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Three prospects who shined in Cubs-Angels Spring Breakout game
In a matchup between some of the top prospects in the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels organizations, three arguably shined the brightest in Saturday's Spring Breakout matchup, eventually won by the Cubs 8-3.
Cole Fontenelle, 23rd-ranked prospect for Angels
Working his way back from a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula suffered just 72 at-bats into his 2024 season, Fontenelle shined for the Angels on Saturday night, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI. He also capped the scoring for Los Angeles with a solo home run in the top of the ninth, sending a 2-0 pitch from Cubs reliever Jack Neely over the center field fence.
The 23-year-old Fontenelle, a non-roster invitee to spring training, was the only Angels prospect to get two hits as Cubs pitchers held Los Angeles to five hits on the night. However, between his late home run and first-inning RBI single that gave the Angels a quick 1-0 lead, the former seventh-round draft pick in 2023 put together an impressive evening.
Moises Ballesteros, fourth-ranked prospect for Cubs
While Fontenelle's single scored the opening run for the Angels, it was Ballesteros that knotted the game quickly with an RBI single in the bottom of the first.
Moisés Ballesteros rips an RBI single through! pic.twitter.com/T5l0qhHAoD
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 16, 2025
At 21, Ballesteros is considered part of the future for the Cubs behind the plate. He ascended to Triple-A last season, slashing .281/.340/.454 in 260 at-bats while also smacking 10 home runs.
On Saturday, Ballesteros went 2-for-4 with an RBI and also scored a run while also catching and handling a number of the top pitching prospects for the Cubs. He showed off his arm in the top of the first, throwing out Fontenelle on an attempted steal of second base.
Kevin Alcantara, sixth-ranked prospect for the Cubs
The only Cubs starter on Saturday who knocked in more than one run, Alcantara took the RBI lead on the night with one swing in the first inning.
Kevin Alcántara gives the Cubs prospects the lead with a 2-run bomb! pic.twitter.com/ShauLmFxpU
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 16, 2025
The 22-year-old Alcantara finished 2-for-4, including the highlight-reel home run and a single to center in the sixth. It was a solid night for Alcantara, who had a short run in late September with the Cubs last season, going 1-for-10 and whetting appetites for what he might bring to the team this season.
While he may have just missed out on the Opening Day roster for the Cubs as they prepare to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo, Alcantara showed on Saturday night that he has the skills to stand out among the top prospects in Arizona and should be back with the big-league club in 2025.
More must-reads:
- Watch: Cubs' Kevin Alcantara makes immediate impact in Spring Breakout
- Cubs preseason capsule: Chicago on upswing with OF Kyle Tucker
- The 'MLB on-base percentage leaders since 2000' quiz
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