Cubs' No. 6 prospect Alcántara shows off speed in MLB debut

PHILADELPHIA -- The Cubs had been weighing the value of bringing outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara up to the big leagues for the last handful of games this season. What Chicago did not want to do was promote the talented outfielder just to occupy a spot on the bench.

With right fielder Seiya Suzuki dealing with a sprained right ankle, the Cubs saw an opportunity to give Alcántara some on-field experience to close out this season. Prior to Wednesday’s 9-6 loss to the Phillies, the North Siders recalled Alcántara (Pipeline’s No. 6 Cubs prospect and the No. 69-ranked prospect overall) from Triple-A Iowa.

“He finished strong,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. “It looks like there’s playing time, so it made sense to do it.”

? To return or not to return -- that is up to Bellinger

Suzuki is not necessarily done for the season, but his ankle injury -- sustained in Tuesday’s 10-4 win over the Phillies -- was enough to keep him out of Wednesday’s lineup. First baseman Michael Busch also remained out with a right triceps contusion, so Cody Bellinger moved from right field to first.

Alcántara was given the No. 13 jersey, along with the starting nod in right field and in the lineup’s ninth slot for his Major League debut on Wednesday night. In order to clear a spot on the active roster for the prospect, the Cubs optioned Miles Mastrobuoni to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Alcántara finished his debut 1-for-4, reaching on an infield single in the ninth inning for his first career hit. The rookie chopped a pitch from Carlos Estévez to third baseman Kody Clemens and hustled to first. Clemens did not even attempt a throw.

“I was running so fast,” Alcántara said with a smile. “I made a hit and I feel so awesome. I’m so grateful for them giving me the opportunity to be here.”

The Cubs also could have called up outfield prospect Owen Caissie, who is ranked No. 3 on Pipeline’s list for Chicago and No. 33 on the Top 100 rankings. The decision tilted Alcántara’s way due to his being on the 40-man roster already. Even though Caissie will need to be added to the 40-man this offseason for Rule 5 Draft protection, going with Alcántara gives the team some flexibility for potential moves in the season’s final few days.

And even if it’s just a small taste of The Show, Hoyer believes there is value in it for Alcántara.

“You’ve gotten your debut out of the way. You experience it,” Hoyer said. “Maybe it motivates you going into the offseason. Maybe next year when you’re up, you have a little less butterflies, you have a little more understanding of what it’s all about. And that’s what we talked about. What would this experience do for him, if he’s coming up next year to help us at some point?”

Alcántara -- one of the players acquired from the Yankees as part of the Anthony Rizzo trade at the 2021 Deadline -- hit .278/.353/.428 with 14 home runs, 21 doubles, 61 RBIs, 14 steals and 61 runs in 111 games between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa this season. He hit .292 with an .847 OPS in 35 games down the stretch with Iowa.

After starting the season with an 0-for-26 showing for Tennessee, Alcántara then hit at a .457 (16-for-35) clip in his next eight games and was off and running. He played mostly center field this season, but also has the ability to move to either corner outfield spot.

“He had a really good year,” Hoyer said. “He rebounded really well in Tennessee. He played well in Iowa. I think he’s had a good season. I think also with him, you have to look at all of it -- his whole game. He’s a really good defender wherever you put him. He’s a really good all-around player.

“I think he had a really good year, and it’s nice to give him a little taste of it at the end of the year.”

Alcántara said he was surprised when he received the phone call from assistant general manager Jared Banner, who told him he was heading to the Majors. The prospect was playing video games when his phone rang. Soon enough, he was on the field in Philadelphia.

“I feel really chill because I’m with my family,” said Alcántara, referring to his teammates. “I’ve been working with these guys since Spring Training. I feel very comfortable right here. I don’t have a lot of pressure. The fans, the field, the stadium, it’s awesome, but I don’t feel too much pressure.”