On November 20, 2010, Almonte signed with the Kansas City Royals organization as an international free agent.[1] He made his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League Royals in 2011, posting a 5.40 ERA in 5 games. The following year, Almonte split the season between the DSL Royals and the Arizona League Royals, posting a cumulative 8-2 record and 1.75 ERA in 16 appearances. In 2013, he pitched for the World Team at the 2013 All-Star Futures Game.[2][3] He finished the 2013 season with a 3.10 earned run average and 132 strikeouts in 130+2⁄3 innings for the Single-A Lexington Legends. Although the Royals considered starting him in Double-A, he started the 2014 season with the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks.[4][5] In 23 games with Wilmington, Almonte recorded a 6-8 record and 4.49 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 110+1⁄3 innings of work. Almonte began the 2015 season with the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals before being promoted to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, logging a cumulative 6-6 record and 4.51 ERA.[6]
On September 1, 2015, Almonte was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[7] He made his MLB debut that day, allowing 2 earned runs in an inning of work against the Detroit Tigers. He finished his rookie season with a 6.23 ERA in 9 big league appearances. He spent the 2016 season in the minor leagues, recording a 5-8 record and 5.92 ERA in 32 games between Omaha and Northwest Arkansas. Almonte spent the majority of the 2017 in Double-A and Triple-A, and allowed 3 earned runs in 2.0 innings of work across 2 games for the Royals. Almonte was designated for assignment by Kansas City on April 2, 2018.[8][9]
Los Angeles Angels
On April 4, 2018, Almonte was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations.[10][11] In 8 relief appearances with the Angles, he was 0-0 with a 10.29 ERA and 7 strikeouts in 7 innings. Almonte also struggled in 25 appearances for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, registering a 10.18 ERA.[12] On January 20, 2019, Almonte was designated for assignment[13] and outrighted on January 26.[14] Almonte did not appear in a game for the Angels organization in 2019 and elected free agency on November 4.[15]
