Albert before the Major League Baseball Draft...
Albert Almora, star center fielder for his High school Matter academy, began playing baseball as soon as he was able to hold up a bat. “Since I was little I had baseball in my veins,” said Albert. His father, Arturo Almora, played baseball and has been a driving force in Albert’s baseball success.
Albert was born with amazing talent, a talent that has been cultivated throughout the years. This 17 year old 6’2, 175 pound, was born to play one sport and one sport well… Baseball.
When you see Almora on the field, it’s inevitable to overlook his talent. With Almoras powerhouse swing and amazing speed, it’s no wonder why other players second- guess themselves when facing him. His cat like reflexes, in center field, has earned him the respect of many coaches and players.
“My favorite thing is being in the outfield, catching a fly ball and knowing the coach is going to hold the runner. I know he won’t let him run on me, that is a sign of respect and I’ve worked a lot for it, so I’m Happy about that. “
In this 2011-2012 season Albert already has a batting an average of .476
This year couldn’t have started off any better for Albert, with over 24 colleges visiting him for potential baseball scholarships, he decided to sign with the prestigious University of Miami, making one of his childhood dreams a reality.
“He always wanted to play for the University of Miami, and honestly we are very lucky to have him stay close where we can still be his number one fans going to all his games, “ said his mother, and number 1 fan, Ana Almora.
Almora is currently ranked and being ranked top 10 in the nation among high school seniors by baseball America, he was off to an excellent senior year start. This year he was invited to participate as part of the USA team during the Pan American games in Columbia where he led Team USA 18-under squad to a gold medal at the Pan American Championships, this past November in Colombia November. Almora returned home with a gold medal and the MVP trophy as well as the USA player of the year. But triumph soon turned into tragedy for Albert Almora. When Albert returned home from his trip to Columbia, his grandmother Tomasa Sosa, 88, had passed away a day after he left to Columbia, and grandfather Juan Sosa, 94, died the day before Albert returned home.
“I got home and went to say hi to them, realized the bed wasn’t made and asked for my grandmother and my grandfather, since they live with us. That’s when I found out they had both passed away. It’s been real hard, but I know they are with me.” This has been a difficult obstacle to surpass, but Albert works hard every day to make sure they are smiling down on all his achievements.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/05/2833145/mater-academys-albert-almora-goes.html