The Cubs recalled top outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara to the active roster this afternoon and optioned infielder Miles Mastrobuoni to the minor leagues in a corresponding move. Alcantara’s first appearance in a game will be his big league debut.
The 22-year-old was first acquired by the Cubs at the trade deadline in 2021 as the headliner going back to Chicago in the deal that sent longtime first baseman Anthony Rizzo to the Yankees alongside right-hander Alexander Vizcaino. Since then, Vizcaino was released by the Cubs after just six games in the organization and is now out of affiliated ball. Fortunately, Alcantara has blossomed with the Cubs into an impressive player on both sides of the ball and even become a consensus top-100 prospect in the sport: the hulking, 6’6” outfielder ranks 60th at ESPN, 69th at MLB.com, and 77th at Baseball America as of each service’s most recent update.
The outfielder has never posted a wRC+ below 123 at any level of the minor leagues since donning a Cubs uniform for the first time, and though he’s not yet hit more than 15 homers or stolen 15 bases in a full season of minor league action to this point in his career scouts have routinely lauded his plus power and speed potential. In 111 games at the Double- and Triple-A levels this year, Alcantara has slashed a solid .278/.353/.428 with 14 homers and 14 steals, including a hot streak in 35 games at Triple-A that’s seen him hit .292/.378/.469 in his first 148 trips to the plate at the highest level of the minors.
One potential red flag in his profile is his tendency towards swing-and-miss: he’s struck out in 25.1% of his plate appearances at the Double-A level throughout his career, and so far in Triple-A that number has jumped up to 29.1%. It’s a flaw Alcantara will surely need to work on in order to reach his potential as an above-average regular in the majors, though his tools still leave plenty of room for optimism about his ceiling. He’s paired that exciting offensive potential with a strong glove that receives positive marks in center field, though scouts have long noted that his strong arm is more than enough for right field as well should he ultimately move to a corner.
With defensive standout Pete Crow-Armstrong having taken over center on a full-time basis in Chicago, it seems likely that right field would be Alcantara’s long-term defensive home in the majors in the event that he manages to work his way into a regular role with the club in the coming years. That may be easier said than done, however. After all, the club’s outfield mix is currently loaded with talent at the big league level with Crow-Armstrong set to patrol center at Wrigley for the next half decade and both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki locked into the outfield corners through at least the 2026 season. Cody Bellinger has been the club’s regular right fielder since Crow-Armstrong’s arrival, pushing Suzuki to DH and potentially opening a path for Alcantara to work his way into the outfield mix should Bellinger opt out of his contract and return to free agency this winter.
Bellinger opting out of his deal in Chicago is hardly a guarantee, however, and Michael Busch has seemingly locked down his other position of first base for the foreseeable future. Fellow top outfield prospect Owen Caissie is also at the Triple-A level and could debut as soon as next season, further adding to the logjam of outfield options in Chicago. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Cubs look to leverage their outfield depth in an offseason trade this winter to address other areas of the roster given the relative lack of opportunity available to Alcantara (and, for that matter, Caissie) at the big league level, particularly if Bellinger decides to opt in. Both Happ and Suzuki have no-trade clauses, however, somewhat limiting the club’s options to explore trades in that regard.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
I’ve been waiting to see this Kid since the Cubs got him for Anthony Rizzo. For anyone wondering. He’ll be wearing #13.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Happy to get rid of Mastro! Kevin is auditioning to be trade bait.
Dogbone
It’s starting to look more likely that Bellinger will find greener pastures (and more $$), in opting out this offseason. Some team like Washington could easily offer him $100M for 4 years – that would be beyond where the Cubs need to commit to – with their backload of options coming thru the system. Along with the complications of the NTC for Happ and Seiya.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
Belly has just proven that he isn’t an all star caliber player this year with the big decline, if he opts out he would expect a big contract he won’t get
I think he doesn’t opt out but gets traded
16
He doesn’t have to be an all-star or mvp to still be extremely valuable. His defense in CF, RF, 1B plus base running and hitting ability make him an attractive FA. He’s easily the top CF option available.
Unclemike1525
I just looked and can see 13 possible 40 man spots opening up:
1. Almonte- Injured and out for some of 25 anyway
2. Brewer
3. Hendricks
4. Herget (?)
5. Hollowell (?)
6. Parades the Pitcher (?)
7, Madrigal
8. Mastrobuoni
9. Mervis
10. Wisdom- Please God!
11. Davis
12. Tauchman
13. Bellinger (?) His choice but I’d move him if he stays if I could
Unfortunately Tauchman seems to have won over CC so that’s unlikely I guess.
I don’t know which of those P’s they really like if any or whether they want to stay or not so……..hence (?)
Almonte probably mises a good chunk of 25 so I really wouldn’t keep him
Alzolay is probably out for all of 25 so he won’t really count on the 40 man if he’s on the 60 day so no worries there.
All in all they shouldn’t have any 40 man problems.
mike127
Uncle—decent list…..two more automatics as of today:
Smyly
Wingenter
Davis, Almonte, Madrigal and Brewer are not on the 40 man so no need to have on your list.
That said 60 day IL guys have to be reinstated to the 40 man and can’t go back on the 60 day IL until spring training so you have to re-add:
Brown
Little
I’m with you and don’t reinstate Madrigal nor Brewer.
But I think I throw Almonte to the roster and coin flip Alzolay.
I disagree with you on Tauchmann—I don’t think CC has much use for him—he only really played when injury hit an outfielder—I like him on your list and expect him to go. And, to be fair, he’s been pretty good for two years.
I think Caissie, Scalzo,, Cowles all need to be added to stay away from Rule 5 vulnerablility.
Between us I think they can get to net 34-36 and have some roster flexibility.
Unclemike1525
Don’t know how I forgot Smyly. I think they like Wingenter but he can probably go into the (?) category. So yeah there’s more waste that can go than needs to be added. Plus there’s Bethancourt or whoever they get to be C2. I didn’t put everybody on it but Smyly was bad omission by me. Bad Uncle Mike.
Unclemike1525
If the poor kid goes 0- 4 games watch all the people go see, He’s not ready. It’s good to see them get somebody some MLB At Bats anyway.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
He probably won’t even get that many ABs Unc. Vazquez got the start on Monday and only had 2 ABs. As I’m you know he was replaced by Wisdom and Mastrobuoni. Wisdum K’d in his place and then Mastrobuoni played ss the rest of the game. Counsell really makes some questionable moves. Wasted two players in one move. Wouldn’t the more logical move be Mastrobuoni PH’s and stays in the game?
They say he’s a bust and Jed’s will option him back to Iowa.
Unclemike1525
He’s the only kid that’s really already on the 40 man and wouldn’t need a another move. getting rid of Mastrobuoni is a gift. i didn’t realize Alcantra was on the 40 man so kudos to Drascoo for pointing it out. Not sure who has to be added this December so 40 man spots might be like gold or not depending. I hope so if just to see the waste of spots go away.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
They should’ve just DFA’d Mastro, Wisdom and Smyly. Don’t even replace them. Be like Gene Hackman in Hooisers and go with a 4 man team and in this case it would a 25 man roster.
Unclemike1525
Should have done that in April.
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
He’s only here because both Suzuki and Busch got hurt. He is going to play most of next year at AAA and he is still young.
Still, I’d like to see both him and Vasquez get their first major league hits this week.
statefarm44
What a waste. Why bother bring him up now?
StudWinfield
He’s needs to be on the 40 this winter, minor league season over, give him a few games of major league experience, doesn’t burn an option and only going to consume 5 service days.
Tyler Norton
He already was on the 40 man
mlbnyyfan
Another failed Cashman trade along with Montas and Gallo. Can anyone think of 3 that were worse
StudWinfield
Yanks got good production from Rizzo in ’21 and ’22 for a lotto ticket who’s continued to develop well. Not to mention that Alcantara is still very raw and still won’t be any kind of an impact player 4 years later.
Unclemike1525
Stud-Winfield. He’s already on the 40 man which is why he got the nod over Caissie who is probably more deserving. People forget( I know I did) That when you sign INTL guys at 16 years old, All those years they spend in the lowest Minors still count towards service time. Which is why Cashman traded him in the 1st place as he needed the 40 man spot. He traded 2 40 man spots for 1 and actually gained a spot and a 1B. Thought it was a good move myself. Fans don’t always see the big picture.
JoeBrady
statefarm44
Why bother bring him up now?
==========================
Why not? He’s got okay minor league stats.
Unclemike1525
Exactly Joe. You bring the kid up to give four games in the Bigs, Give him some AB’s and let him see his name on the placard in front of his locker. Let him see what he’s playing for and maybe push him in his off season workouts to fix some of his flaws. That’s a No-Brainer. He’s here because he’s on the 40 man already and Canario and Davis are injured and Caissie hasn’t been added yet. It’s fairly simple. 4 games doesn’t start his clock or anything so why not?
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
This type of call up used to be much more common before the small market owners insisted on reducing the September rosters to 28. Alcantara will start 2025 in AAA and will probably spend most of the season there (like Owen Caissie this year) unless both Bellinger and Tauchman depart. Meanwhile, Caissie will be given every opportunity to win the 4th OF job in Spring Training.
Even with Brennan Davis injuring himself into oblivion and Alexander Canario profiling as a short side platoon OF for a rebuilding team, they have built a nice pipeline of outfield talent to eventually challenge Suzuki and Happ.
Unclemike1525
Alfonsin Rosario. Remember that name. Kid is the real deal.
DonOsbourne
The Cubs’ first priority this off-season should be offering Alcantara and maybe Caissie some form of no-trade protection. That’s what Hoyer does best and it would really help sort out the roster situation.
Bucket Number Six
Well, I guess that’s a little bit better trolling than themed coming in and saying “Duhhhh, Cubs 108 years, Cardinals 11 World Series titles”.
DonOsbourne
Oh, I see, only Cubs fans can rip on Hoyer. We don’t have those kinds of standards. Anyone who wants to take a shot at Mo is free to do so.
No offense intended. I just thought it was open season on failed executives.
Unclemike1525
LMAO Don. Unfortunately there aren’t enough Cub fans yet who see that Hoyer has failed. Look I don’t want him fired, I just want him to move up. He’s real good at building an Organization by how many Cub executives get poached and he just keeps finding quality replacements. He and Ricketts have built a great minor League system. Where he fails is at roster construction and….. I can’t say this enough….Negotiating salaries, Years and basic contracts. he needs to abandon that completely.
mike127
Uncle—please CLARIFY— “you don’t want him fired,…just want him to move up.”
Move up to WHERE?
He’s been the President of Baseball Ops for the last FOUR years. There is nowhere for him to go that is UP. He has the highest position (non owner) with the team.
Perhaps he should go back down to General Manager where he helped win a World Series???????
Help me understand your thought process of moving someone up that was very, very good at a different position (GM) for many years.
You say Hoyer has failed, but it’s OK to move him up to something that doesn’t even exist.
I need to understand where you expect him to be elevated to.
Unclemike1525
Assistant CEO to Ricketts. Whatever. I just want him to abandon anything to do with Roster Management, Salaries or Contracts. Maybe instead of move up I should have said ” Stay in his Freakin Lane” Or something. They really need a GM who can do that and I highly doubt Ole Carter is it.
JoeBrady
The Cubs recalled top outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara to the active roster this afternoon …. Alcantara’s first appearance in a game will be his big league debut.
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Wouldn’t that be “called up”? I only mention it because I was looking to see what he had done in his previous call-up.
StudWinfield
He was optioned in the spring so he’s being recalled from the optioning. I did realize he was on the 40 already this year.
jhanley108
An outfield loaded with talent? This team’s current roster sucks and hasn’t accomplished anything except for being over rated and over paid for almost 10 yrs. If the farm system is so strong start playing some of them. Terrible organization owned by a terrible family.
Unclemike1525
I didn’t realize the Whole Cubs Team came over to your house and took a dump in your Oatmeal. How’d it taste by the way?. I’m surprised a hater like you would waste his time on a post about such an Organization. So you just came out of your coma and………Looked in your oatmeal? LMAO
Bucket Number Six
The guy is an artist. The Cubs used to buy his art until the Ricketts came along. They figured out his art looked like he dumped in the oatmeal. Do you like how he added the corn for texture?
Unclemike1525
He came out of his coma, Saw crap in his oatmeal and his first thought was Ricketts did this. That’s some kind of ESP. LOL
Unclemike1525
They needed a OF and Davis and Canario are hurt. Fairly simple.
mike127
And with both Seiya and Busch hurt and unavailable, whether Alcantara was in the lineup or not last night, there is a minor twinge of professional responsibility to have a full roster when playing a team that is fighting for home field throughout the playoffs and there is an affect on other teams.
Cubs do have the right to play shorthanded and also could set a lineup of four backups but there is still a lot at stake for the Phillies/Dodgers/Padres at game time.
mad1
What time do counsels cubs play in round 1 of playoffs?