The 30-year-old outfielder was once a top prospect in the Cubs system but has morphed into a defense-first high-contact-rate hitter at the MLB level. He didn’t play at all in 2023 but spent the last year at Triple-A in the Diamondbacks’ organization slashing .292/.349/.438 with nine homers and 20 steals in 576 plate appearances. He did post just a 14 percent strikeout rate, which means he still has elite contact skills along with his plus defense and that could enable him to push for the fourth outfield role in Miami this season.

The 29-year-old outfielder sat out the 2023 campaign after being released by the Reds following the conclusion of the 2022 season. He resurfaced in the Puerto Rican Winter League this year, where he slashed an underwhelming .216/.286/.284 with zero homers, 12 RBI and a 27/10 K/BB ratio over 148 plate appearances. Defense has always been his calling card, but the Diamondbacks are already flush with stellar defensive outfielders.

Almora needed to do something after hitting .236/.271/.381 last season, easily the worst line of his four-year big-league career. In his first game of the spring, he was noticeably more upright with less of an open stance. He also reduced his leg kick. It's too early to say whether or not the changes will help, but it gives at least some reason to believe he'll return to the more respectable numbers he posted early in his career.

This was Almora's first of three seasons as an arbitration-eligible player. He should once again serve as a part-time outfielder on the North Side.