Former Cubs, A’s and Reds infielder Arismendy Alcantara has signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Nippon Professional Baseball, per a team announcement (via Yahoo Japan). It’ll be the first stint in Japan for the one-time top prospect.
Heading into the 2014 season, Alcantara ranked among the sport’s top 100 prospects at Baseball America, MLB.com and Baseball Prospectus (among other outlets). At the time, the switch-hitter was fresh off a 15-homer, 31-steal performance in Double-A as a 21-year-old. Alcantara was viewed as a potential long-term option at Wrigley Field, but he’s yet to find much success at the MLB level.
Now 30 years of age, Alcantara has spent parts of four seasons in the Majors — albeit none since his 2017 campaign in Cincinnati. He’s a career .189/.235/.315 hitter in 459 Major League trips to the plate, but Alcantara has a nice Triple-A track record, including a big showing with the Giants’ top affiliate this past season. In 255 plate appearances with Triple-A Sacramento in 2021, he posted a .280/.337/.586 slash with 17 home runs, 10 doubles and five triples.
Alcantara has played all over the diamond as a professional, appearing at every position other than first base and catcher. The vast majority of his work has come up the middle, with 4053 innings at second base, 3311 innings at shortstop and 1207 innings in center field. He’ll give the Fighters some cover at multiple positions, and given that he only recently turned 30, a Major League comeback at some point down the road isn’t out of the question if he takes his game to a new level overseas.
birdsfan415
so many players signing in NPB for next year, gonna be fun to watch
ramx
It happens every year, but mlbtraderumors didn’t pay much attention because there wasn’t a lockout.
Ron Tingley
Is there a limit on foreign born players? Or is that the kbo
niel.marshal
In Japan, each teams can only play 3 foreign player. Thats why NPB teams can sign a lot forign player mostly pitcher. For hitter, the usually only sign 2. Japan Series champion this year Yakult have 7 foreign player in their roster. Kelyn Jose, Scott Mcgough, Cy Sneed, Albert Suarez, Rick Vanderhurk, Domingo Santana and Jose Osuna.
KBO in the other hand, each teams can only have and play 3 foreign player
ray1
Ham Fighters! Love that name!
Sid Bream Speed Demon
Not to burst your bubble, but the team is sponsored by Nippon Ham, and they are called the Fighters.
Ham Fighter
Stop being a buzz kill. The team are fighting pigs sword and shield!
Ron Tingley
Yeah what he said..
Bart Harley Jarvis
Okay, so are the Royals sponsored by the city of Kansas City or are the City Royals sponsored by the state of Kansas? This could be a game changer!
thats it fort pitt
Do the Ham Fighters have more MLB-level talent than Orioles or Pirates? Maybe.
MasterShake
He played at triple A last season, sounds like he was doing more than just sitting home watching TV for 5 years, stop projecting it’s not a good look.
Sid Bream Speed Demon
Why are you so up in your feelings? No one made it sound like he was just sitting at home. If you read what was written and that was your takeaway, that is your own fault.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Too much shaking imo.
HBan22
I always thought this guy had a pretty cool name. Good luck to him, it’d be a good comeback story if he ever makes it back to MLB.
CubsWin108
totally forgot about this guy, wished he could”ve lived up to his pontential.
hiflew
Or maybe he did and everyone else just overhyped him. Being a utility infielder for a couple of years at the big league level is still an AMAZING accomplishment.
Bart Harley Jarvis
For me, the hyphen between Nippon and Ham eliminates a lot of confusion going back years. Apparently, these Fighters represent the good citizens of Nippon-Ham, and are not just skirmishing over cured pork products.
davidk1979
The ad on this site is perfect
Rbase
I’m wondering if some bigger names will be temped to sign in the npb. Someone like Soler for example if he isn’t offered a regular role could be a huge star in Japan
cleribe
It would be amazing but, and I could be mistaken, I think there is a 1 million max guarantee for first year foreign players. That makes me think that most guys will hold out for post lockout contracts.
ramx
The 1 million max is only in KBO. NPB is a higher level and teams pay much better.
glassml
Wow that sure looks like Elvis Andrus in a Reds uniform
Rbase
Precursor of your 2023 SS
ramx
Nippon-Ham has been bad at selecting their foreign hitters the last few years. Ronny Rodriguez, Christian Villanueva, Wang Po Jung… There are better options than Alcantara at AAA/Independent
Sabean Wannabe
That’s too bad. As a Giant’s fan I thought he was a solid depth piece. Good luck to him in finding greener pastures. Will Wilson, you are up next!
frankf
Go forth, old friend, and do your part in the fight against Ham.
Bart Harley Jarvis
Jeez, I assumed they were fighter for Ham. Interesting…
nentwigs
MISSED IT BY THAT [ = ] MUCH !!
According to informed sources, The Marlins were in on Arismendy Alcantara right up until he signed the deal to join the Fighters.. The Marlins made a “strong” offer, but not one that matched the Fighters’ financial commitment. The Marlins weren’t the only team to be outbid.
The Minnesota Twins had also been linked to Alcantara.