The Chicago Cubs are looking to improve around the edges after having a big offseason. The team filled in a lot of questions surrounding the roster, but there are still some questions that remain as they head to spring training. One question is the outfield depth on the major league roster to be the fourth outfielder. There is one player who has a chance to make the roster for Opening Day who has been a minor leaguer with very little experience at the MLB level. Let’s take a closer look at who it is and what they have been doing statistically.
The Chicago Cubs could have Kevin Alcantara competing for a roster spot ahead of Opening Day
Feb 20, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kevin Alcantara against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
MLB’s Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis, and Sam Dykstra wrote an article discussing one prospect from each team who can make a run at an Opening Day roster spot. For the Cubs, they selected outfielder Kevin Alcantara. Below is what they wrote regarding his chances:
“The Cubs signed free-agent outfielders Tyler Austin, Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick this offseason while also claiming Justin Dean off waivers, lessening Alcántara’s chances of making the Opening Day roster. Part of the Anthony Rizzo trade with the Yankees in 2021, he comes with four solid-or-better tools (power, speed, arm, center-field defense) and slashed .266/.349/.470 with 17 homers and 10 steals in 102 Triple-A games.”
The current players who can play outfield on the projected roster are Seiya Suzuki, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Tyler Austin, Matt Shaw, and Chas McCormick. Alcantara appeared for a cup of coffee in the majors last year, playing in 10 games. He went 4-for-11 with one RBI, two runs scored, and one stolen base without being caught. It will be intriguing to see how the Cubs’ decision-makers view Alcantara heading into the 2026 season.
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