Detroit Tigers: Sergio Alcantara Arrives

The Tigers summoned shortstop Sergio Alcantara to Minnesota to serve as the 29th man on the roster during Friday’s doubleheader. Here’s what fans can expect from him.

Seven prospects have made their MLB debut for the Detroit Tigers this year, and Friday may see the arrival of two more. Outfielder Derek Hill was added to the roster on Wednesday after JaCoby Jones suffered a broken hand, and an ailing Niko Goodrum brings shortstop Sergio Alcantara to the active roster for the first time.

Sergio Alcantara’s Background

Sergio Alcantara signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an amateur free agent from the Dominican Republic, inking a six-figure deal in July, 2012. He jumped over the Dominican Summer League and began his pro career with the Rookie-level AZL D-backs in 2013, hitting .243 with impressive patience but little power in 48 games. It was pretty much the same story in 2014 at Rookie-level Missoula, when he hit .244 with a .297 slugging percentage in 70 games, but he was rewarded with a 20-game trial at Low-A Kane County at the end of the season.

An injury disrupted Alcantara’s 2016 season, but he still managed to hit .284 in 79 games across four levels. He was assigned to class High-A Visalia in 2017 and he had his best pro season yet, batting .279/.344/.362 with three home runs. He was traded to Detroit that July, along with fellow infielders Dawel Lugo and Jose King, for J.D. Martinez, and he hit just .230 in 35 games with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Alcantara spent the last two seasons in Double-A Erie, batting a combined .261 over 222 games, with 3 home runs, 90 walks, 166 strikeouts, and 15 steals in 26 tries.

Sergio Alcantara Scouting Report

As you may have inferred from his less-than-stellar offensive numbers, Sergio Alcantara is mostly known for his defense. He’s a short switch-hitter with good bat-to-ball skills and a decent approach at the plate, but his total lack of power severely limits his offensive potential. Alcantara will hit the occasional grounder down the line that turns into a double, but he has just 9 home runs in 631 career games, and would likely hit fewer than 5 in a full MLB season. His speed is just average, and he’s not particularly good at stealing bases. Alcantara’s overall offensive profile may remind some Tigers fans of Ramon Santiago.

Ahh, but that defense. Depending on who you ask, Alcantara is either the best or second-best shortstop defender (behind Cole Peterson) in Detroit’s system. He isn’t quite to the level of Jose Iglesias, but Alcantara can make every play at shortstop. He has terrific instincts, good quickness, and excellent footwork. Alcantara is an easy plus defender at shortstop, and he also owns a double-plus cannon of an arm that he enjoys flashing.

Sergio Alcantara Expectations

Sergio Alcantara probably won’t get the start at shortstop any time soon, but we could see him come in as a defensive replacement at shortstop or third base if the Tigers have the lead. He could also be used as a pinch runner, but the most likely outcome is we don’t see him at all and he returns to the taxi squad. If he does get action in the field, be on the lookout for some fun defense and that strong arm.