Cubs call up INF/OF prospect Triantos, option Alcántara

The Cubs have tried a few things with their bench configuration while super sub Matt Shaw has remained on the injured list due to a sprained left hand. Prospect James Triantos will be the latest player given a chance to pitch in for the North Siders.

The Cubs promoted Triantos from Triple-A Iowa on Friday ahead of this weekend’s road series against the Pirates for what would be his Major League debut. In a corresponding move, outfielder Kevin Alcántara was optioned to Iowa.

Shaw has been sidelined all month due to the sprained wrist/hand and was still feeling discomfort when he attempted to swing a bat around the All-Star break. Cubs manager Craig Counsell noted on Tuesday that recent images on Shaw’s hand showed “significant healing,” but the utility man was headed to the team’s Arizona complex to continue his rehab.

Counsell said Friday that Shaw won’t be back at the end of the month as originally hoped, as he still has inflammation in his wrist and won’t return until after the Trade Deadline on Aug. 3.

Pedro Ramírez, who has been with Chicago since late May, has done a solid job at offering a backup option for second and third base (similar to Shaw). Shaw also doubled as a backup outfielder this year, so Alcántara had recently been used as protection behind all three of Chicago’s starting outfielders.

Triantos is not expected to play regularly, but Counsell said he will play some at second base, third base and left field.

“There’s not a lot of playing time for this spot,” Counsell said. “And that's going to be kind of the same situation for James here. We'll kind of see what happens in this stretch of no off-days coming up.”

So, why would the Cubs call Triantos up and have him primarily sit on the bench? The Cubs have their reasons.

“James has had a really good year, and I think this is a good introduction to the big leagues for him,” Counsell said. “I think the thing to remember about James is he's another young player. He's 23 years old, second year in Triple-A. Definitely made a big jump this year in terms of his offensive production in Triple-A.”

While a return before the end of the month has not been ruled out for Shaw, his comeback could linger into August given the amount of time he has missed at this point.

The 23-year-old Triantos (MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 Cubs prospect) was a second-round pick by Chicago in the 2021 Draft. He has mostly played second and third base throughout his climb through the Minors, but Triantos has also been used in all three outfield spots. This year with Iowa, he manned all three again, including nine games in center field.

Offensively, Triantos is known for his contact ability and low strikeout rate. In 88 games this season with Triple-A Iowa, he has posted a .306/.344/.440 slash line to go along with seven homers, 24 doubles, 52 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Triantos currently has a 11.6% strikeout rate, with 44 strikeouts in 378 plate appearances.

Given the timing of this move, it is also worth noting that the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline is approaching.

The Cubs are on the hunt for pitching via trade to help the rotation or bullpen, or potentially both. If Chicago wants to avoid dealing from the very top of its Pipeline rankings, there are still intriguing prospects for other teams to consider. That could include Alcántara and Triantos, among others from within the farm system.