Cassie, Alcantara, and Triantos are #3,4,6 prospects in BA ACL rankings:
3. Owen Caissie, OF, Cubs
Drafted by the Padres in 2020 and traded to the Cubs that offseason as part of the return for Yu Darvish, Caissie made a loud statement as one of the best hitters in Arizona before a late-August promotion to Low-A Myrtle Beach.
Caissie stands out for his approach at the plate, with feel to hit, a compact bat path and ability to use the whole field. He can hit breaking pitches and projects to have plus power.
”The way he can go oppo with damage is super impressive for his young age,” Cubs manager Lance Rymel said, “and he has a great baseball mind. He loves the game. No one will work harder.”
Caissie is an average runner with an average arm, projecting to be able to handle either corner outfield position.
4. Kevin Alcantara, OF, Cubs
Alcantara began the season in the Florida Complex League as a member of the Yankees organization but joined the Cubs at the trade deadline when Chicago traded Anthony Rizzo to New York. The lean, lanky Alcantara joined the Cubs and quickly posted an outstanding 1.024 OPS in 34 games.
Alcantara projects to be a total package of tools and performance, with the ceiling of an all-star-caliber center fielder. His swing is balanced and works well despite his long limbs, and he should add more power to what already grades as plus when he fills out his frame. With instincts and confidence in the field Alcantara could become a plus defender with a plus arm, giving him a good chance to stay in the middle of the outfield.
“He’s young and he’s got to keep learning and playing the game,” said Cubs manager Lance Rymel. “You see the tools that he has, and everything will iron itself out when he starts playing more.”
6. James Triantos, SS/2B, Cubs
The Cubs selected Triantos in the second round and went over slot to sign him for $2.1 million. The Virginia high school product looked overmatched in his first couple of ACL games but quickly adjusted to the speed of the game, showing off his plus bat with a strong swing capable of driving balls to all fields with average to above-average power. Triantos saved the best for last, posting a 1.199 OPS in September with a two-homer game in the season finale.
Scouts observed that defensively the game still got too fast for Triantos, questioning whether he will be better suited to second base or third base rather than shortstop, but he’s athletic enough to improve as his career progresses. He showed average speed in his first pro season. Triantos’ makeup is solid, and he projects as a prospect who will play above his tools as he progresses through the system.