Cubs' Prospect Canario Reaches 30 Home Runs After Two-Homer Day

The Alexander Canario show kept on rolling Sunday, as the outfielder notched his 30th and 31st home runs of the season. Canario reaching the 30-home run mark put him in a category not reached by a Cubs minor leaguer since 2014. 

The 22-year-old has flashed immense power and speed this season, with the prospect also swiping 20 bases this season, 17 of them in Double-A.

The Dominican-born player has a season OPS of .881 with Tennessee, highlighted by finishing the month of July with a 1.300 OPS. The Cubs no. 9-ranked prospect (via MLB Pipeline) finished July with more walks than strikeouts, and an on-base percentage of .500. 

If Canario continue his rapid pace, he should remain a serious contender for a late-season major league promotion, or a promotion to Triple-A. The outfielder has exceeded expectations this season, and deserves a proper reward. 

Elsewhere on the farm:

Triple-A: Iowa Cubs (52-65) at Indianapolis Indians (58-57): L 8-2

• Outfielder Darius Hill did not go 1-for-3 with a walk for the fourth day in a row, but he did go 2-for-4, bringing his season batting average up to .341.
• Jeremiah Estrada appeared in his fourth Triple-A game and pitched a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout. The righty has yet to allow a run with Iowa. 

Double-A: Tennessee Smokies (61-53) at Birmingham Barons (51-63): W 13-5

• Two updates were given on Smokies injuries: Jordan Wicks was removed as a precaution after one inning of his Saturday start. There is no other update on the Cubs 2021 first-round pick. Miguel Amaya is considered day-to-day after dislocating his left ring finger Friday. 
• Smokies starter Ben Brown, acquired in the David Robertson trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, gave up three runs over five innings while striking out seven batters.
• Canario wasn't the only Tennessee hitter with multiple home runs, as Andy Weber hit his third and fourth long balls of the year as well. The shortstop has a .751 OPS for the year.
• Jake Slaughter went 3-for-4 with a walk, double, home run, and two RBI. The righty is batting .311 with a .979 OPS.

High-A: South Bend Cubs (64-50) vs. Beloit Sky Carp (56-57): W 4-3

• South Bend starter Daniel Palencia pitched four shutout innings, allowing three hits, walking one batter, and striking out six. The righty, acquired from the Oakland Athletics in the 2021 Andrew Chafin trade, flashed his 94 MPH slider, and as of Aug. 21, has struck out 33.1% of the batters he's faced while walking 8.8% since June 1.
• First baseman Casey Optiz hit two home runs, his second and third of the season.
• Fabian Pertuz also homered. The shortstop now has eight longballs this season.

Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (70-44) at Down East Wood Ducks (59-55): W 7-1

• Kevin Alcantara went 3-for-5 with an RBI. The Cubs third-ranked prospect via Pipeline has a Pelicans-best .797 OPS. 
• Saul Gonzalez, acquired at the deadline from the New York Mets in exchange for Mychal Givens, started the game for Myrtle Beach. The 6'7" righty gave up one run over two innings, striking out three.
• Liam Spence went 2-for-3 with a home run and a walk. The home run was the first baseman's third of the season.

Transactions:

• There were no transactions in the organization on Sunday.