Kevin Alcantara’s successes may cause a dilemma for the Cubs

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kevin Alcantara continues to bang on the door of the big leagues after putting together a strong first month in the minor leagues. Through 21 games in April, “The Jaguar” hit .220 with a .828 OPS, seven home runs and 16 RBI. 

Alcantara’s strong start is a continuation of a strong spring training, where his hot bat didn't win him a spot on the Cubs' Opening Day roster. In 13 games, the 23-year-old batted .275 with a .726 OPS and hit a home run. Overall, Alcantara is hitting .250 with a .975 OPS and 12 home runs, which leads Minor League Baseball. 

Alcantara is also riding an eight-game hitting streak and a three-game home run streak, and has collected 10 RBI. However, when there's good, there's the bad, as Alcantara has compiled 12 strikeouts during both streaks. 

The Cubs need to figure out what to do with Kevin Alcantara

This season marked the second time in his career that Alcantara had been optioned to the minor leagues and he has one remaining, per FanGraphs. Alcantara has 13 games in the big leagues under his belt, making his debut against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 25, 2024, where he collected his first big league hit. 

A primary center fielder (12 games this season), Alcantara has seen playing time in left field (seven games) and right field (eight games). Currently, Alcantara has no spot in the Cubs outfield, with four-time Gold Glove winner Ian Happ occupying left field, 2025 Gold Glove winner Pete Crow-Armstrong manning center field and slugger Seiya Suzuki in right field. 

The Cubs' fourth outfielder, Michael Conforto, has also done well this season, hitting .300 with a .854 OPS in 30 at-bats. Infielder Nicky Lopez is the “26th man” on the roster, which could create a spot for Alcantara to join the team. 

Infielder/outfielder Matt Shaw has shown his versatility this season by playing everywhere. Shaw’s versatility defensively and offensive production (.278/.786) would possibly make moving on from Lopez easier and give manager Craig Counsell a right-handed power bat and speedster off the bench. 

Happ is having one of the best seasons of his career, hitting .248 with a .893 OPS, with Suzuki also performing well, hitting .308 with a .928 OPS and five home runs. Both Happ and Suzuki are free agents after this season; their continued success could pave the way for Alcantara to get consistent playing time, as their price tag will continue to rise. 

The Cubs are unlikely to pay both, as they dished out two lucrative extensions already to Crow-Armstrong (six years, $115 million) and second baseman Nico Hoerner (six years, $141 million). Blocked until next season or injury, Alcantara could be a candidate to be traded to bring in another young starting pitcher or bullpen help. The Cubs' starting rotation is an arm short after right-hander Cade Horton had Tommy John surgery. 

However, Alcantara may have to spend this season grinding away in the minor leagues, as he is now their best outfield prospect after trading away outfielder Owen Caissie to the Miami Marlins for right-hander Edward Cabrera.