Cubs Prospect Focus: James Triantos |
One of the best parts of Minor League baseball isn't even the season itself, but what happens after the conclusion of the regular season. No, I'm not talking about the playoffs, but instead, a different league known as the Arizona Fall League aimed at giving players more reps to develop their craft.
The Cubs have had their share of success in the AFL, with Caleb Kilian and Nelson Velazquez putting on quite a show in 2021. You also had Matt Mervis and Alexander Canario lighting it up in 2022, and this season was no different as that trend continued. However, it was a player that the Cubs and their brass had tons of high hopes for, but one that may not have been on many scouts' radars until the AFL, as James Triantos could be the next big thing in Chicago. Checking in at No. 9 on the Cubs top prospect list, Triantos is a second basemen by trade, but look for the Cubs to give him some reps at third this season to address the hot corner for the future. A second-round pick back in 2021 out of Madison High School (Vienna, VA), Triantos was one of the best Prep bats in his class, drawing many comparisons to Kris Bryant. When you watch him on fill you will know why. Initially committed to UNC, Triantos played so well during the 2021 spring season that the Cubs made him an offer he couldn't refuse and signed him to a 2.1 million dollar contract. Known as a hitter, Triantos was also an outstanding pitcher on the prep circuit, but those days are long gone, as he is going to be a hitter from here on out. From the moment he was drafted, you could see the promise in Triantos and his upside as he hit .327 across 25 ACL games while belting six homers and driving in 19. That was the production he was putting up in high school and the main reason the Cubs wanted him so badly. Given his success in the ACL, the Cubs wasted no time getting him into full-season ball in 2022 and sent him to Myrtle Beach, where he ended up playing in 113 games. Triantos more than held his own against pitchers much older than him, as he hit .272 with seven homers and 50 RBIs. He also showed a decent eye at the plate with 39 walks and 81 strikeouts and showed much more speed than people realized as he swiped 20 bases. Looking to take the next step in 2023, Triantos moved one more level up in the Cubs system and called South Bend home this season before getting up a cup of tea (3 games) with AA Tennessee. In 83 total games this season, Triantos continued to impress with his bat, hitting .287, but his lack of power, with four homers and 48 RBIs, was a concern. However, in Triantos defense, he was working on being a hitter first this season and took nearly as many walks (35) as strikeouts (39) so putting the ball in play wasn't an issue. Once the AFL season began, Triantos took his game to an entirely different level, and it is the level the Cubs are anxious to see going forward. Triantos' bat-to-ball skills from the right side of the plate have prompted comparisons to Alex Bregman and David Wright, and he continued to show a good feel for the barrel throughout his professional career thus far. Everyone knows the types of hitters Wright and Bregman are, so if he can come close to either of those guys, the Cubs will be extremely happy with their pick. He has a compact stroke with a direct bat path and should hit for average, though there are questions about his power upside. His hitting ability, bat speed, and strength should lead to average pop, and he has improved his contact quality in 2023. You saw the pop go down during the season, but it came back better than ever during the AFL, which has scouts eager to see if he can hit for more power than anyone initially thought. The most significant question mark surrounding him and his future is where he fits with this team. A third baseman by trade, the Cubs have plans to move him back to third, but with past throwing issues, that could become a concern. He has a thick lower half and projects to have fringy speed once he's fully developed, though he does have good hands and solid arm strength, so making the move to back third shouldn't be an issue.
