The Cubs added two players to the 40-man roster prior to Wednesday’s deadline to file reserve lists at the Major and Minor League levels.
Arismendy Alcantara and Dallas Beeler were added to the Major League roster. With the two additions, the Cubs 40-man roster stands at 39 players.
Arismendy Alcantara garnered a lot of attention this past season with the improvements he made in the field and at the plate. Alcantara began the year as the Smokies’ shortstop and shortly after he returned from the Futures Game, he moved to the other side of the infield to accommodate Javier Baez.
Alcantara was among the offensive leaders in the Southern League in 2013. Alcantara was second in the league in doubles (36), third in stolen bases (31), seventh in RBI (69), tenth in home runs (15) and 14th in batting average (.271). Alcantara changed his approach at the plate and it translated into a .352 OBP.
In his first full year at the Double-A level, the 22-year old put up career highs in games played (133), plate appearances (571), runs scored (69), hits (134), doubles (36), home runs (15), walks (62), stolen bases (31), OBP (.352), SLG (.451), OPS (.804) and total bases (223).
Arismendy Alcantara has drawn comparisons to Jimmy Rollins, mainly due to his build, the fact that he is a switch hitter and profiles as leadoff hitter in the majors. The front office is on record that Alcantara will begin the year at Triple-A Iowa, but one thing is for sure, he is not far from the big leagues.
Arismendy Alcantara’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Dallas Beeler improved his stock with an excellent performance in the Arizona Fall League. Beeler spent most of the 2013 season on the disabled list with a torn tendon in his pitching hand and made only nine starts. Beeler was 4-2 in nine starts for Double-A Tennessee with a 3.13 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP (35 strikeouts, 17 walks in 54 2/3 innings).
Beeler was 4-1 in six starts for the Solar Sox with a 2.49 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP in the recently completed AFL season. In 21 2/3 innings, Beeler gave up 24 hits, five walks and struck out nine batters. Beeler made his best start of the fall in the championship game last Saturday.
Dallas Beeler’s Page on Baseball-Reference
The Cubs did not promote outfielder Jae-Hoon Ha or LHP Eric Jokisch to the 40-man roster. Both players will be eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 12.
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