Cubs Prospect Canario Had Scorching Series for Iowa

Chicago Cubs prospect Alexander Canario is lighting up Triple-A pitching and there was more evidence this past week as and the Iowa Cubs faced Indianapolis.

Canario, the Cubs’ No. 14 overall prospect, has had a terrific August at Iowa, batting .326 with seven home runs and 25 RBI.

But his first three games against Indianapolis were something else.

In the opener on Tuesday he went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Then, on Wednesday, he did it one better, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.

Then, on Thursday, he just exploded. He went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two home runs and four RBI.

Even as his work at the plate tapered off just a bit, he had an incredible series — 11-for-24 with four home runs, three doubles and eight RBI.

Canario has played catch-up this season as he began it on the injured list and wasn’t activated until June 28 and sent to High Class-A South Bend after an Arizona Complex League rehab assignment. Canario needed surgery on a broken left ankle and a dislocated left shoulder after a baserunning injury in the Dominican Winter League.

With South Bend he slashed .256/.370/.282/.652 but didn’t show off any power and only drove in seven runs. In 34 games with Iowa he’s slashed .287/.355/.544/.899 with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 35 RBI.

That’s much closer to the power numbers he produced in 2022 with three different minor leagues teams as he smashed 37 home runs and 97 RBI, both career bests.

The 23-year-old Dominican Republic native is closing in on making the Cubs’ decision-making difficult in the outfield in 2024. The former Giants signee in 2016 didn’t get to play a full season of pro ball until 2021 and joined the Cubs that season in a trade that sent Kris Bryant to San Francisco for Canario and another top prospect, pitcher Caleb Kilian.

The Iowa Cubs are at Toledo this week.

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