Given the success of other Cubs prospects, it might be easy to see Albert Almora as something of a disappointment.
Since Almora was taken as the first Draft pick of the Theo Epstein era (sixth overall in 2012), he has watched 2013 and 2014 first-round picks Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber shoot up through the system and the two sluggers are now starring for the big-league team.
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But both Bryant and Schwarber were polished college bats and Almora - who was drafted out of high school - just turned 21 in April and re-entered the Double-A Tennessee lineup last week after a stint playing for Team USA in the Pan Am Games.
"It was an honor and a priviledge to put that jersey on," Almora told Tennessee Smokies broadcaster Mick Gillispie last week. "I had a lot of fun with them and met a lot of great guys and great teammates.
"I'm happy to be back. That was a great experience, but I'm ready to get back to the season."
Almora helped Team USA to the silver medal, falling to Canada in an extra-inning thriller in the Gold Medal Game.
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Almora is struggling this season, hitting just .243 with a .286 on-base percentage and .645 OPS in 69 games in Double-A. The centerfielder has four homers and four stolen bases to go with 16 walks and 31 strikeouts.
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He was rated as the No. 38 prospect in the game by Baseball Prospectus prior to the 2015 season and hopes his experience with Team USA can help him get his season back on track.
"I would think so. It was different playing for that," Almora told Gillispie. "It was just more - I don't know - it was a different mentality playing for that team.
"I'm gonna bring that back and keep that mentality going here and hopefully that helps change the way we're going."