Northern Virginia’s Newest Major Leaguer
James Triantos’ Journey to the Chicago Cubs
By MARIANNE BANE
For many young baseball players, making it to the Major Leagues is the dream. For James Triantos, that dream started on fields much closer to home.
Born in Fairfax and raised in Vienna, Triantos grew up playing baseball in Northern Virginia before becoming a standout at James Madison High School. There, his talent, versatility, and work ethic helped lead the Warhawks to a Virginia Class 6 state championship and established him as one of the nation’s top high school prospects.
From Vienna to Professional Baseball
After graduation, Triantos had a big decision to make. He had committed to play baseball at the University of North Carolina, but when the Chicago Cubs selected him in the second round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft, the opportunity to pursue his professional dream arrived sooner than expected.
He chose baseball.
Over the next several years, Triantos worked his way through the Cubs’ minor league system, developing his game and proving his versatility across the infield. With each step, he moved a little closer to the goal he had been working toward since his days playing here in Northern Virginia.
The Call to the Major Leagues
This season, that work paid off when the Cubs called him up to the Major Leagues.
For Triantos, it marked an incredible personal milestone. Back home, it also gave Northern Virginia something to celebrate.
There is something special about watching an athlete who grew up in our community reach baseball’s biggest stage. His journey is a reminder that extraordinary stories can begin on neighborhood fields and high school diamonds, supported along the way by families, coaches, teammates, and communities.
And for the young athletes around Vienna dreaming of where the game might take them someday, they now have a hometown example.
From James Madison High School to Wrigley Field, James Triantos is one of Northern Virginia’s own—and his story may only be getting started.
