'Hungry' Alcántara hoping to pounce on big league prey in '25
MESA, Ariz. -- The thing about jaguars is, you don’t want to see one when it’s hungry. So when Cubs legend Sammy Sosa spoke to the organization’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and the No. 89 prospect overall -- the former slugger gave him some apt advice. “His
MESA, Ariz. -- The thing about jaguars is, you don’t want to see one when it’s hungry.
So when Cubs legend Sammy Sosa spoke to the organization’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and the No. 89 prospect overall -- the former slugger gave him some apt advice.
“His advice for me for hitting,” said Kevin Alcántara, a man they call The Jaguar, “was to stay hungry.”
And stay hungry he did in Saturday night’s 8-3 victory for the Cubs’ top prospects over their counterparts from the Angels in a Spring Breakout showdown at Sloan Park.
Alcántara, wearing a glove in center field that sported a jaguar print to go along with a jaguar-print belt and jaguar-themed headband beneath his cap, demonstrated why the Cubs are envisioning big things ahead for him when he homered in the first inning and then singled in the sixth.
The home run was a two-run shot over the left-center field wall off the Angels’ top pitching prospect, Caden Dana. Alcántara, who stands 6-foot-6, has a naturally long swing that produces high exit velocities. But on this pitch -- a fastball off the plate inside -- he brought his hands in and muscled the ball over the fence.
Therein lies one of the reasons he’s called “The Jaguar” -- the power. Combine that with his speed on the basepaths and intuition in center field, and there you have it.
While Alcántara has yet to truly tap into his power at the plate -- he’s never produced more than 15 home runs in a single Minor League season -- the 22-year-old knows it’s in there, and that’s it’s only a matter of time before it starts appearing more frequently.
“I know I have power,” Alcántara said. “It’s just that you have to control your moves in the box. Because I’m a tall guy. Sometimes it’s difficult for tall guys to hit the ball because sometimes the pitcher likes to throw the ball down. So you need to figure it out with that.
“But now I’m feeling I’m controlling my body. Sometimes you miss because it’s normal, but you want to [have] consistency every single day.”
If Alcántara begins to consistently do what he did on Saturday, there will be a lot of pitchers who experience the specter of a hungry jaguar ready to pounce from 60 feet, 6 inches away.
Kevin Alcántara makes a young fan's day by giving out his batting gloves 🥹 pic.twitter.com/wXvJNrUjqz
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 16, 2025
Alcántara said that the key to his homer was staying behind the ball, an element of the body control he mentioned. He said he’s in a good place at the plate, as evidenced by his .280 batting average and three doubles in Cactus League play.
“I continue working,” he said, “so I can have my chance to stay in the big leagues.”
Alcántara made his MLB debut for Chicago on Sept. 25 of last season, going 1-for-10 with a single. Now he’s striving for a callup from which he doesn't return.
To that end, another area in which he’s diligently working is defense in center field. Already a quality outfielder, thanks in part to his instincts when chasing his prey, Alcántara has tremendous potential defensively.
“I’m going to improve my first step,” he said. “I keep working because I know I can be an elite outfielder in the future.”
Beyond his hitting, running and defense, there’s the evident joy with which Alcántara plies his craft.
It’s not really even a craft, if you ask him.
“I enjoy the game with my guys,” he said. “The first thing is to stay happy every single game. Because it’s a game. It’s not a job. It’s a game.”
It’s a game, and games are supposed to be fun. Alcántara brings fun both with his play and with his style.
Once his drive left the ballpark on Saturday, Alcántara made his way around the bases and before reaching home plate, he flashed the “Jaguar claw.”
His nickname was born when Alcántara was with Single-A Myrtle Beach in 2022. At first, “The Panther” was on the table for consideration.
But that didn’t work.
“I was trying to find a nickname for me,” Alcántara said. “Sometimes you see a panther, but the Black Panther is the guy in the movie. I wanted an authentic nickname. I’m trying to make my mark.”
Alcántara certainly made his mark in Spring Breakout. And if his determination to turn his raw ability into stardom in the Majors is any indication, he could be making his mark for years to come.
I-Cubs Win Opening Night Against 2024 IL Champions Omaha Storm Chasers 6-3
DES MOINES, IA.- The Iowa Cubs welcomed the Omaha Storm Chasers for the first contest of the 2025 season on Opening Night. Iowa ended up winning 6-3 as the bullpen closed out Omaha in the late innings. Iowa got Opening Night started in the bottom of the second inning and
IOWA CUBS ANNOUNCE 2025 OPENING DAY ROSTER
The Iowa Cubs, in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, today announced their 2025 Opening Day roster. The roster features 17 players with Major League service time and 18 players who have past suited up for Iowa. The roster also features nine players on the Cubs’ Top 30 Prospects List according
Four I-Cubs From 2024 Made First Career Opening Day Roster for Chicago
The Chicago Cubs took on the Los Angeles Dodgers in a two-game set that took place in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday, March 18 and today, Wednesday, March 19. Both teams showcased Japanese-born talent as both rosters combine for a total of five Japanese players. Tuesday’s game featured multiple Cubs making
IOWA CUBS ANNOUNCE JASON KEMPF AS BROADCASTER
DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Cubs today announced Jason Kempf as the new Director of Broadcasting. Kempf brings 10 years of minor league broadcast experience to the I-Cubs, including stops in St. Paul, Wichita, Dayton, Quad Cities and Charleston, where he spent the last four seasons with the RiverDogs.
IOWA CUBS ANNOUNCE 2025 FIELD STAFF
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs, in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, announced their field staff for the 2025 season. Marty Pevey returns as manager for the I-Cubs for the 13th-consecutive season, extending his franchise-record tenure. Pevey’s 748 wins are a franchise record and his 1,392 victories are sixth-most
IOWA CUBS RELEASE 2025 PROMOTION SCHEDULE
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs today unveiled the 2025 season promotional schedule, which includes 13 Friday night fireworks, specialty nights, decade nights and more. Single-game tickets are officially on sale at IowaCubs.com/tickets with the home opener set for Friday, March 28 vs. Omaha. Iowa’s opening weekend features Friday
IOWA CUBS IMPRESSING IN WINTER BALL
Following Moises Ballesteros’ impressive stint in the Arizona Fall League, a couple other players from the Iowa Cubs 2024 roster have been making some noise this winter. Also announced this offseason, former Cub and Iowa Cub Quintin Berry will join the Chicago Cubs to be their new third-base coach. Berry
SHAW, BALLESTEROS EXCELLING IN FALL BALL
Top Chicago Cubs prospects Matt Shaw and Moises Ballesteros are turning some heads in their respective fall ball seasons after stellar summers which included stints with the Iowa Cubs. Shaw is representing Team USA in the Premier12 Tournament and through three games, the Cubs No. 1 prospect is batting .727
BALLESTEROS SHINING IN ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
Chicago Cubs No. 4 prospect and baseball’s No. 44 prospect (MLB.com) Moises Ballesteros has continued his excellent summer into the fall with the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League. The backstop is slashing .373/.404/.725 (19-for-51) with five home runs and 14 RBI in 11 games with Mesa, including
BALLESTEROS AND BIRDSELL NAMED CUBS MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER AND PITCHER OF THE YEAR
The Chicago Cubs announced today that catcher Moises Ballesteros was named the Buck O’Neil Cubs Minor League Player of the Year and Brandon Birdsell the Vedie Himsl Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year. It marks the second time Ballesteros has won the award after having done so in 2023.
IOWA CUBS RELEASE 2025 SCHEDULE
DES MOINES, IA – In conjunction with Major League Baseball, the Iowa Cubs today announced the 2025 regular season schedule. The 2025 regular season will consist of 75 home games and 75 road games with Iowa opening the year with three home games against the Omaha Storm Chasers, March 28-30.
I-CUBS END SEASON WITH EXTRA-INNING VICTORY
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (68-82) defeated the Rochester Red Wings (77-71) by a 3-2 tally in 11 innings Sunday at Innovative Field to end the 2024 season. Rochester jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on the back of back-to-back two-out RBI singles by Jake Alu
I-CUBS DROP EXTRA-INNING BATTLE TO RED WINGS
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (66-82) were defeated by a 2-1 final in 10 innings Friday night in Game 4 of their series against the Rochester Red Wings (77-69) at Innovative Field. Iowa took the early lead in the top of the third, when Kevin Alcantara doubled, and Owen
I-CUBS DOWNED LATE BY RED WINGS
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (66-80) were defeated by a 4-3 final Wednesday night in Game 2 of their series against the Rochester Red Wings (75-69) at Innovative Field. Iowa took the lead in the first when, after back-to-back walks to begin the night, Matt Shaw doubled in Owen
IOWA SHUTOUTS ROCHESTER
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (66-79) blanked the Rochester Red Wings (74-69) by a 3-0 score tonight at Innovative Field. Hayden Wesneski (2.0 IP), Julian Merryweather (1.0 IP), Caleb Kilian (5.0 IP) and Colten Brewer (1.0 IP) combined for the shutout. Reivaj Garcia got Iowa on the board in
I-CUBS OVERPOWERED BY BATS IN HIGH-SCORING AFFAIR
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (65-79) dropped their last home game of the season to the Louisville Bats (64-79) by a 17-10 final Sunday afternoon at Principal Park. The Cubs’ bats were hot, tallying 18 hits, including five doubles, a triple, and four homers, but the Bats’ bats
I-CUBS MATCH LONGEST STREAK OF SEASON WITH FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN AGAINST BATS
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (65-78) defeated the Louisville Bats (63-79), 7-2, Saturday night at Principal Park, ending the night with seven unanswered runs to earn their fourth straight win. Louisville got on the board first with two in the first courtesy of back-to-back RBI doubles from Levi
HOWARD’S CLUTCH DOUBLE PROPELS I-CUBS IN THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (64-78) defeated the Louisville Bats (64-77), 6-4, Friday night at Principal Park, as Ed Howard’s sixth-inning three-run double was the difference in the I-Cubs’ third straight victory. Louisville got on the board first with two in the first from a two-run double by
I-CUBS WIN HOMER FEST IN WALK-OFF FASHION
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (63-78) defeated the Louisville Bats (63-77), 5-4, in 11 innings Thursday night at Principal Park, as Chase Strumpf's double was the walk-off winner for the home team. Louisville scored first in the first from a solo home run by @levi jor, but Iowa
LATE RALLY LEADS IOWA OVER LOUISVILLE
DES MOINES, IA – William Simoneit’s two-run double in the eighth inning broke a 3-3 tie to lead the Iowa Cubs (62-78) to a 5-3 win over the Louisville Bats (63-76) today at Principal Park. The I-Cubs took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on back-to-back run scoring singles
I-CUBS COMEBACK FALLS SHORT AGAINST LOUISVILLE
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (61-78) came up a run short in a valiant comeback effort against the Louisville Bats (63-75), dropping an 11-10 contest Tuesday night at Principal Park. Louisville jumper out to a 6-0 lead in the second inning behind a Bubba Thompson three-run double, a
SAINTS DOWN I-CUBS WITH LATE OFFENSE IN SERIES FINALE
PAUL, MN – The St. Paul Saints (67-70) defeated the Iowa Cubs (61-77) by a 9-3 final, scoring six runs in the seventh and eighth innings combined Sunday afternoon at CHS Field. Iowa got on the board first in the top of the third when Kevin Alcantara deposited a two-run
MERVIS, SHAW HOMER IN IOWA’S LOSS AT ST. PAUL
ST. PAUL, MN – Despite home runs from Matt Mervis and Matt Shaw, the Iowa Cubs (61-76) fell to the St. Paul Saints (66-70) by an 8-6 score tonight at CHS Field. St. Paul took a 6-0 lead in the second inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Emmanuel Rodriguez.
CAISSIE LEADS IOWA OVER ST. PAUL
ST. PAUL, MN – Owen Caissie hit two homers and drove in five runs to lead the Iowa Cubs (61-75) to an 8-4 victory over the St. Paul Saints (65-70) tonight at CHS Field. Trailing 4-0 in the fourth inning, Iowa put up six runs in the frame. The scoring
SAINTS DOWN I-CUBS WITH WALK OFF WIN
PAUL, MN – The St. Paul Saints (65-69) defeated the Iowa Cubs (60-75) by a 7-6 final with a walk off win in the bottom of the ninth Thursday night at CHS Field. The hosts took a 3-0 lead in the first with two RBI singles by Yunior Severino and