CHICAGO – Kevin Alcántara has made the trip to Wrigley Field twice previously, but both of those promotions came in September. The outfield prospect got to check off some firsts as a big leaguer, learned the ropes and experienced a late-season playoff push.
On Saturday morning, Alcántara was back at the Friendly Confines as part of the Cubs’ latest effort to enhance the position-player group. The 23-year-old outfielder was recalled from Triple-A Iowa, while veteran utility man Nicky Lopez was designated for assignment.
Alcántara understands that his role on a veteran-laden roster is to wait his turn and embrace the moment when it arrives for him.
“For me, it’s just help in whatever is necessary,” Alcántara said via team translator Fredy Quevedo Jr., “whether it’s on the field or even just personal, anything in the clubhouse. Literally, to be able to wait for an opportunity and help and contribute in any way possible. We’re all a team, so we’re all here to support each other and collaborate.”
The move to promote Alcántara (Pipeline’s No. 5-ranked Cubs prospect) from Iowa comes a day after Chicago also called up infielder Pedro Ramírez (No. 2 on the Cubs’ Top 30 list and No. 85 on the Top 100). Ramírez’s promotion was to fill in for Matt Shaw, who landed on the injured list with a back issue.
While Ramírez offers a switch-hitter who can play second and third base (and perhaps left field in a pinch), Alcántara brings a right-handed hitter who can handle all three outfield positions. They give manager Craig Counsell two more bench pieces to consider for in-game maneuvering, or for offering rest days for regulars (whether fully or via the designated hitter slot).
Ramírez and Alcántara certainly hit their way onto the Cubs’ radar for this moment.
In 43 games for Iowa, Ramírez has hit at a .312 clip with nine homers, 11 doubles, 40 RBIs, 19 stolen bases and 34 runs scored. He had a .395 on-base percentage and .547 slugging percentage, equating to a .942 OPS. Alcántara has turned in a .242/.339/.567 slash line with 15 homers, six doubles, 32 RBIs and 27 runs in 41 games at Triple-A.
COMPLETE CUBS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Both players have seen an uptick in power this season. For Alcántara, he said it has all come down to a mentality in the batter’s box.
“See the ball and hit it hard,” Alcántara said. “That’s what my mindset was.”
And while this trip to Chicago is not new for Alcántara, he was excited to see Ramírez start to check away at his own list of firsts in the big leagues.
“It’s great,” Alcántara said. “I talked to him a lot in Triple-A, just to be able to give him any advice to be able to get up here. He’s going to do really well. He’s a kid that always listens and a kid that’s always learning. The first time he gets to play here, I think it’s going to go well.”