Chicago Cubs 2024 Offseason Top 20 Prospects: No. 7, James Triantos

[Bertz]

There's very little Madrigal in Triantos.  Madrigal is a unicorn in both good ways and bad, Triantos is not a common archetype, but he's not really extreme at anything.

I think Amed Rosario is a good comp for a "disappointing but still a quality major leaguer" type of outcome for Triantos.  James seems unlikely to even be allowed the attempt to fake it at shortstop like Rosario has, but he's also going to rack up a lot more steals.  Would still end up in that same ~1.5 WAR range.

[Donzo]

What has me confused on Triantos is his original scouting report from when he was drafted. He was a no tools (50 power & 45 run), a no defence (45) HS hitter taken in the 2nd round. I didn’t like it at all. 

Three years later he’s a fast, high end fielder.

How did he turn into a fast, high end fielding prospect that made it to AAA at 21? Was the scouting report junk, or did he develop skills?

Edited December 10, 2024 by Donzo

[Tim]

46 minutes ago, Donzo said:

What has me confused on Triantos is his original scouting report from when he was drafted. He was a no tools (50 power & 45 run), a no defence (45) HS hitter taken in the 2nd round. I didn’t like it at all. 

Three years later he’s a fast, high end fielder.

How did he turn into a fast, high end fielding prospect that made it to AAA at 21? Was the scouting report junk, or did he develop skills?

Wasn't he a multi-sport athlete? I was always confused why someone that athletic wasn't a better defender.

[Jason Ross]

1 hour ago, Donzo said:

What has me confused on Triantos is his original scouting report from when he was drafted. He was a no tools (50 power & 45 run), a no defence (45) HS hitter taken in the 2nd round. I didn’t like it at all. 

Three years later he’s a fast, high end fielder.

How did he turn into a fast, high end fielding prospect that made it to AAA at 21? Was the scouting report junk, or did he develop skills?

James Triantos wasn't supposed to be one of the biggest HS prep-guys headed into the draft. He had a great senior year, rose up the boards. There's just a ton of prep guys so some of these players just don't get a ton of abilities to be seen. He might have been seen once or twice and if it wasn't his best day...

As well, evaluators tend to be pretty neutral with the younger hitters, tending to gives grades more so in that 50-55 range, I feel. They're just so young and many are pretty bearish on outcomes until they start to show something (conversely every prospect on MLB.com feels like an all-star). 

With that said, here's what BA had on him:

Quote

Triantos is a bat-first infielder whom scouts think could develop into a plus hitter with solid power potential. He swings with intent, has solid bat speed and has improved his body over the offseason, though he's filled out at the moment and doesn't project for a ton more physically.

 

[Donzo]

55 minutes ago, Tim said:

Wasn't he a multi-sport athlete? I was always confused why someone that athletic wasn't a better defender.

I don't know about other sports. i know he graduated early to go to UNC, then they Cubs drafted him in 2nd round and offered a big bonus to sign.

He was tried at 3B, it was bad. He's been at 2B the last two years and figured it out I guess?!? I remember him hurting his knee early in 2023, maybe in the spring even. He dealt with that the whole year. I guess he was just healthy last year and  got comfortable at 2B. He was able to show off his speed and big improvement at 2B.

[Donzo]

41 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

James Triantos wasn't supposed to be one of the biggest HS prep-guys headed into the draft. He had a great senior year, rose up the boards. There's just a ton of prep guys so some of these players just don't get a ton of abilities to be seen. He might have been seen once or twice and if it wasn't his best day...

As well, evaluators tend to be pretty neutral with the younger hitters, tending to gives grades more so in that 50-55 range, I feel. They're just so young and many are pretty bearish on outcomes until they start to show something (conversely every prospect on MLB.com feels like an all-star). 

With that said, here's what BA had on him:

 

Makes sense, thanks.

I've been going off MLBs top 30 on Cubs.com. This was the tools report: