You can really see how slow he is in that video. I'd guess a high fly with lots of hang-time like that, a lot of center fielders with speed might just run under it and catch that one in stride without being full-extension and falling down at the end. Nice catch, though.
I think it is important to remember that Almora isn't slow for a major league player. He is on the slower end for a CF, but routes and getting the correct jump can make up for that. Very true, CUBluejays, re routes vs speed...both are great, but instincts/route to the ball are way more important than speed in CF and everyone agrees {Almoa} takes great routes..Outfield defense on the major league team hasn't been very good this year, especially lately. It's part of why I'm still very interested in Almora.
...if Almora can hit enough, he can stabilize the OF defensively with plus play in CF, despite his lack of speed.
Agree on all points. Almora is slow only relative to the exceptional standard of big-league center fielders, not relative to major leaguers as a whole. and CF speed is less important than jumps/instincts/routes, such that Almora can be a asset defensively despite being slow.
I just thought that video, involving a high long-hang-time lots-of-time-to-run-under-it high fly, kind of showcased his lack of straight-away speed.
I expect he'll be good, and lots better than Szczur or Denorfia or Fowler, by a long shot. I just don't think he'll be fast enough to be really a top-end guy, since top-end CFers combine jumps/instinct/routes AND speed besides.
I do wonder whether perhaps CF speed isn't getting to be one of those things that sophisticates don't talk about any more. Batting average, K's, outfield speed, sophisticates don't talk about those, that's left more for 5th grade simpletons. But I think there may be some balls that get caught by guys who both get good jumps/run good routes AND can just run fast, that Almora may be unable to reach. May keep him out of the 99th percentile.