Yency Almonte: Showtime

Yency Almonte is a right-handed relief pitcher in the Dodgers organization that brings 124 innings of MLB experience to the Dodgers and a level of confidence and swag that is contagious. Almonte’s Social Media handle is “showtime” and when he pitches it’s just that, so let’s get to know one of the newest Dodgers, Yency “showtime” Almonte.

Background 

Almonte grew up in the Miami area where he was a multi-sport star at Christopher Columbus High School and was well known for his athletic ability and style. He earned the moniker of “showtime” for his ability to windmill dunk and his overall style on the basketball court whether it be in the local neighborhood, or on the hardwood of his High School gym. He also flashed a 93 mph fastball on the diamond as well as a High Schooler, and for his efforts, the big right-hander was drafted by the Angels in the 17th Round of the 2012 draft.

Almonte spent his short season in 2012 with the AZL Angels, then started 2013 there as well before being promoted to Rookie ball with Burlington in June of that year. The big Miami native spent 2014 in A ball with the Bees before being traded in the off-season to the White Sox and spent 2015 in their organization. After a full season in A ball in 2015, a year in which Almonte threw very well, he was traded again, however, after that season, this time to the Rockies in exchange for Tommy Kahnle. Almonte had been with the Rockies until the end of last year, when he was placed on waivers and eventually outrighted. The Miami native chose Free Agency and signed a Minor League contract with the Dodgers and has pitched exceptionally well since being picked up. The big right-hander has allowed just 1 earned run total in his 9 innings with the club combined between Spring Training and his 2 regular season performances.

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Upon entering the Dodgers, the organization presented the newly acquired relief pitcher with analytics that he had never seen nor considered previously, and Almonte started using a 2 seam with sink and locating it to the glove side 4 slot to mix with his changeup and ++ slider. He also has grown into a firm understanding that he is best when attacking the strike zone and getting ahead in the count.

Showtime

Almonte has always had the ability with the big fastball and the slider and great confidence, so entering into the most analytical organization in the game has been a match made in heaven so far. The Dodgers are taking all of his ability and refining it to be used in the most effective way so his future is exciting and will have my attention every time it’s “showtime”.