The Chicago Cubs have called up infielder James Triantos, the team’s seventh-ranked prospect according to MLB.com, marking his first promotion to the major leagues this season. Triantos revealed the news on his Instagram story Thursday afternoon ahead of the Cubs’ series opener in Pittsburgh.
At 23 years old, Triantos has largely played second and third base during the 2025 season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, while also covering all three outfield positions at times. After a challenging first full season at Triple-A in 2024, he has displayed marked improvement, posting a .306 batting average, a .344 on-base percentage, and a .784 OPS this year.
Selected in the second round of the 2021 MLB draft, Triantos showed promise in big-league spring training, which, combined with his placement on the Cubs’ 40-man roster, paved the way for his elevation to the majors. Manager Craig Counsell emphasized during spring camp that Triantos’s primary goal was to continue developing as a player.
“Triantos got to Triple A at a really young age. Didn’t have his best season last year, but he’s been a talented offensive player since he entered professional baseball, and we’re going to get back to that,” Counsell said. “He’s off to a good start in showing that this spring. When you’re on the 40-man roster the message is always, look, whatever’s going on you’re a day away from being a Chicago Cub.”
To make room on the active roster for Triantos, outfielder Kevin Alcántara has been optioned back to Iowa, according to minor league transaction reports. This move appears to be the corresponding roster adjustment ahead of the Cubs’ upcoming series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.