Alexander Canario Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

AB	2
AVG	.5
OBP	.5
SLG	1
HR	0

Full name Alexander Canario
Born 05/07/2000 in Montecristi, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 165 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 45/Medium

Track Record: Canario signed with the Giants for $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic and began flashing huge power once he got to Low-A. The Cubs acquired him with righthander Caleb Kilian for Kris Bryant at the 2021 trade deadline. Canario finished second in the minors with 37 home runs in 2022, but he suffered a fractured ankle and dislocated shoulder in the Dominican Winter League. He missed the first two months of the 2023 season recovering, but he eventually returned. He received his first big league callup in September, when he hit a grand slam against the Pirates for his first career homer.

Scouting Report: Canario is a strong, physical righthanded hitter who can send balls a mile. His electric bat speed and torque generate plus power to all fields and allow him to drive balls even when he’s off-balance. He crushes fastballs in particular and catches up to them at any velocity. Canario’s power is massive, but he’s an aggressive free swinger with a raw approach. He chases righthanded sliders and is a streaky hitter prone to alternating hot and cold. He projects to be a below-average hitter and has to improve his approach to fulfill his 30-homer potential. Canario has regained his above-average speed after his injuries and is an above-average right fielder with a plus arm.

The Future: Canario has a chance to be a slugging everyday right fielder if he tightens his approach. He should see the majors again in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Canario signed with the Giants for $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic and didn't reach full-season ball until five years after he signed, but the Cubs were intrigued by his massive power potential and acquired him as part of the return for Kris Bryant at the 2021 trade deadline. Canario broke out in 2022 with 37 home runs, second-most in the minor leagues, and he rocketed from High-A to Triple-A, but his season ended on a down note when he suffered a fractured ankle and dislocated shoulder in the Dominican Winter League after he stepped awkwardly on first base and fell to the ground.

Scouting Report: Canario is a strong, physical hitter with the most power in the Cubs system. His electric bat speed and impressive torque produce plus-plus power to all fields, including gargantuan home runs to his pull-side. He makes hard contact even when he's off-balance and is a constant threat to change games with one swing. Canario crushes balls when he connects, but he's an aggressive free swinger and frequently gets himself out by swinging at bad pitches. He is prone to chasing fastballs above the zone and breaking balls out of the zone and projects to be a well below-average hitter. Canario is a threat to steal bases with his above-average speed and is an above-average defender in right field with a plus arm. He is a good athlete and can play center field as needed.

The Future: Canario projects to be a low-average slugger who racks up homers and strikeouts. His big league debut may come in 2023 depending on how quickly he recovers from his offseason injuries.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 60. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
Track Record: Canario signed with the Giants for $60,000 and quickly surpassed many players who signed for larger bonuses. He starred in both the Rookie-level Arizona League and short-season Northwest League before being invited to the Giants alternate training site in 2020, and he impressed against older competition. Canario scuffled in his full-season debut with Low-A San Jose in 2021, but the Cubs still acquired him with righthander Caleb Kilian at the trade deadline for Kris Bryant.

Scouting Report: Canario looks the part of a major leaguer with a physical, 6-foot-1 frame, good athleticism for his size and loads of strength. He has plus-plus bat speed and generates impressive torque when he rotates to produce plus-plus raw power to all fields. He hits the ball hard even when he’s off-balance. Canario’s power is prodigious, but he is prone to overswinging and chasing breaking balls in the dirt. His poor plate discipline limits him to a below-average hitter who may struggle to get to his power in games. Canario is an aggressive defender who plays hard in the outfield. He fits best in right field with his above-average speed and plus, accurate arm.

The Future: Canario’s power gives him a carrying tool if he can get to it. He finished in High-A South Bend and may return there to start 2022.
Hitting: 40. Power: 60. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Canario signed for $60,000 in 2016 and slowly worked his way through the system before breaking out in 2019. He hit .301/.365/.539 at short-season Salem-Keizer despite playing through a sprained left shoulder. Canario spent 2020 at the alternate training site and went to instructional league in the fall, where he dislocated the same shoulder while playing the outfield. He had surgery to repair a torn labrum.

SCOUTING REPORT: When Canario connects, he tends to do damage. He has plus raw power and ranked among the Giants’ leaders in home runs and OPS during his breakout 2019. The biggest question is his plate discipline. Canario can be far too eager to swing, especially with two strikes. With that in mind, his work at the alternate site involved developing a more concrete plan and staying calm when behind in the count. Canario has plenty of work to do on defense. He has plenty of arm strength to stick in right field and the above-average speed to cover ground, but he does not get good jumps or reads and needs a lot more polish.

THE FUTURE: Canario is not expected to be ready for spring training. Once he recovers from his surgery, he will head to one of the organization’s Class A affiliates.
TRACK RECORD: Canario signed with the Giants for $60,000 and quickly proved his worth with an intriguing blend of speed, power and athleticism.

SCOUTING REPORT: Much like Hunter Bishop, with whom he was teammates in Salem-Keizer, Canario has serious swing-and-miss issues. He's extremely prone to chasing pitches when he gets to two strikes and posted a strikeout rate of 32.4 percent in the short-season Northwest League. If he learns to be more selective, however, the sky is the limit. His bat speed is the best in the organization and his stroke is flat through the zone. Those two qualities lead to plenty of extra-base impact when he makes contact, and a little more lift in his swing would turn doubles off the wall into majestic home runs. Canario plays center field now but nobody expects him to stay there because his route-running and poor reads on flyballs haven't improved over three pro seasons. He has a plus arm to profile in right field and above-average speed as well. Scouts also praise the fun-loving attitude Canario takes with him to the plate and in the field as well.

THE FUTURE: After showing off his tools and his flaws for a half-season in the Northwest League, Canario will take his talents to full-season ball in 2020. He has the ceiling of a corner outfielder with a coveted blend of power and speed.
Track Record: The Giants signed Canario for just $60,000 in 2016, which may turn out to be one of the franchise's better investments in recent memory. After spending 2017 in the Dominican Summer League, Canario made his stateside debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2018. He got off to a slow start in the AZL, but caught fire in July, when he posted a 1.030 OPS and hit four of his six home runs.

Scouting Report: Helped by his above-average speed and arm strength, Canario has the chance to be an above-average defender in center field. There are some who project him to move to right field, where his arm and power would profile well, but the Giants have liked what they've seen from Canario in center field. He has above-average or even plus range, although he is still raw when it comes to route running and defensive instincts. The 18-year-old Canario has above-average raw power and should grow into more. After showing an advanced feel for the strike zone in the DSL, Canario's strikeout rate jumped from 14.6 percent in 2017 to nearly 25 percent in the AZL. His swing gets long when he tries to sell out for more power, but overall he has an advanced approach at the plate and increased his walk rate to 13 percent in 2018.

The Future: The next step for Canario is the short-season Northwest League. He'll need to improve his consistency, but the Giants are confident he has the raw tools necessary to be an impact center fielder with above-average power and speed if he can iron out his current kinks.
Canario has yet to play a game in the U.S., but a pretty convincing case can be made that other than Heliot Ramos, he has the highest ceiling in the Giants' farm system. Canario signed for less than $100,000 in 2016, but he's already demonstrated a rare blend of speed, athleticism and feel to hit. Canario hit five home runs in 2017 while his 18 other Dominican Summer League teammates combined to hit 10, and he was the MVP of the league's all-star game. His above-average bat speed is what allows him to drive the ball even though he hasn't filled out, but his plus speed, athletic frame and chance to stick in center field are equally notable. His swing will get long when he goes hunting for home runs, but when he's at his best, he's short to the ball and shows good pitch recognition for his age. He primarily played right field in the DSL (and had seven assists thanks to an above-average arm) but his long-term home is in center. Canario is ready to come to the U.S. in 2018 and could rocket up this list in the next couple of years.

Minor League Top Prospects

Signed for just $60,000, Canario is already looking like a sound investment. He was blessed with one of the best tool sets in the league, and he has sky-high upside if he can make adjustments as he moves up the ladder. Enhancing his command of the strike zone will be firmly atop his to-do list entering the 2020 season. Canario finished 2019 with a strikeout rate of nearly 33.9 percent, but he still hit for average, got on base and showed power. As one evaluator put it, "When he stays in the strike zone, he has unique ability to do damage on the baseball.” A scout who saw the league noted his tendency to stride open from an already-open stance, which will require cleaning up as well. Managers and scouts alike give Canario the chance to stick in center field, where average speed and a solid arm will complement his sound instincts and make him at least average.
The Giants may have gotten one of the bigger bargains of the 2016 international class in Canario for a $60,000 bonus. After a strong Dominican Summer League season in 2017, Canario started slowly in the Arizona League before a torrid July in which he posted a 1.030 OPS while hitting four of his six home runs. All five of Canario’s tools grade as average or better, with future plus power and above-average bat speed. There’s explosiveness in his lower half, and he gets good leverage in his swing, although his approach is inconsistent when he tries to do too much. A center fielder for now, Canario profiles better in right field as his solid-average to above-average arm should develop more strength with maturity. He’s an average runner out of the box, but better underway.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Canario signed with the Giants for $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic and didn't reach full-season ball until five years after he signed, but the Cubs were intrigued by his massive power potential and acquired him as part of the return for Kris Bryant at the 2021 trade deadline. Canario broke out in 2022 with 37 home runs, second-most in the minor leagues, and he rocketed from High-A to Triple-A, but his season ended on a down note when he suffered a fractured ankle and dislocated shoulder in the Dominican Winter League after he stepped awkwardly on first base and fell to the ground.

Scouting Report: Canario is a strong, physical hitter with the most power in the Cubs system. His electric bat speed and impressive torque produce plus-plus power to all fields, including gargantuan home runs to his pull-side. He makes hard contact even when he's off-balance and is a constant threat to change games with one swing. Canario crushes balls when he connects, but he's an aggressive free swinger and frequently gets himself out by swinging at bad pitches. He is prone to chasing fastballs above the zone and breaking balls out of the zone and projects to be a well below-average hitter. Canario is a threat to steal bases with his above-average speed and is an above-average defender in right field with a plus arm. He is a good athlete and can play center field as needed.

The Future: Canario projects to be a low-average slugger who racks up homers and strikeouts. His big league debut may come in 2023 depending on how quickly he recovers from his offseason injuries.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 60. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Canario signed with the Giants for $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic and didn't reach full-season ball until five years after he signed, but the Cubs were intrigued by his massive power potential and acquired him as part of the return for Kris Bryant at the 2021 trade deadline. Canario broke out in 2022 with 37 home runs, second-most in the minor leagues, and he rocketed from High-A to Triple-A, but his season ended on a down note when he suffered a fractured ankle and dislocated shoulder in the Dominican Winter League after he stepped awkwardly on first base and fell to the ground.

Scouting Report: Canario is a strong, physical hitter with the most power in the Cubs system. His electric bat speed and impressive torque produce plus-plus power to all fields, including gargantuan home runs to his pull-side. He makes hard contact even when he's off-balance and is a constant threat to change games with one swing. Canario crushes balls when he connects, but he's an aggressive free swinger and frequently gets himself out by swinging at bad pitches. He is prone to chasing fastballs above the zone and breaking balls out of the zone and projects to be a well below-average hitter. Canario is a threat to steal bases with his above-average speed and is an above-average defender in right field with a plus arm. He is a good athlete and can play center field as needed.

The Future: Canario projects to be a low-average slugger who racks up homers and strikeouts. His big league debut may come in 2023 depending on how quickly he recovers from his offseason injuries.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 60. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record:: Canario signed with the Giants for $60,000 and quickly surpassed many players who signed for larger bonuses. He starred in both the Rookie-level Arizona League and short-season Northwest League before being invited to the Giants alternate training site in 2020, and he impressed against older competition. Canario scuffled in his full-season debut with Low-A San Jose in 2021, but the Cubs still acquired him with righthander Caleb Kilian at the trade deadline for Kris Bryant.

Scouting Report: Canario looks the part of a major leaguer with a physical, 6-foot-1 frame, good athleticism for his size and loads of strength. He has plus-plus bat speed and generates impressive torque when he rotates to produce plus-plus raw power to all fields. He hits the ball hard even when he&#39s off-balance. Canario&#39s power is prodigious, but he is prone to overswinging and chasing breaking balls in the dirt. His poor plate discipline limits him to a below-average hitter who may struggle to get to his power in games. Canario is an aggressive defender who plays hard in the outfield. He fits best in right field with his above-average speed and plus, accurate arm.

The Future: Canario&#39s power gives him a carrying tool if he can get to it. He finished in High-A South Bend and may return there to start 2022.
Track Record: Canario signed with the Giants for $60,000 and quickly surpassed many players who signed for larger bonuses. He starred in both the Rookie-level Arizona League and short-season Northwest League before being invited to the Giants alternate training site in 2020, and he impressed against older competition. Canario scuffled in his full-season debut with Low-A San Jose in 2021, but the Cubs still acquired him with righthander Caleb Kilian at the trade deadline for Kris Bryant.

Scouting Report: Canario looks the part of a major leaguer with a physical, 6-foot-1 frame, good athleticism for his size and loads of strength. He has plus-plus bat speed and generates impressive torque when he rotates to produce plus-plus raw power to all fields. He hits the ball hard even when he’s off-balance. Canario’s power is prodigious, but he is prone to overswinging and chasing breaking balls in the dirt. His poor plate discipline limits him to a below-average hitter who may struggle to get to his power in games. Canario is an aggressive defender who plays hard in the outfield. He fits best in right field with his above-average speed and plus, accurate arm.

The Future: Canario’s power gives him a carrying tool if he can get to it. He finished in High-A South Bend and may return there to start 2022.
Hitting: 40. Power: 60. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Canario signed for $60,000 in 2016 and slowly worked his way through the system before breaking out in 2019. He hit .301/.365/.539 at short-season Salem-Keizer despite playing through a sprained left shoulder. Canario spent 2020 at the alternate training site and went to instructional league in the fall, where he dislocated the same shoulder while playing the outfield. He had surgery to repair a torn labrum. Canario was included in the Giants-Cubs Kris Bryant deal at the 2021 trade deadline.

SCOUTING REPORT: When Canario connects, he tends to do damage. He has plus raw power and ranked among the Giants' leaders in home runs and OPS during his breakout 2019. The biggest question is his plate discipline. Canario can be far too eager to swing, especially with two strikes. With that in mind, his work at the alternate site involved developing a more concrete plan and staying calm when behind in the count. Canario has plenty of work to do on defense. He has plenty of arm strength to stick in right field and the above-average speed to cover ground, but he does not get good jumps or reads and needs a lot more polish.

THE FUTURE: Canario is not expected to be ready for spring training. Once he recovers from his surgery, he will head to one of the organization's Class A affiliates.
Hitting: 40. Power: 60. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Canario signed for $60,000 in 2016 and slowly worked his way through the system before breaking out in 2019. He hit .301/.365/.539 at short-season Salem-Keizer despite playing through a sprained left shoulder. Canario spent 2020 at the alternate training site and went to instructional league in the fall, where he dislocated the same shoulder while playing the outfield. He had surgery to repair a torn labrum.

SCOUTING REPORT: When Canario connects, he tends to do damage. He has plus raw power and ranked among the Giants’ leaders in home runs and OPS during his breakout 2019. The biggest question is his plate discipline. Canario can be far too eager to swing, especially with two strikes. With that in mind, his work at the alternate site involved developing a more concrete plan and staying calm when behind in the count. Canario has plenty of work to do on defense. He has plenty of arm strength to stick in right field and the above-average speed to cover ground, but he does not get good jumps or reads and needs a lot more polish.

THE FUTURE: Canario is not expected to be ready for spring training. Once he recovers from his surgery, he will head to one of the organization’s Class A affiliates.
Hitting: 40. Power: 60. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Canario signed for $60,000 in 2016 and slowly worked his way through the system before breaking out in 2019. He hit .301/.365/.539 at short-season Salem-Keizer despite playing through a sprained left shoulder. Canario spent 2020 at the alternate training site and went to instructional league in the fall, where he dislocated the same shoulder while playing the outfield. He had surgery to repair a torn labrum.

SCOUTING REPORT: When Canario connects, he tends to do damage. He has plus raw power and ranked among the Giants’ leaders in home runs and OPS during his breakout 2019. The biggest question is his plate discipline. Canario can be far too eager to swing, especially with two strikes. With that in mind, his work at the alternate site involved developing a more concrete plan and staying calm when behind in the count. Canario has plenty of work to do on defense. He has plenty of arm strength to stick in right field and the above-average speed to cover ground, but he does not get good jumps or reads and needs a lot more polish.

THE FUTURE: Canario is not expected to be ready for spring training. Once he recovers from his surgery, he will head to one of the organization’s Class A affiliates.
TRACK RECORD: Canario signed with the Giants for $60,000 and quickly proved his worth with an intriguing blend of speed, power and athleticism.

SCOUTING REPORT: Much like Hunter Bishop, with whom he was teammates in Salem-Keizer, Canario has serious swing-and-miss issues. He’s extremely prone to chasing pitches when he gets to two strikes and posted a strikeout rate of 32.4 percent in the short-season Northwest League. If he learns to be more selective, however, the sky is the limit. His bat speed is the best in the organization and his stroke is flat through the zone. Those two qualities lead to plenty of extra-base impact when he makes contact, and a little more lift in his swing would turn doubles off the wall into majestic home runs. Canario plays center field now but nobody expects him to stay there because his route-running and poor reads on flyballs haven’t improved over three pro seasons. He has a plus arm to profile in right field and above-average speed as well. Scouts also praise the fun-loving attitude Canario takes with him to the plate and in the field as well.

THE FUTURE: After showing off his tools and his flaws for a half-season in the Northwest League, Canario will take his talents to full-season ball in 2020. He has the ceiling of a corner outfielder with a coveted blend of power and speed.
TRACK RECORD: Canario signed with the Giants for $60,000 and quickly proved his worth with an intriguing blend of speed, power and athleticism.

SCOUTING REPORT: Much like Hunter Bishop, with whom he was teammates in Salem-Keizer, Canario has serious swing-and-miss issues. He's extremely prone to chasing pitches when he gets to two strikes and posted a strikeout rate of 32.4 percent in the short-season Northwest League. If he learns to be more selective, however, the sky is the limit. His bat speed is the best in the organization and his stroke is flat through the zone. Those two qualities lead to plenty of extra-base impact when he makes contact, and a little more lift in his swing would turn doubles off the wall into majestic home runs. Canario plays center field now but nobody expects him to stay there because his route-running and poor reads on flyballs haven't improved over three pro seasons. He has a plus arm to profile in right field and above-average speed as well. Scouts also praise the fun-loving attitude Canario takes with him to the plate and in the field as well.

THE FUTURE: After showing off his tools and his flaws for a half-season in the Northwest League, Canario will take his talents to full-season ball in 2020. He has the ceiling of a corner outfielder with a coveted blend of power and speed.
Signed for just $60,000, Canario is already looking like a sound investment. He was blessed with one of the best tool sets in the league, and he has sky-high upside if he can make adjustments as he moves up the ladder. Enhancing his command of the strike zone will be firmly atop his to-do list entering the 2020 season. Canario finished 2019 with a strikeout rate of nearly 33.9 percent, but he still hit for average, got on base and showed power. As one evaluator put it, "When he stays in the strike zone, he has unique ability to do damage on the baseball.” A scout who saw the league noted his tendency to stride open from an already-open stance, which will require cleaning up as well. Managers and scouts alike give Canario the chance to stick in center field, where average speed and a solid arm will complement his sound instincts and make him at least average.

Career Transactions

Chicago Cubs optioned LF Alexander Canario to Iowa Cubs.
LF Alexander Canario assigned to Iowa Cubs from South Bend Cubs.
LF Alexander Canario assigned to Iowa Cubs from South Bend Cubs.
LF Alexander Canario assigned to South Bend Cubs from Iowa Cubs.
LF Alexander Canario assigned to South Bend Cubs from Iowa Cubs.
Iowa Cubs sent LF Alexander Canario on a rehab assignment to ACL Cubs.
Iowa Cubs sent LF Alexander Canario on a rehab assignment to ACL Cubs.
Iowa Cubs transferred LF Alexander Canario from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
Iowa Cubs placed LF Alexander Canario on the 7-day injured list.
Chicago Cubs optioned LF Alexander Canario to Iowa Cubs.
Iowa Cubs activated LF Alexander Canario.