Alexander Canario got the chance to make his big league debut in 2023. The slugger and right-handed pitching prospect Caleb Kilian were acquired from the San Francisco Giants at the 2021 trade deadline for third baseman Kris Bryant.
The Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic native, was seen as a steal when the Giants signed him on July 2, 2016. Canario agreed to a contract with a signing bonus of just $60,000. In his brief career in affiliated ball, the outfielder has proved that he’s worth much more than that. It’s been a long path for Canario to get to this point.
Alexander Canario‘s Journey Through the Organization
A Threat at the Plate
When you look at Canario on the surface, there is no doubting the power in the big man’s bat. His power is graded as the best trait in his tool bag, tied with arm strength at 55. Canario’s slugging abilities were put on display in full force in 2022. He clubbed 37 homers in the Cubs minor league system across three levels in 125 games. With the long balls, Canario doubled 26 times and drove in 97 runs.
The outfielder saw his numbers dip in 2023, but that came due to injuries. Canario was rehabbing from a broken left ankle and a dislocated shoulder when 2023 began, stunting his ability to develop more toward the big league level. When Canario could return to action, he picked up right where he left off. He scored 47 RBI in 53 minor league games with a .844 OPS.
After making his debut, Canario logged 17 at-bats in his two short stints toward the end of the season. Out of his five hits, his first career long ball was the most memorable. A grand slam against Pittsburgh to put the ballgame well out of reach got Wrigley jumping, leaving fans exhilarated.
Beware of the K
With great power in the bat of Canario comes some drawbacks. In his first full season on the Cubs’ farm, Canario posted a 31.6% strikeout rate across 464 at-bats. While those 37 homers are fantastic, striking out nearly one out of every three trips to the plate is not something to smile about.
That 31% mark is where Canario hovered around in a shortened 2023 minor league season in just over 200 at-bats. The Cubs have had high strikeout rates with youngsters with pop before (see Christopher Morel), which is not unusual for the organization.
Versatility near the Ivy at Wrigley Field
The thump in Canario’s bat has always been the first attraction to all scouts, but he’s molded into a versatile defender over the past few years. When he first entered affiliated ball, Canario primarily flipped, flopping between center and right field. After the pandemic affected all prospect’s 2020 seasons, many changed their perspectives for 2021. Canario was one of those prospects, as he began to work on getting time at the other corner outfield position. Before getting traded to Chicago, he logged two more games in left field than in right that season.
That versatility might be why Canario finds consistent reps in the Cubs organization this season. With all the outfielders on the Cubs’ big league roster, it’s vital for any outfield prospect not to pigeonhole themselves. Canario represents just that, as his ability to competently cover all three spots near the Ivy will be valuable for the organization. It helps that he made his MLB debut last season, but that should be a stepping stone for the young outfielder.
Photo Credit: © David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
