It’s not quite yet the avalanche of approaching prospects, but it’s still a pretty big deal.
Chicago Cubs prospect Arismendy Alcantara, recently ranked the 18th best in the game by Baseball Prospectus, will be joining the big league team for two days, according to Jesse Rogers, who has been down in Iowa. The limited stay is because Alcantara is replacing Darwin Barney while he’s out on paternity leave. It sounds like the call-up will absolutely be limited to those two days, but it’ll give Alcantara a little taste of what’s to come.
(Aside: I’m assuming this is for today and tomorrow, which stinks, because I’ll be at Friday’s game at Wrigley. Would’ve been very cool to see him make his Wrigley Field debut. I’m sure the business side wouldn’t have minded it, either.)
Alcantara, 22, has met the challenge of AAA with great aplomb. He’s hitting .307/.353/.537, and has been particularly hot of late. More importantly, he seems to be taking more walks and striking out less, indicating that he’s adjusted to the advanced pitching getting a feel for him. Of late, Alcantara has been playing more in the outfield, which is where he might have to try and carve out a long-term role with the Cubs. For now, though, you’d think he’ll get a shot to start at second base.
Alcantara is already on the 40-man roster, which makes his call-up all more easy, by the way.
This is neat. Also neat: congrats to the Barneys on the birth of their third child.