'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.
Bluefield Ridge Runners announce 2023 coaching staff
The Bluefield Ridge Runners have announced their on-field coaches for the 2023 Appalachian League season. Hitting coach Jerry Greeley, returning pitching coach Garrett Schilling and fourth coach Chris Allen will round out the experienced staff set to serve under Ridge Runners manager and former Major League skipper John McLaren. “On
Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Over the last several weeks, Appalachian League teams have announced their managers for the 2023 season. That group includes four brand-new faces with more than 150 years of combined experience in professional baseball. Former big league manager John McLaren, along with Dennis Cook, Bill Kinneberg and
Ridge Runners bring McLaren aboard as 2023 manager
The Bluefield Ridge Runners announced that former Major League skipper John McLaren will manage the team in 2023. McLaren began his professional career in the Appalachian League with the then-member club of Covington, Va. He played seven seasons in the Minor Leagues, reaching the Triple-A level, after being selected by
Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil
Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10
Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Morgenstern as the new director of player personnel. Morgenstern joins the Appalachian League from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was an area scout since 2016. Morgenstern spent his first three years with the organization covering
Bluefield Ridge Runners announced as recipient of Lee Landers Community Service Award
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that the Bluefield Ridge Runners have been named the recipient of the 2022 Lee Landers Community Service Award. The Lee Landers Community Service Award is presented to the club that demonstrates an outstanding, ongoing commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within
Redden named Appalachian League Humanitarian of the Year
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Parker Redden (Delaware) was named the Humanitarian of the Year. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season
Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through
2022 All-Appalachian League Team announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 2022 All-Appalachian League Team. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The All-Appalachian League Team is highlighted by Bluefield’s Jackson Feltner, who was named Player of the Year, and Burlington’s Mason Ruh, who earned Pitcher of the
Feltner awarded Appalachian League Player of the Year
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Jackson Feltner (Morehead State) was named the Player of the Year. Feltner hit .347 with eight home runs and 38 RBI in 50 games played for Bluefield this season. The Ridge Runners first baseman went 67-for-193 with nine doubles, 44
McCrystal, Wohlgemuth earn Appalachian League monthly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Burlington's Ryan McCrystal (East Carolina) and Bluefield's Nate Wohlgemuth (Rogers State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Month of July, respectively. McCrystal hit .410 with three home runs and 31 RBI in 22 July games for the Burlington Sock
Petersen, Wohlgemuth earn Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced today that Kingsport's Sam Petersen (Iowa) and Bluefield's Nate Wohlgemuth (Rogers State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of July 25-31, respectively. Petersen hit .438 (7-for-16) with one home run and seven RBI in four games played for the
Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr
Roster announced for 2022 Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance
The Appalachian League announced the rosters for the second Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance. The rosters will feature 44 of the league's top players from the East and West Divisions, as nominated and voted on by the league's managers. The Visit Alamance All-Star Game is scheduled to
McGeary, Wohlgemuth earn Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Haydn McGeary (Kentucky) and Nate Wohlgemuth (Rogers State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of July 11-17, respectively. McGeary hit .591 (13-for-22) with five extra-base hits and six RBI in six games played for the Bluefield Ridge
Feltner, Cooper claim Appalachian League monthly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Jackson Feltner (Morehead State) and Burlington's Trey Cooper (NC State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Month of June, respectively. Feltner hit .372 with four home runs and 22 RBI in 24 games played for the Bluefield Ridge
Feltner, Taylor earn Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Jackson Feltner (Morehead State) and Greeneville's Riley Taylor (Oklahoma State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of June 13-19, respectively. Feltner hit .458 (11-for-24) with two home runs, two doubles, and 11 RBI in six games played
Former Ridge Runners outfielder named Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist
CARY, N.C. - USA Baseball announced that former Bluefield Ridge Runners outfielder Kendal Ewell is a semifinalist for the 2022 Golden Spikes Award. The Golden Spikes Award honors the top amateur baseball player in the country. Kendal Ewell, a sophomore outfielder at Eastern Kentucky University, played in 45 games for
Appalachian League introduces new extra-innings format
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the addition of a "sudden death" extra-innings rule and the return of seven-inning games on Sundays. EXTRA INNINGS: Similar to the Frontier League and MLB Draft League, the Appalachian League will implement a "sudden death" extra-innings format. During the plate meeting prior
Ridge Runners announce Mike Weatherford as hitting coach
The Bluefield Ridge Runners are pleased to announce that Mike Weatherford of Denton, Texas, has been named as the hitting coach for the 2022 season. Weatherford spent his collegiate days at Oklahoma. Weatherford joins the Ridge Runners staff for his first season in Bluefield. Weatherford spent the 2021 season with