James Triantos
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| Photo: MLB.com |
Bio:
Age: 20
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 195 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia
Draft Profile: 2nd round, 56th pick of the 2021 draft by the Chicago Cubs
Drafted Out of: James Madison High School (Vienna, VA)
Career Stat Line: .286 AVG .351 OBP 16 HR 94 RBI 31 SB 0.914 Fielding %
Couldn't make it through a whole season of Minor League Spotlight's without getting a Cub on this list, so this week we're going to focus this week on infielder James Triantos. The kid plays a little second and can man the hot corner, plus he's got a little pop in his bat and pep in his step. Definitely an intriguing prospect, from nearby Fairfax, Virginia!
It didn't take long for James to catch the eyes on a national level, verbally committing to the University of North Carolina in the summer of 2018-- prior to ever playing high school ball (Washington Post). His subsequent freshman campaign at St. John's College was one that'd get the Tar Heel faithful excited, with the two-way player posting a .495 batting average with 39 RBI at the dish to pair with a 6-0 record and minute 0.44 ERA on the mound. His efforts earned him a first team All-Metro nomination.
From there, Triantos would take his talents to 6A James Madison High School, just forty minutes southeast of St. John's. His success would travel with him into his sophomore season, as well as the summer after, where he was a prominent member of the Canes National 17U team. Canes ventured to Emerson, Georgia for the Perfect Game World Wood Baseball Association competition, which features a whopping 1,362 baseball games in just an eight day period (Perfect Game). At the end of the extended week stretch, James and the boys left with an undefeated 12-0 record and a championship.
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| Photo: Canes National 17U |
COVID stole what would've surely been an impressive junior season from Triantos, but when he got back on the diamond for Madison as a senior...he was a different kind of animal. The 12th grader ripped a ridiculous .712/11/27 line with a video game-like 2.377 OPS in just 19 games for the Warhawks (Max Preps). On the mound, he was equally dominant, going 8-0 with a 0.85 ERA and 4.8:1 K:BB ratio.
After powering their way through the state playoffs, Madison head coach Mark Gjormund trusted him to start their Finals game on just four days rest. "He said, 'Coach, come on. No chance. That's my game," Gjormand recalled, still chuckling. "He's like, 'I'm starting that game.' And he goes, 'And I'm finishing that game. I've waited my whole life for that."
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| Photo: Terrance Williams/ Washington Post |
His confidence was rewarded in spades. In addition to a third inning home run at the dish, the eighteen year old took a perfect game into the final frame of the championship game, before surrendering a base hit to center field with one out in the seventh. He responded by striking out the next two batters and securing the title for his program (MLB.com).
Just a few months later, the 2021 MLB draft was upon us. Scouts were split on where James fit best positionally. Some suggested he had starting pitcher potential, with a wicked slider in the low 90's and good control. Others believed his hit tools were too advanced to take out of the lineup; opening up the question on which infield position he'd be most successful at long term (Perfect Game).
After working out for the Orioles, Cubs, Red Sox and Rangers, it was a waiting game for Triantos. Would he be following through with his commitment to UNC, or taking the first step in his professional baseball journey?
That answer would come Monday, July 12th, as the Chicago Cubs selected the recent high school graduate with the 56th pick overall in the 2021 draft. Both sides agreed to a $2.1 million dollar signing bonus-- a pretty significant amount more than the 56th's slotted $1.3 million (Cubs Central)-- and he was off to Florida to begin his career.
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| Photo: James Triantos |
James would spend the rest of 2021 in the FCL, playing 25 games for the Cubs' complex team. He struck out in five of his first twelve at bats while there, but turned things around quickly, ultimately posting .327/.376/.594 slashes with six home runs and 19 RBI. His walk rate of 6.4% was a little lower than desired, but everything else he was bringing at the plate backed up the pre-draft hype.
Conway, South Carolina would be the location of Triantos' first full professional season. As a member of Class A Myrtle Beach, the second rounder did experience a slight dip in production, watching his average drop down to a still-respectable .272. He played exclusively on the hot corner as well, only managing a .900 fielding percentage, with 19 errors in 190 total chances. The power didn't quite translate up either as many hoped, with only seven long balls in 113 games. But his walk rates improved to 7.7% and he added twenty stolen bases for the Pelicans; far from a discouraging display from a kid almost two years younger than his competition (MiLB.com). Really nice guy too, took the time to chat and sign a ball prior to a game at Delmarva.
Chicago's 11th ranked prospect has spent 2023 on the High-A South Bend Cubs. He missed the first five weeks of the season after undergoing surgery on his meniscus in March (CBS Sports), but hasn't skipped a beat since his return. He's currently slashing .298/3/25 with an even walk to strikeout ratio. The organization has shifted him to second base full time as well, where he's improved defensively.
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| Photo: South Bend Cubs |
It feels like the game's starting to slow down for Triantos, which is a dangerous proposition for opposing pitchers. As he settles into a defensive position and adapts to the speed of each level of competition, the traits that made him such a high draft pick are starting to stand out. We anticipate he'll be tasting AA Tennessee action by the end of the season. If all goes well, there's a real possibility we see him in Wrigley by the end of 2024. Here at Chopping Lines, we're pulling for the local guy!
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@Choppinglines
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