Don't expect this hot hitting Cubs top prospect to make the Opening Day roster

There was an important element to the Chicago Cubs starting lineup on Saturday. While Seiya Suzuki will likely be the primary designated hitter for the Cubs this season, he was starting in center field during the team's Cactus League victory over the Cleveland Guardians.

Suzuki being able to play center field could be a key component of the construction of the Cubs' Opening Day roster. The Cubs have utility players who can play in the outfield with Jon Berti, Gage Workman, and Vidal Bruján all able to play in the corner outfield spots. Bruján, however, would likely be only one of the three capable of playing in center field.

While the Cubs added defensive-minded outfielder Travis Jankowski as a non-roster invite, it would seem that he is facing an uphill climb toward making the Opening Day roster.

Suzuki handled center field well on Saturday and if the Cubs are comfortable enough with him as the backup to Pete Crow-Armstrong, that would go a long way toward the team's primary goal for the development of Kevin Alcántara this season.

Alcántara, one of MLB's top outfield prospects, had a brief stint at the Major League level with the Cubs during the final week of the 2024 season. Alcántara is also off to a hot start during Cactus League play with the Cubs this season, leading to speculation that he may find his way on the Opening Day roster.

The Cubs have a plan for Kevin Alcántara

The Cubs, however, aren't adjusting their plan for one of their top prospects. While highlighting the potential of Alcántara turning into a superstar at the Major League level, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reveals that the team plans for the young outfielder to play every day at Triple-A. The impression is that Alcántara, who is already on the 40-man roster, will be the first outfielder up from Triple-A in the event of an injury.

If nothing else, it's more confirmation that the 2025 season is about contending and not prospect development. When all is said and done, Alcántara could still have a valuable role on the roster, but that shouldn't be viewed as an expectation at this point.