Cubs’ James Triantos Executes His Plan In The AFL
Second baseman James Triantos enters 2024 with momentum after a dominant offensive showing in the Arizona Fall League.
The 21-year-old earned the AFL’s offensive player of the year honor after hitting .417 with 11 extra-base hits in 22 games while finishing second with a 1.174 OPS.
The experience built off a 2023 campaign that ended with a late-season promotion to Double-A Tennessee where Triantos was part of the Smokies’ title run as the Southern League champions.
“It was really just keeping it as simple as possible and staying confident in my plan going up to the box, being able to execute it,” Triantos said of carrying his regular season success to the AFL.
“And the more I’m able to execute my plan consistently, the better things are going to be.”
Drafted by the Cubs out of high school in Virginia in the second round in 2021, Triantos embarks on his fourth pro season having hit .285/.363/.390 in 80 games at High-A South Bend in 2023.
His 9.7% walk rate and 10.6% strikeout rate were marked improvements on his performance at Low-A Myrtle Beach the year before. With those improvements came fewer ground balls and more fly balls.
Triantos has spent his offseason trying to get bigger, faster and stronger as he looks to become a better baserunner and defender in 2024.
“Being surrounded by all these guys who are really good at the game and know how to go about their business has been great for me because I’m surrounded by professionals,” Triantos said. “These guys are the best of the best and I’m learning from them every single day.
“So why would I not take as much advantage of it? I feel like they’ve helped me a ton. I’ve learned a lot about myself just going through the ups and downs of playing every single day.”
