Alexander Canario, Max Bain Lead Group of Players Promoted from South Bend to Tennessee
There are quite a few players in the Chicago Cubs farm system that are having eye-popping starts to the season. Alexander Canario and Max Bain are two very good examples of guys who are stepping up in the very early goings. They lead a group that is being promoted from High-A South Bend to Double-A Tennessee. The promotions put them on a track that could see one of both of them arrive in Chicago within the next 1-2 years, which is pretty exciting for both these high-ceiling prospects.
The @Cubs are promoting the following players from High-A @SBCubs to Double-A @smokiesbaseball, per source:
-P Chris Clarke
-P Max Bain
-P Nicholas Padilla
-OF Alexander Canario (promoted 5/9)The SB Cubs have also released OF Edmond Americaan (listed 5/9). @WSBT
— Bennett Wise WSBT (@BennettWiseWSBT) May 10, 2022
Canario is the righthanded outfielder the Cubs received in exchange for Kris Bryant back in 2021, that’s in addition to stud prospect Caleb Kilian. He started showing big-time power the moment he arrived in South Bend and that has continued this season. But he’s vastly improved in almost all other offensive categories, as well.
In 2021, Canario had nine homers for a 16.1% HR/FB rate, a slash line of .224/.264/.429, and an 84 wRC+. So far this year he’s already banged seven homers in nearly half as many games, upping his HR/FB rate to an impressive 29.2%. His slash line is currently at .281/.360/.584 which is good for a 166 wRC+. It’s safe to say that Canario has figured out High-A and, with numbers like these, he’s going to be one to watch in Tennessee.
Bain, is an undrafted free agent signing the Cubs picked up in January 2020 that, at the time, showed plenty of upside. He started to really find his groove in South Bend back in early June 2020, when he had a 6-inning no-hit outing, striking out 10 batters while hitting 98 mph with his heater. He ended the season with a 2.96 ERA in August to earn the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors.
This year, he’s come out attacking hitters with his mid-to-upper 90s fastball and solid slider, while offsetting those with an above-average changeup.
Last 4 outings for the right-handed showing 93-97 with a good slider and change:
3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K
3 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K
4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 KFor season, a .127 BAA. He’s ready.
(Won’t be the only change for the TN/SB staffs today.) https://t.co/xaQtPkmAQi
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) May 10, 2022
In addition to the higher profile promotions of Canario and Bain, the Cubs are also promoting RHP Chris Clarke and RHP Nicholas Padilla to Tennessee. Clarke was selected in the 4th round of the 2019 draft by the Cubs and is 3-1 with a 3.42 ERA over 23.2 IP in 2022. Padilla was claimed off waivers in December 2020 by the Cubs. His ERA this season is 1.80 with 18 strikeouts over 10 IP.
