The Chicago Cubs have recalled top outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara, optioning infielder Miles Mastrobuoni to the minors in a corresponding move, according to a team announcement. This marks Alcantara’s MLB debut, a significant milestone for the 22-year-old who was acquired by the Cubs at the 2021 trade deadline as part of the deal that sent Anthony Rizzo to the New York Yankees. While the other player in that trade, Alexander Vizcaino, is no longer in affiliated baseball, Alcantara has developed into a promising player on both sides of the ball, earning recognition as a consensus top-100 prospect. He currently ranks 60th on ESPN, 69th on MLB.com, and 77th on Baseball America.

Alcantara has shown consistent offensive prowess since joining the Cubs organization, with no minor league season seeing him post a wRC+ below 123. This year, in 111 games across Double-A and Triple-A, he’s slashed .278/.353/.428, with 14 home runs and 14 steals. His performance has been especially strong in Triple-A, where he’s hit .292/.378/.469 in 35 games. Despite his potential, one concern in Alcantara’s game is his high strikeout rate, which sits at 25.1% at Double-A and has increased to 29.1% at Triple-A. This is an area he will need to improve on to reach his full potential as a major league regular.

Defensively, Alcantara has earned praise for his strong glove, primarily in center field, though scouts also believe his arm would make him an excellent fit in right field. With Pete Crow-Armstrong now solidifying the Cubs’ center field position for the foreseeable future, Alcantara’s long-term role may be in one of the corner outfield spots. However, the Cubs’ current outfield is already crowded, with Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki locked into the corner positions through 2026.

Additionally, Cody Bellinger has shifted to right field since Crow-Armstrong’s promotion, and if he opts out of his contract and leaves in free agency, it could open up more opportunities for Alcantara. Yet, Bellinger’s return to free agency is uncertain, and the Cubs also have other prospects, like Owen Caissie, waiting for their chance. With so much depth in the outfield, the Cubs might consider trading some of their talent in the offseason to address other needs, though no-trade clauses for Happ and Suzuki could limit their options.