Bio: Almonte, 22, was signed out of the Dominican Republic on July 2, 2005, as a 16-year-old. He's spent five seasons touring the lower rungs of the Yankees system, culling together a .261/.339/.387 line in the process. An outfielder now, he spent the first two seasons of his career primarily as a second baseman before switching to the outfield full time in 2008. 

Last year: After one half of last year with Tampa, Almonte was hitting .217/.299/.286  and things were looking pretty bleak for him as a prospect. Then things turned around, with a lot of help from a 36-game hitting streak, which lasted from July 26 until the first game a doubleheader on the season's penultimate day.

During the streak, Almonte compiled a .342 average, a .384 on-base percentage and a .486 slugging percentage. He hit eight doubles, five triples and a home run, and stole 10 bases in 13 tries. All this led to him finishing the second half with a 317/.367/478 line. An impressive comeback, to be sure. 

What's Next: It all depends on what happens with Melky Mesa. If he moves to Scranton, Almonte will probably wind up as Trenton's starting center fielder. If Mesa stays in Trenton, Almonte could wind up in a corner in Tampa, pushed there by Slade Heathcott.