Pedro Ramírez Named International League Player of the Month, Kevin Alcántara Leads Minors with 12 HRs

Cubs infield prospect Pedro Ramírez, who ranks ninth in MLB Pipeline’s organizational rankings, has been named International League Player of the Month. The 22-year-old led the league in home runs (7), RBI (28), runs (24), and total bases (60), while finishing second in slugging percentage (.625). That would normally be the kind of performance that gets you called up to the bigs, but the Cubs are kinda-sorta set on the infield.

Same goes for the outfield, where Kevin Alcántara would be playing for just about any other team. The lanky 23-year-old was tied with Ramírez for the home run lead in April and his 12 total dingers lead Minor League Baseball. Of course, his 44 strikeouts are up near the top as well.

Both players are on the 40-man roster, but don’t expect either in Chicago in the near future unless an injury is involved. There’s no reason to call one of them up just to provide bench depth, though Alcántara would be the far more likely choice as an extra bat given his past experience. Regardless, having this kind of depth bodes well for the rest of the season.