While 2026 has been an up-and-down year for the Chicago Cubs, one of the most important storylines has been Kevin Alcántara‘s usage. The season has been a tough one, due to a rough May stretch and the Cubs’ injury issues. With all of this in mind, many roles on the team, like Chicago’s right field situation, had been in question. Despite all of this, Alcántara has often been in the Cubs’ afterthoughts, and now it has become a major concern not only for the rest of 2026 but potentially for the future of the team as well.
Behind Kevin Alcántara’s Usage
Coming into 2026, it was unclear where Alcántara could see playing time. The outfield spots were locked up by Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki. Additionally, the bench spots were taken by Matt Shaw and Michael Conforto. Finally, Moisés Ballesteros was serving as the Cubs DH. With all of these spots full, Alcántara was set to see most of the year in Triple-A. However, when the injuries started piling up and he was called up to the Major League roster, the hope was that he would see some more playing time.
Alcántara’s Usage was fairly non-existent in his first trip to the Majors earlier in the year. As a result, he was sent back down to Triple-A. Then, when Shaw suffered another injury, he was brought back up and given another opportunity. So far, it has been a fairly similar story. He has seen a few games rotating with Conforto, but nothing notable. This has been fair when looking at his stats, as he only has a .200 batting average and one RBI. This poor performance may be one of the worst effects of his lack of usage.
It is difficult to analyze a player who only has 15 at-bats, but he has shown very few signs that he can play with the same power that he did in the Minors. Although that may not be fully on him, as when you see such little playing time, it is hard to adjust to the Major League pitching. If this continues, it risks him not being able to get in a groove for the rest of the year. Additionally, when you take him out of Triple-A, where he was playing well, it limits him from getting everyday at-bats, which once again holds his progression back.
The Concerns
The biggest concern with Alcántara’s usage has been that it is hard to know what he can offer you. Coming into the season, the team had a major dilemma with Alcántara, as it is reaching the point that Chicago needs to decide if he will be in their plans. Happ and Suzuki are both free agents after this season, so as of now, the only person penciled in for next year’s outfield is Crow-Armstrong. The ideal situation was that Alcántara would step up and fill one of those roles. With how 2026 has gone, it is hard to feel confident about that right now.
The other decision would be to trade him. Chicago needs a lot of pitching help at the trade deadline and could be looking at shopping for some of the top trade candidates. Earlier in the season, he could have been one of their top pieces to include in any trade. However, his lack of usage, combined with the fact that he has not shown his potential, has severely dropped his value. He could still serve as a solid piece to include in a package, but it is unlikely he will move the needle.
Last Word on Kevin Alcántara’s Usage
The 2026 season has been full of ups and downs for the Cubs. Chicago has seen both 10-game winning and losing streaks, as well as double-digit wins and losses. However, one of the concerns that affects the future the most is Alcántara’s usage. The team has not given him much of a chance to prove himself, which makes it hard for them to find out if he can be a long-term pillar of the team or just another failed outfield prospect. Although it does get hard to give him playing time as the team looks to get their stars all playing well.
Regardless, this will be one of the most important things to monitor the rest of 2026. He may not be the player that will make or break this year, but among the players currently on the major league roster, few have more pressure to start proving that they help the team in 2027 and beyond. As of now, it is not entirely his fault, and it is way too early to give up on him, but he is not doing himself any favors. Alcántaras’s usage this season may end up coming back to bite the Cubs in the future, as it could be the factor that prevents him from reaching his top potential.
Main Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
