Cubs prospect notes: Vogelbach, Alcantara and Pierce Johnson

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As The Plan comes to fruition in Chicago, it's easy for Cubs fans to wonder what - or who- is next.

Kris Bryant and Addison Russell are already up. Javier Baez is back on track at Iowa. Carl Edwards Jr. (formerly C.J. Edwards) is adjusting well to his new bullpen role with a 2.66 ERA and 13.7 K/9.

Joe Maddon already said Kyle Schwarber - who is posting a 1.020 OPS in 42 games at Double-A this season - could be a bat that helps the Cubs late in 2015.

But what about Dan Vogelbach? Pierce Johnson? Arismendy Alcantara?

All three guys have made a name for themselves as under-the-radar prospects in the Cubs system.

[RELATED - Cubs see Addison Russell taking a big step forward]

Vogelbach is enjoying a breakout season with Double-A Tennessee, creating a bash brothers duo with Schwarber at the plate.

Vogelbach, 22, has posted a .320/.436/.497 slash line entering play Thursday, with a whopping 32 walks and only 38 strikeouts in 43 games. He also has 17 extra-base hits (12 doubles, one triple, four homers), 24 RBI and 21 runs.

The bat has never really been the problem for Vogelbach, who has an .865 OPS across his minor-league career since being taken in the second round of the 2011 MLB Draft (just after the Cubs selected Baez).

Vogelbach is listed at 6-foot, 250 pounds and with Anthony Rizzo locked up through at least 2019 at first base in Chicago, some wonder if Vogelbach could move to the outfield.

Cubs senior vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod shut that down Wednesday at Wrigley Field.

"With the mobility and only being a first baseman, we're not considering [a switch to the outfield] at this time," Jason McLeod said. "He's another kid who's had a phenomenal start to the season these first two months.

"Our plan is to leave him where he is, doing what he's doing right now."

The same can be said for Pierce Johnson, the injured right-hander considered to be one of the Cubs' Top 2 or 3 pitching prospects in the system.

[RELATED - Why Cubs think Javier Baez is in a good place in Iowa]

Johnson, 24, was shut down in spring training with a strained lat muscle and still has yet to report to a minor-league team while the Cubs try to get his back to cooperate.

McLeod said the Cubs are aiming for the first week of June for Johnson to rejoin Double-A Tennessee.

"He's been throwing down in extended spring training," McLeod said. "It's been a longer process than we had hoped with lower back soreness. But knock on wood right now, he'll be out early June."

Johnson has had trouble staying healthy since the Cubs took him in the supplemental first round of the Draft in 2012. He has only appeared in 49 games (46 starts) in his four pro seasons, tossing a combined 232 innings.

Johnson has had success when he has been on the mound, with a 16-11 record, 2.68 ERA and 9.2 K/9 throughout his career. Like Edwards, he could have been an option for a bullpen boost in Chicago late this season before the back injury erased the first two months of the campaign.

Alcantara began the season in Chicago, but had just one hit in 26 at-bats and was sent back down to Triple-A Iowa to right the ship.

That's exactly what he's been doing lately, with a .333 average and .973 OPS the last 10 games, including seven runs, two homers, five walks and a pair of stolen bases.

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The 23-year-old has lived up to his versatility again, moving all over the diamond with games at second, short, third, left field and center field for Iowa.

There may not be a chance for everyday playing time in the big leagues (especially depending on Baez's situation), but the Cubs view Alcantara as another guy who could provide a boost late in the season serving in a utility role.

"I think 'Mendy' is a guy, with his twitchiness and his athleticism, who can move around," McLeod said. "I think with him, coming up here last year, probably not expecting to be up here on a major-league team, I think it was a whirlwind for him. Certainly an eye-opening experience."

"Probably his confidence [suffered]; he was probably doubting himself a little bit. That's really what we're working with him on - believe in yourself, believe in your talent. And I think he'll come back up here later on."

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