Latest Chicago Cubs roster move suggests future is now with Kevin Alcantara promotion

Jordan Campbell

2024 Chicago Cubs Spring Training / Matt Dirksen/GettyImages

The Chicago Cubs are adding some excitement to their closing games of the 2024 Major League Baseball regular season.

When the Cubs were eliminated from postseason contention last weekend, there was speculation that the team may use the final week of games to get a look at one of their top prospects. With Matt Shaw, Moises Ballestero, Owen Caissie, and Kevin Alcántara all having wrapped their seasons in Triple-A Iowa, they all were available for a quick look at the Major League level before the season concludes on Sunday.

Despite an initial belief that the Cubs would not be promoting any of their top prospects this week, the team shifted their thought process. Prior to their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, the Cubs have promoted Alcántara from Triple-A Iowa while optioning Miles Mastrobuoni.

Cubs roster move:

OF Kevin Alcántara has been called up and IF Miles Mastrobuoni optioned.

Alcántara, the Cubs’ #6 prospect, earns first MLB promotion.

In 35 games at Triple A, his first taste of that level, Alcántara, 22, hit .292 with a .378 OBP and .848 OPS.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) September 25, 2024

Cubs fans will get a glimpse at the future with Kevin Alcántara's promotion.

Alcántara will finish the season as the Cubs' sixth-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Alcántara was promoted to Triple-A Iowa for his final 35 games this season, posting a slash line of .292/.378/.469 with a wRC+ of 123.

For those wondering why it was Alcántara to get the promotion and not Owen Caissie, Alcántara is already on the 40-man roster. Having said that, the Cubs will need to add Caissie to the 40-man roster prior to the Rule 5 draft in December.

Promoting one of their top prospects to the Major League level at the end of the season was a no-brainer move for the Cubs. For as much as Mike Tauchman has become a folk hero for his role on the Cubs over the last two seasons, there wasn't a reason for him to be getting plate appearances over a prospect like Alcántara. Alcántara figures to be an important piece to the Cubs' roster in 2025, a season where they will need to return to the postseason, or front office changes may be inevitable.

Jordan Campbell

For nearly 15 years, Jordan has been a workhorse across the FanSided network - including being the inaugural site expert for Cubbies Crib, as well as a stop at Da Windy City as the site expert. In addition to returning to be a Co-Site Expert at Cubbies Crib, Jordan was previously the Site Expert at Bear Goggles On. In the years since, Jordan has joined FanSided's full-time team, serving as a staff writer for the MLB division. Jordan's work can be seen across the MLB division, including a consistent presence on our Cubs, Twins, Astros, and Tigers sites. Since 2010, Jordan has dedicated his craft to providing insightful commentary on all things Chicago sports, and he has enjoyed his venture into all things Major League Baseball.