Russell promoted; Szczur, Alcantara reassigned to Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Chicago Cubs Tuesday announced they have purchased the contract of infielder Addison Russell from Triple-A Iowa and optioned infielder/outfielder Arismendy Alcantara to the I-Cubs. Furthermore, outfielder Matt Sczcur has been activated and is in uniform (#8) for Tuesday night's game against New Orleans at Principal Park.

 

Russell, who will wear uniform number 22, will be available for Chicago tonight when they continue their four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

 

Russell, 21, entered the 2015 season ranked as the third-best prospect in the game by Baseball America and the second-best prospect in the Cubs farm system after being named the top prospect in Oakland's system heading into both the 2013 and 2014 campaigns. A first round pick in the 2012 Draft (11th overall), Russell was acquired by the Cubs with outfielder Billy McKinney and righthander Dan Straily from Oakland for right-handers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel last July 5. Russell also entered 2015 ranked the second-best prospect by in the game by Baseball Prospectus.

 

The 6-foot, 200-pound Russell joins Chicago after batting .301 (289-for-961) with 57 doubles, 20 triples, 38 home runs and 159 RBI in 244 minor league games covering the last four seasons. The right-handed hitter has posted a .377 on-base percentage and a .520 slugging percentage, good for an .897 OPS.

 

Russell played across three levels in his first pro campaign in 2012, earning All-Star honors for two clubs, and spent most of the 2013 campaign at Advanced-A Stockton as a 19-year-old, recording 29 doubles, 10 triples and 17 homers to become one of only 12 minor leaguers to reach double digits in all three categories. Russell was named to the U.S. Futures team, earned post-season California League All-Star honors and capped 2013 by playing in the Arizona Fall League, where he was named to the AFL All-Star team.

 

Last season, Russell combined to bat .295 (76-for-258) with 14 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs and 45 RBI in 68 games between Stockton, Double-A Midland and Double-A Tennessee. He also played 11 games in a return trip to the Arizona Fall League. With Iowa this season, Russell was hitting .318 (14-for-44) with four doubles, one home run and nine RBI in 11 games leading to his promotion to the big leagues today.

 

Russell was drafted by Oakland out of Pace High School in Florida, where he batted .460 with 37 homers during his four years. He is a native of Pensacola, Florida.

 

Alcantara, 23, is hitting .077 (2-for-26) with five runs scored and one RBI in 11 games for the Cubs this season. Alcantara will be active on Iowa's roster when he joins the team.

 

Alcantara hit .307 in 89 games for Iowa in 2014. The 23-year-old led the Pacific Coast League with 11 triples and was named both a PCL Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star.

 

The I-Cubs will host the New Orleans Zephyrs Tuesday in game one of a four-game set, with first pitch set for 6:38 p.m. CT at Principal Park. Right hander Donn Roach (0-0, 3.18) will make his third start on the year, and second of the season against the Zephyrs. He'll be faced by right-hander Jake Esch (0-0, 5.40). The game can be heard live on AM 940, 104.5 FM, and live streamed at Iowacubs.com. The On-Deck Circle Pre-game Show will begin 6:10 p.m. CT.