The Cubs recalled top outfield prospect to the active roster this afternoon and optioned infielder to the minor leagues in a corresponding move. Alcantaras first appearance in a game will be his big league debut. The 22-year-old was first acquired by the Cubs at the trade deadline in 2021 as the headliner going back to Chicago in the deal that sent longtime first baseman to the Yankees alongside right- Julio Urias Jersey hander . Since then, Vizcaino was released by the Cubs after just six games in the organization and is now out of affiliated ball. Fortunately, Alcantara has blo somed with the Cubs into an impre sive player on both sides of the ball and even become a consensus top-100 prospect in the sport: the hulking, 66 outfielder ranks 60th at , 69th at , and 77th at as of each services most recent update. The outfielder has never posted a wRC+ below 123 at any level of the minor leagues since donning a Cubs uniform for the first time, and though hes not yet hit more than 15 homers or stolen 15 bases in a full season of minor league action to this point in his career scouts have routinely lauded his plus power and speed potential. In 111 games at the Double- and Triple-A levels this year, Alcantara has slashed a solid .278/.353/.428 with 14 homers and 14 steals, including a hot streak in 35 games at Triple-A thats seen him hit .292/.378/.469 in his first 148 trips to the plate at the highest level of the minors. One potential red flag in his profile is his tendency towards swing-and-mi s: hes struck out in 25.1% of his plate appearances at the Double-A level throughout his career, and so far in Triple-A that number has jumped up to 29.1%. Its a flaw Alcantara will surely need to work on in order to reach his potential as an above-average regular in the majors, though his tools still leave plenty of room for optimism about his ceiling. Hes paired that exciting offensive potential with a strong glove that receives positive marks in center field, though scouts have long noted that his strong arm is more than enough for right field as well should he ultimately move to a corner. With defensive standout having taken over center on a full-time basis in Chicago, it seems likely that right field would be Alcantaras long-term defensive home in the majors in the event that he manages to work his way into a regular role with the club in the coming years. That may be easier said than done, however. After all, the clubs outfield mix is currently loaded with talent at the big league level with Crow-Armstrong set to patrol center at Wrigley for the next half decade and both and locked into the outfield corners through at least the 2026 season. has been the clubs regular right fielder since Crow-Armstrongs arrival, pushing Suzuki to DH and potentially opening a path for Alcantara to work his way into the outfield mix should Bellinger opt out of his contract and return to free agency this winter. Bellinger opting out of his deal in Chicago is hardly a guarantee, however, and has seemingly locked down his other position of first base for the foreseeable future. Fellow top outfield prospect is also at the Triple-A level and could debut as soon as next season, further adding to the logjam of outfield options in Chicago. It wouldnt be a surprise to see the Cubs look to leverage their outfield depth in an offseason trade this winter to addre s other areas of the roster given the relative lack of opportunity available to Alcantara (and, for that matter, Cai sie) at the big league level, particularly if Bellinger decides to opt in. Both Happ and Suzuki have no-trade clauses, however, somewhat limiting the clubs options to explore trades in that regard. Clayton Kershaw Jersey