Number 11
James Triantos 2B/3B
Age: 20 Years Old
Level: A+ South Bend Cubs
Joined the organization via: 2nd Round Pick in 2021 MLB Draft
2023 Stats: .289/.381/.397 2 HR, 9 2B, 1 3B, 6 SB, 20 RBI, 22 R 19/18 BB/K
James Triantos had an incredible rookie season. He hit for average, he hit for power and he looked like a solid defender, making the Cubs look brilliant for signing him to a massive overslot deal in the 2021 draft. Last season in full-season ball the average dipped, but the power tanked as he only hit one more home run (7) in nearly 400 more plate appearances. This season the power has remained elusive but the guy just doesn’t strike out.
In 181 plate appearances he has 18 strikeouts and 19 walks. Having a guy that walks more often than he strikes out is relatively rare at the college level where pitchers have little command of their stuff, but to do it at the High-A level is extremely impressive.
He’ll be 20 for the remainder of the season, and you’d like to see him fully dominate High-A for the remainder of the season and start his age-21 season at AA. If he stays on that trajectory he could profile to be another soft-hitting middle infielder in Wrigley by the 2025 season and with that command of the batter’s box I’d be happy with it. That being said, if he could find the power he had in high school and his first season with the Cubs by the time he gets to the majors, that would be even better.