It's been great to see the top outfield prospects play for the Cubs during spring training, with Pete Crow-Armstrong, Brennen Davis and Kevin Alcantara all having highlights in Cactus League play, but one big name has been missing in Alexander Canario. Luckily, the latest injury update points to good things ahead for Canario, who suffered not one, but two brutal injuries on a flukey play last October.
Canario not only fractured an ankle that required surgery, he needed a second surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder as well after he rolled his ankle and slammed down hard on the ground running to first base on Oct. 27, playing in the Dominican Winter League. There is no set timetable for Canario's return this year, but he's hoping to get back on the field soon.
The outfielder has started lifting weights and running inside a pool as part of his rehab that is currently on track.
Cubs prospect Alexander Canario hopes to begin baseball activities soon.
The power-hitting outfield prospect has begun running in the pool and in anti-gravity machine and has begun lifting weights and doing exercises in the gym.
“Everything is coming out like the team and I want, so thanks to God, I’m recovering well,” Canario said.
But he’s not yet cleared for baseball activities.
“But I hope that’ll be soon; in a week or so,” Canario said.
The Cubs acquired Canario along with right-handed starting pitcher Caleb Kilian from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline in 2021 for Kris Bryant. Canario began the 2022 season playing at A-Ball in South Bend, but made it up through the system and finished the year with the Iowa Cubs at Triple-A.
Here's how Canario did at each level in the minors during the 2022 season.
South Bend, A-Ball: 24 games, .281/.360/.584, 7 home runs
Tennessee: Double-A: 81 games, .248/.329/.552, 24 home runs
Iowa: Triple-A: 20 games, .231/.386/.538, 6 home runs
Sure, the batting averages don't look special, but Canario was getting better throughout the season and the power was insane to go along with speed on the bases. In his last 75 games, Canario hit .264 with 25 home runs, while also stealing 19 bases and only getting caught twice. He also walked 13% of the time during that time period.
Overall, Canario posted an .899 OPS with 37 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 2022. Just some eye-popping numbers from Canario and man I hope he doesn't have any setbacks because the power looked very real.
Home run power to right field, too.
Canario had a chance to come into spring training as a top-100 prospect, but the freak accident has, for now, delayed his path to the big leagues.
One thing we don't think about all that much when players get injured and have to go through long rehab processes is the heavy toll that it takes on their mental state.
The injury could have caused a lot of mental frustrations, but for Canario, having undergone surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder in late 2020 helped him mentally for the difficulties he went through this winter.
“It was more difficult the first time, but I went through it, I accepted it and focused 100% on the work to be healthy,” Canario said.
While the Cubs have a solid group of outfielders in 2023, only Seiya Suzuki is fully guaranteed under contract beyond this year. Ian Happ has not signed an extension and will be a free agent following this season, while center fielder Cody Bellinger has an opt-out and can test free agency as well after the 2023 season comes to a close.
PCA, Davis and Alcantara all have Cubs fans excited, but it'll be a joy to see Canario back on the field. Right now, it's encouraging to see that he's progressing well and hopefully he doesn't suffer any setbacks and can get back to crushing the ball in 2023.
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