Chiсago Cubs Top 100 Proѕpeсts: No. 3

As we near the conclusion of the Cubs’ top 100 prospects entering 2023, let’s dive into budding star Kevin Alcantara at No. 3.

Welcome back to the 2023 Chicago Cubs top 100 prospects series. So far, we’ve reviewed prospects 100 through 51, 50-26, 25-11, and 10-4. It has been a lot of fun putting this project together and discussing the Cubs’ prospects with fellow fans, so thanks for interacting!

If you check out the first edition featuring prospects 100-51, you’ll find some essential information on what the grades mean and how the series will break down. While you’re at it, take a stroll through the rest of the rankings so far:

Prospects 50-26

Prospects 25-11

Prospects 10-4

Now, let’s get into the Cub’s third-best prospect by my rankings: Kevin Alcantara.

3. Kevin Alcantara, OF, 20, Low-A Myrtle Beach

Baseball-Reference

Kevin Alcantara has all the makings of a future All-Star if he hits his potential. Based on his first few professional seasons, it seems like he is well on his way.

The Cubs received Alcantara from the New York Yankees as part of the return for trading Anthony Rizzo their way in 2021. He was cruising along in the FCL with the Yankees’ rookie team before the move—slashing .370/.452/.519 in a small sample size of 31 plate appearances. When he joined the Cubs’ rookie team after the trade, he put up more of the same in 107 plate appearances, slashing .337/.415/.609 with an OPS of 1.024.

#cubs Kevin Alcántara at it again. HR's in back to back games. Since joining Cubs, his BA:.370, OBP:.438, SLG:.630, OPS:1.067 pic.twitter.com/mXMdix02Cp

— John Antonoff (@baseballinfocus) August 11, 2021

It was abundantly clear that the Cubs had a budding star in the making if they could nurture him right. When Alcantara came into 2022 with Low-A Myrtle Beach, the Cubs got all the more evidence that the 20-year-old is legit.

For the 2022 season with the Pelicans, Alcantara slashed .273/.360/.451 with 19 doubles, six triples, 15 home runs, and 85 RBIs. Despite playing in a home ballpark that is one of the worst places for offensive players who rely on power, Alcantara still posted an OPS of .811 and ranked eighth in the Carolina League in slugging.

If you only look at his performances on the road away from Myrtle Beach, Alcantara’s slash line was .306/.368/.508, which would have led the league in slugging. Pretty impressive for a 20-year-old who still has a lot of filling out to do.

Alcantara also swiped 14 bags during the 2022 season, getting caught just three times. As he continues to add muscle, it is fair to anticipate him losing a step, but he is just a fluid athlete. It would surprise me greatly if he ends up with a run grade under 50 during his prime. I wouldn’t expect him to be a frenzied base stealer as his profile will continue to lean toward power, but he’s someone who will likely flirt with double digits consistently for the better part of his career and make smart decisions on the basepaths.

KEVIN ALCANTARA MY OH MY pic.twitter.com/KrFq1l0eoI

— Steven (@GoCubs49) July 13, 2022

Defensively, Alcantara projects to be above average regardless of where he plays in the outfield. Likely, he could stick in centerfield long term. With his 6-foot-6 frame and added muscle to come, he likely projects better in right field or as a plus defender in left.

If you’ve read the previous installments of this series, you know that Cubs have an abundance of young talent in the outfield to move pieces around, which is a good problem to have. It also makes it helpful that Alcantara can easily handle all three spots.

Looking at Alcantara’s potential, it’s possible to imagine him developing into a true star at the MLB level. It will be interesting to see how he performs over the next couple of seasons as he progresses through the Cubs’ farm system. If, as seems to be the case, Alcantara continues to get stronger and can avoid striking out at a high percentage, he could skyrocket up national top-100 rankings everywhere. I’d put him as a top-40 prospect in all of baseball as it is, but I am a little biased.

Now, with the full transparency that MLB stat projections for a player who has only reached Low-A ball will be flawed, I can see a best-case ballpark for Alcantara as a .260-plus hitter who consistently reaches the high 20s and touches 30s with his home run numbers, gets on base at a .350+ clip, and slugs in the high-.400s to the .500s. That will play.

MLB ETA: 2025

Next up, we’ll dive into the Chicago Cubs’ second-best prospect. What’s your guess as to who it is? As always, If you see anything on this list you disagree or agree with, let me know on Twitter! I’d love to talk about it with you.