Cubs Reportedly Promoting James Triantos for MLB Debut

According to Baseball America prospect writer Geoff Pontes, the Cubs will be promoting James Triantos to make his MLB debut in Pittsburgh. The move has since been confirmed by multiple other sources, so we will indeed see him over the weekend. It’s unclear whether Triantos will replace Pedro Ramirez, Kevin Alcántara, or someone else, but the No. 7 prospect in the organization (No. 13 on BA’s list) has played second, third, and all three outfield positions this season.

Between that and the fact that he’s a right-handed hitter, replacing Alcántara — whose only action comes against lefties — would seem to make the most sense at first blush. Then again, Ramirez was stretching his side after a swing in Wednesday’s game. That could be an oblique issue, plus he’s more of a fit for Triantos positionally. But surely the Cubs can’t be facing yet another IL stint, right?

Edit: The other likely option is Justin Dean, who I’d forgotten was on the roster at all.

Hearing the Cubs are calling up James Triantos to make his MLB debut.

— Geoff Pontes (@GeoffPontesBA) July 23, 2026

After putting up freakish numbers at Madison High School in Vienna, VA, Triantos was chosen by the Cubs in the second round (56th overall) in 2021. Prized more for his hit tool than anything else, he has risen methodically through the minors and is currently slashing .306/.344/.440 with seven homers for Triple-A Iowa. He was added to the 40-man roster last November, so his promotion would not require the Cubs to cut anyone loose.

More to come.