, Tomasa Sosa, had died one day after he left for Cartagena, unknown to him. One day before he returned, his grandfather, Juan Sosa, also died. The Sosas lived with Almora and his parents.  On his return, Almora was told of the deaths. Almora broke down in tears; at his grandparents' viewing, he placed his gold medal in his grandfather's casket. Afterward, Almora shared that Baseball America ranked him 10th, and he received a scholarship from the University of Miami.

Almora chose "Tico" as his nickname for the Players Weekend during the 2017 and 2018 season. He says that the nickname was given to him as a child for his rowdy nature.

Almora was promoted to the Cubs on June 7, 2016 when Jorge Soler was placed on the disabled list. He made his first career start in left field on June 8, 2016 against the Philadelphia Phillies and on his first fielding opportunity threw out a runner at home to complete a double play. The following day, he got his first major league hit.

On November 2, 2016, in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, Almora took over as a pinch runner for Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs designated hitter who opened the top of the 10th inning with a lead-off single to right. Almora advanced to second base on a rare tag-up play from first base thanks to a deep fly ball out hit by Kris Bryant. After Cleveland Indians pitcher Bryan Shaw intentionally walked Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Almora scored the go-ahead 7th run for the Cubs off of a double by Ben Zobrist. The Cubs went on to win the game 8-7, earning their first World Series victory since 1908 thanks in part to Almora's baserunning skill.

Almora married former Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers dancer Krystal Gregorio on July 21, 2016. Their first child, a son named A.J., was born in August 2016.

Almora spent 2015 back with the Smokies where he batted .272 with six home runs and 46 RBIs in 106 games. He began 2016 with the Iowa Cubs. [1] At Iowa prior to being called up, he was batting .318 in 54 games.

On April 22, in an away game against the Colorado Rockies, Almora made three leaping catches in center field; in the first, second and ninth innings of the Cubs' 9–7 win. Almora finished his 2018 campaign batting .286 with five home runs and 41 RBIs in 152 games. He was the final out of the 2018 NL Wild Card Game against Colorado, struck out by Scott Oberg to end the 13 inning, 2–1 Rockies victory.

The Chicago Cubs selected Almora in the first round, with the sixth overall selection, in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft out of Mater Academy Charter School. He signed with the Cubs, receiving a $3.9 million signing bonus. MLB.com ranked Almora as the second best prospect in the Cubs organization in 2013, and the 39th ranked prospect in all of baseball.

Almora spent 2012 with both the AZL Cubs and Boise Hawks, batting .321 with two home runs and 19 RBIs in 33 games. He played for the Kane County Cougars in 2013. He had a .329 batting average in 61 games played, as he missed time due to injury. After the 2013 season, the Cubs assigned Almora to the Arizona Fall League to gain more experience. In 2014, he played for the Daytona Cubs and Tennessee Smokies where he slashed .270/.291/.392 with nine home runs and 60 RBIs in 125 games.

Almora attended Mater Academy Charter School in Hialeah Gardens, Florida. In 2011, Almora was named USA Baseball's athlete of the year after leading the 18 and under team to a 9–0 record and being named the tournament MVP. He played on six national teams while in high school, tying a record. He won the USA Baseball Richard W. "Dick" Case Player of the Year Award in 2011. He committed to play college baseball at the University of Miami.

Reinaldo Albert Almora Jr. (born April 16, 1994) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB).