Arismendy Alcantara

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #7 prospect in 2014
  Alcantara has the longest tenure in the organization of any of the system's Top 10 Prospects, and holdovers and newcomers alike admire his combination of aptitude and athleticism, which began to come together in 2012 and resulted in a 2013 Futures Game spot. Alcantara played shortstop in the first half for Double-A Tennessee, then moved to second base in deference to Javier Baez. He has a plus arm that plays at short but is a true weapon at second base, especially when it comes to turning the double play. His hands are a bit hard and fit better at second, where he has above-average potential. A plus runner with first-step quickness, Alcantara is an adept basestealer, and an improved approach at the plate helped him triple his walk rate, meaning more chances to steal. Deeper counts meant more strikeouts but also more hitter's counts, unleashing the solid-average power in Alcantara's short, compact swing. He ranked second in the Southern League in doubles and extra-base hits (55). With all the Cubs' infield options, Alcantara may be the most versatile piece. He'd fit as a super-utility player and has the tools to play center field well. He played second base for Licey in the Dominican League and heads to Triple-A for 2014 to consolidate the gains made last season.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #10 prospect in 2013
  Alcantara finally started to translate his intriguing tools into on-field performance in 2012, but his season came to a premature end when he broke a bone in his foot on July 11. Before he got hurt, he already had set career highs in most offensive categories and earned recognition from managers as the best infield arm in the high Class A Florida State League. He returned to play with Licey in the Dominican League. Alcantara is a live-bodied switch-hitter who can hit for average and provide solid power for a middle infielder from both sides of the plate. His further offensive development will be tied to improved selectivity at the plate, as he still gives away at-bats at times. He has plus speed and knows how to use it, stealing 25 bases in 29 tries in 2012. Alcantara has the quickness, range and arm strength to make all the plays at shortstop. But he loses focus at times and makes too many off-target throws, leading to 30 errors in 71 games at short last year. The game may just be too fast for him there, so he might be better off at second base. Scouts throw some Jimmy Rollins comparisons on Alcantara, though at the same point of his career, Rollins already had reached Triple-A. Alcantara will seek better health and consistency when he advances to Double-A in 2013.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #10 prospect in 2014
  Never the top dog in an Iowa lineup that at one point included Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, Alcantara quietly had a strong season prior to his callup to Chicago in early July. Shifted off shortstop and over to second base in favor of Baez, he ultimately ended up calling center field his primary position in Chicago. Alcantara has more power than his frame would suggest, and he knocked 46 extra-base hits at Iowa this season, leading the league in triples. He runs well, steals his share of bases and makes smart baserunning decisions. Solid feel for the strike zone combined with above-average speed could make him a big league table-setter with at least fringe-average power. "I liked his wrist action," a rival PCL manager said."I liked his athleticism and his versatility." Scouts believe Alcantara could handle shortstop or second base in the majors if pressed, but his long, unconventional arm stroke might fit best in the outfield.
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  Ranked Southern League #9 prospect in 2013
  Alcantara packs surprising pop, efficient base thievery and strong defensive instincts into a smallish 5-foot-10 frame, eliciting comparisons from multiple scouts to a watered-down version of Jose Reyes. SL managers bestowed best infield arm honors on Alcantara and his 60 cannon, and while he could play a passable major league shortstop, most scouts like him at second base, where timing issues with regard to footwork and hands won?t hamper him to the same extent. The switch-hitting Alcantara hits for more power from the left side but makes use of a slashing approach with a short stroke from both sides of the plate. He ranked second in the SL with 36 doubles and 55 extra-base hits, showing a good blend of gap power and plus speed required to carry over those long hits to the big leagues. He could probably go deep a dozen times at his peak, while hitting about .275 with a modest on-base percentage. Much of Alcantara?s value will come from his defensive versatility and his legs, for he?s an accomplished baserunner who has been caught just 10 times in 66 steal attempts the past two seasons.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #100 prospect in 2014

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Alcantara finally started to translate his intriguing tools into on-field performance in 2012, but his season came to a premature end when he broke a bone in his foot on July 11. Before he got hurt, he already had set career highs in most offensive categories and earned recognition from managers as the best infield arm in the high Class A Florida State League. He returned to play with Licey in the Dominican League. Scouting Report: Alcantara is a live-bodied switch-hitter who can hit for average and provide solid power for a middle infielder from both sides of the plate. His further offensive development will be tied to improved selectivity at the plate, as he still gives away at-bats at times. He has plus speed and knows how to use it, stealing 25 bases in 29 tries in 2012. Alcantara has the quickness, range and arm strength to make all the plays at shortstop. But he loses focus at times and makes too many off-target throws, leading to 30 errors in 71 games at short last year. The game may just be too fast for him there, so he might be better off at second base. The Future: Scouts throw some Jimmy Rollins comparisons on Alcantara, though at the same point of his career, Rollins already had reached Triple-A. Alcantara will seek better health and consistency when he advances to Double-A in 2013.