Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

39 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (one slot is open), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL and one player has been DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT (DFA)   

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, three players are on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-23-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Hector Neris 
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
Christopher Morel
* Matt Mervis
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 9 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 3
Kyle Hendricks, P 
* Drew Smyly, P 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P

DFA: 1 
Garrett Cooper, 1B 
 





Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

2015 Cubs MLB First Year Player Draft Ticker Tracker

DAY ONE:


1st ROUND
 (9): 
Ian Happ, OF-IF
B/R, 6'0 205, Age 20
U. of Cincinnati 
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT::Has played all three outfield positions as well as 2nd base and 3rd base in his college career... considered to be one of the best college hitters in the 2015 draft, with a compact stroke and plus bat speed from both sides of the plate... hit 369/492/672 with 14 HR & 44 RBI, 18 doubles, 49 walks and 49 strikeouts, and 12 SB (8 CS), in 56 games (252 PA) for the Bearcats in 2015... .all-time Top 3 at University of Cincinnati in OBP and walks... 2015 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year... was ranked among the top prospects in the Cape Cod League (the top summer collegiate "wood-bat" league) by Baseball America the last two summers (ranked #2 by BA in 2013 when he was playing 2nd base, and #6 in 2014 after he moved to the outfield)... has average power and is an above-average baserunner, but has a slightly below-average arm... pro position still up in the air, but it will most-likely be either 2B or LF...  
2015 SIGNING BONUS POOL #9 SLOT VALUE: $3,351,000

2nd ROUND
 (47): 
Donnie Dewees, OF 
L/L, 5'11 180, Age 21 
U. of North Florida 
COLLEGE JR (REDSHIRT SOPH) 
COMMENT: Took medical redshirt in 2014 so he has two years of college eligibility left... missed most of the 2014 college baseball season with a wrist injury, but then was a Cape Cod League all-star with Hyannis Harbor last summer and that put him back on the prospect map for 2015...  hit 422/483/749 with 18 HR and 68 RBI, twelve doubles and eight triples, 23 SB (3 CS), 30 walks and 16 strikeouts, in 60 games (287 PA) for the Ospreys this season... while he has the speed & range needed to play CF, he also has a below-average arm... played both baseball and football in HS and was a member of National Honor Society...  
2015 SIGNING BONUS POOL #47 SLOT VALUE: $1,292,100


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


DAY TWO: 

3rd ROUND (82): 
Bryan Hudson, LHP 
L/L, 6'8, 220, Age 18 
Alton HS - Alton, IL 
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: U. of Missouri 
COMMENT: Played center on HS basketball team... throws upper 80's fastball that touches 92-93... curve ball is his best pitch... a "two-pitch pitcher" at this point... throws strikes... 
2015 SIGNING BONUS POOL #82 SLOT VALUE: $731,000

4th ROUND
 (113): 
D. J. Wilson, OF 
L/L, 5'8 177, Age 18 
Canton South HS - Canton, OH
COLLEGE COMMITMENT
: Vanderbilt 
COMMENT
: Fast runner and outstanding defender in CF... above-average bat speed & contact skills... 
2015 SIGNING BONUS POOL #113 SLOT VALUE: $503,100

5th ROUND (143):
Ryan Kellogg,. LHP
R/L, 6'6 230, Age 21
Arizona State
COLLEGE JR
COMMENT
MVP of Canadian Junior National team as a 17-year old in 2012... was selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 12th round of 2012 draft but did not sign... threw a no-hitter as a college freshman... three-time first-team All-Pac 12... gets lots of ground balls with 88-91 MPH two-seam fastball... second-best pitch is change-up... inconsistent breaking ball needs work... went 9-2 with a 3.60 ERA, allowing 121 hits (10 HR) with 23/72 BB/K in 115 IP (16 GS) for Sun Devils in 2015... is majoring in mechanical engineering at ASU...
2015 SIGNING BONUS POOL #143 SLOT VALUE: $376,700

6th ROUND
 (173): 
David Berg, RHP 
R/R, 6'0 190, Age 22 
UCLA
COLLEGE SR
COMMENT: "Rubber-arm" reliever set single-season college baseball saves record in 2013 and holds career appearances record... throws extreme sidearm/submarine... alternates an 83-85 MPH sinker that he throws with precision and a "Frisbee" slider chase-pitch... a member of Team USA in 2012 & 2013,... Pac-12 "Pitcher of the Year" in 2013... was selected by Texas Rangers in 17th round of 2014 draft but did not sign...  
2015 SIGNING BONUS POOL #173 SLOT VALUE: $281,900

7th ROUND
 (203): 
Craig Brooks, RHP 
R/R, 5'10 180, Age 22  
Catawba College 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Two-way player in college (RHP/3B)... ABCA National Pitcher of the Year in 2015 and SAC Pitcher of the Year in 2014... 9-1 with a 1.45 ERA, 156 OppBA, and 158 strikeouts in 99 IP on the mound for the Indians in 2015... Led NCAA D-2 in strikeouts (158) and strikeouts per nine innings pitched (14.35 K/9) in 2015... 
2015 SIGNING BONUS POOL #203 SLOT VALUE: $211,300

8th ROUND
 (233): 
Preston Morrison, RHP 
R/R, 6'2 185, Age 21 
TCU 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: 2014 Big 12 "Pitcher of the Year"...  11-3, 2.55 ERA, and .223 OppBA, with 93 hits (7 HR) allowed and 21/86 BB/K in 17 GAMES (16 GS) in 113 IP for Horned Frogs in 2015  
2015 SIGNING BONUS POOL #233 SLOT VALUE: $174,200

9th ROUND
 (263): 
Tyler Peitzmeier, LHP 
L/L, 6'2 210, Age 22 
Cal State - Fullerton  
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: 2015 1st team All-Big West... breaking ball is his strikeout pitch...  CSF closer... 3rd in NCAA D-1 in saves in 2015... went 5-3 with 16 saves and a 2.20 ERA, 52 hits (one HR) allowed, and 11/58 BB/K in 57.1 IP for Titans in 2015...    
2015 SIGNING BONUS POOL #263 SLOT VALUE: $162,800

10th ROUND
 (293): 
Vimael Machin, SS 
L/R, 511 185, Age 21 
Virginia Commonwealth U. 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Attended the Puerto Baseball Academy prior to enrolling at VCU... has strong contact skills at plate and is a reliable and sure-handed middle-infielder, but he has below-average power, is a below-average runner, and he has a below-average arm that will likely require a move to 2B in pro ball...  hit 369/401/441 with 13 doubles, two triples, three HR & 53 RBI in 65 games (294 PA) for the Rams in 2015... was selected by San Diego Padres in 29th round of 2011 draft but did not sign... 
2015 SIGNING BONUS POOL #293 SLOT VALUE: $152,000

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

DAY THREE

11th ROUND (323) 
Matt Rose, 1B 
R/R, 6'4 194, Age 20 
Georgia State 
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: Sun Belt Conference HR champ & first-team All-Sun Belt in 2015... hit 289/391/613 with 16 HR & 49 RBI, 16 doubles, and 31/43 BB/K in 53 games (243 PA) for Panthers in 2015... pre-season All-American... was a two-way player (3B/RHP) first two years at GSU, but elbow UCL sprain necessitated move to 1B this season (no TJS, however)...  has a long swing but is a very patient hitter... 

12th ROUND (353)
P. J. Higgins, C-INF  
R/R, 5;10, 185, Age 22 
Old Dominion U. 
COLLEGE JR
COMMENT: Played 2B-3B-C at ODU but is projected as a catcher at the pro level... Monarchs leading hitter in 2015, putting up a 335/402/452 line with 3 HR & 32 RBI, 19 doubles, and 25/16 BB/K in 56 games (265 PA)... contact hitter with little HR power and an opposite-field line-drive stroke but he can drive ball into gaps... 

13th ROUND (383)
Kyle Twomey, LHP 
L/L, 6'3 170, Age 21 
USC 
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: Selected by Oakland A's in 3rd round of 2012 draft but did not sign... 9-3 with a 2.87 ERA .255 OppBA, allowing 87 hits (only two HR) and 38/68 BB/K in 93.2 IP (16 GS) for Trojans in 2015... lefty workhorse features an upper 80's two-seamer with plus-movement that can touch 91, an above-average change-up, and a below-average curve... Ranked 14th-best prospect in Cape Cod League by Baseball America in 2014... 

14th ROUND 
(413)
Jake Kelzer, RHP 
R/R, 6'8 230, Age 21 
Indiana U. 
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT  4-5 with a 3.95 ERA, .237 OppBA, allowing 65 hits (4 HR) and 31/57 BB/K in 73.0 IP and 17 games (11 GS) for Hoosiers in 2015... 

15th ROUND 
(443)
Scott Effross, RHP 
R/R, 6'2 197, Age 21 
Indiana U.  
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: 4-4 with a 2.35 ERA and .217 OppBA, allowing 50 hits (3 HR) and 9/51 BB/K in 61.1 IP and 21 games (7 GS) for Hoosiers in 2015...  

16th ROUND 
(473)
Michael Foster
, IF-OF
R/R, 5'11, 184, Age 21 
Northeastern University 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Was a member of Canadian Junior National Team as a teenager... also was a champion swimmer... was selected by Houston Astros in 38th round of 2014 draft but did not sign... was a two-way player (RHP/SS) in college but projects as a CF in pro ball... led Huskies in batting average (343), OBP (.426), runs, hits, triples, walks, and SB (10) in 2015... is majoring in chemical engineering at Northeastern...  .. 

17th ROUND 
(503)
Casey Bloomquist, RHP 
R/R, 6'3 190, Age 21 
Cal Poly - SLO  
College JR 
COLLEGE: Athletic right-hander... two-way player (RHP/SS) in HS... works with three effective pitches, an 88-90 MPH sinker that touches 92, a slider, and a change-up... 8-2 with a 2.85 ERA and .251 OppBA, allowing 93 hits (no HR) and 29/78 BB/K in 98.0 IP (14 GS) for Mustangs in 2015...

18th ROUND (533)
John Cresto, 3B  
R/R, 6'3 210, Age 18 
Cathedral Catholic HS - San Diego, CA 
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Santa Clara U. 
COMMENT: Also plays beach volleyball... average arm but below average range as SS... projects as 3B in pro ball... expected to develop HR power as he matures... has volunteered at Outreach for Nazareth Orphanage in Tecate, Mexico...

19th ROUND (563)
Kyle Miller, RHP 
R/R, 6;2 165, Age 21 
Florida Atlantic U. 
COLLEGE JR
COMMENT: 7-3 with a 3.62 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, allowing 92 hits (4 HR) in 82.0 IP, with 18/62 BB/K for the Owls in 2015... 

20th ROUND (593) 
Blake Headley, 3B-1B 
L/R, 6'2 218, Age 22 
U. of Nebraska 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Hit 271/345/425 with 2 HR & 41 RBI, 18 doubles, and 26/39 BB/K in 56 games (256 PA) for Cornhuskers in 2015  

21st ROUND (623) 
Jared Cheek, RHP 
B/R, 5'11 180, Age 22 
U. of Georgia 
COLLEGE SENIOR 
COMMENT: Two-way player (RHP/C) in HS... was a pre-season HS All-American in 2011... began college career at Georgia Southern, then transferred to Florence-Darlington Tech, and then to U. of Georgia for junior year... pitched for the Glens Falls Golden Eagles in Perfect Game Collegiate League post-2012...  was Bulldogs closer in 2015, going 2-2 with six saves and a 2.34 ERA, .228 OppBA, allowing 29 hits (0 HR) with 16/31 BB/K in 34.2 IP...    

22nd ROUND (653) 
Alex Bautista, OF 
R/R, 6'0 200, Age 21 
Lindsey Wilson College 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: NAIA 1st team All-American... Hit 371/466/728 with 19 HR & 72 RBI, 13 doubles, and 27 SB (9 CS) in 60 games (251 PA) for Blue Raiders in 2015... Transferred to LWC from Clarendon College after sophomore year...

23rd ROUND (683)
John Williamson, LHP 
L/L, 6'1 195, Age 22 
Rice University 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Two-way player (LHP/OF) in college... 1-2 with 3.98 ERA and .218 OppBA, allowing 17 hits (0 HR) with 6/20 BB/K in 20.1 IP, and hit 284/352/312 for Owls in 2015....    

24th ROUND (713)
Sutton Whiting, SS 
B/R, 5'9 165, Age 23 
U. of Louisville 
COLLEGE SR
COMMENT: Team captain... hit 302/407/369 with no HR and 27 RBI, 13 doubles, 38/54 BB/K, and 15 SB (7 CS) for Cardinals in 2015... was 5th in NCAA D-1 in SB (37) in 2014... 

25th ROUND (743)
Marcus Mastrobuoni, C 
R/R, 5'11 205, Age 21  
Cal State - Stanislaus 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Transferred to Stanislaus from San Joaquin Delta CC... hit 357/415/522 with 3 HR & 30 RBI and 15 doubles, and threw out 57% of opposing base-stealers in 43 games (186 PA) for the Warriors in 2015... 1st team ABCA/Rawlings NCAA D-2 West Region...  

26th ROUND (773)
Jared Padgett, LHP 
L/L, 6'3 190, Age 18 
Graceville HS - Graceville, FL 
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Mississippi State 
COMMENT: Raw athletic talent who will require time to develop... two-pitch pitcher at this point... best pitch is spike-curve... also throws fastball that sits at 90-91 MPH and touches 94, but he lacks command of the heater... 

27th ROUND (803)
Angelo Amendolare, 2B 
R/R, 5'9 170, Age 22 
Jacksonville University
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Team captain... polished contact hitter without much power... hit 366/441/480 with 2 HR & 42 RBI, 16 doubles, and 27/28 BB/K in 56 games (263 PA) for the Dolphins in 2015... transferred to Jacksonville from Seminole State after sophomore year...  played summer ball for Harwich in the Cape Cod League in 2014... 

28th ROUND (833) 
Delvin Zinn, SS 
R/R, 5'10 170, Age 18 
Pontoloc HS - Pontoloc, MS 
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Mississippi State 
COMMENT: Also was the star PG on HS basketball team... 2015 Perfect Game All-American Honorable Mention...  : 

29th ROUND (863)
Ian Rice, C 
R/R, 6'0 200, Age 21 
U. of Houston 
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT Played 3B & catcher in HS... transferred to Houston from Chipola JC...  hit 330 with 11 HR & 51 RBI at Chipola in 2014... was selected by Boston Red Sox in 21st round of 2014 draft but did not sign... hit 
272/352/444 in Cape Cod League in 2014... has an upper-cut swing... draws lots of walks... hit 255/427/364 with 3 HR & 27 RBI, nine doubles, and 46/34 BB in 55 games (222 PA) for Cougars in 2015...   

30th ROUND (893) 
Tyler Payne, C 
R/R, 5'11 200, Age 22 
West Virginia State 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT Two-way player (RHP/C) in college... hit 354/413/571 with 4 HR & 36 RBI, 24 doubles, and 18/9 BB/K in 50 games (197 PA) and threw out 45% of opposing base-stealers for Yellowjackets in 2015... 

31st ROUND (923)
Daniel Spingola, OF 
L/R, 6'1 180, Age 22 
Georgia Tech 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Was selected by Cubs in 24th round of 2014 draft but did not sign... had disappointing senior year at Tech after hitting .319 as a junior in 2014, putting up a 259/341/346 line with 2 HR & 26 RBI, eight doubles, 17/27 BB/K, and 6 SB (2 CS) in 49 games (232 PA)... suffered a season-ending ankle injury prior to ACC tournament...  

32nd ROUND (953)
Fitz Stadler, RHP 
R/R, 6'8 215, Age 18 
Glenbrook South HS - Glenview, IL 
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Arizona State 
COMMENT: Was voted by scouts as one of the top prospects in the Area Code Games in 2014,,, features an 86-88 MPH fastball with sink that touches 92, and fastball velocity is expected to increase as he matures... curve shows promise... is working on a change-up... was also the QB on the Glenbrook South football team... 

33rd ROUND (983) 
M. T. Minacci, RHP 
R/R, 6'2 175, Age 20 
NO SCHOOL 
COMMENT: Selected by Colorado Rockies in 20th round of 2013 draft but did not sign... enrolled at Florida State after graduating from North Florida Christian HS in Tallahassee, but he did not pitch at FSU... he subsequently transferred to Chipola JC and he pitched there (briefly) in 2014, but he is not presently enrolled in college...  

34th ROUND (1013) 
Cody Hawken, OF 
R/R, 6'5 205, Age 18 
Union HS - Camas, WA 
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: U. of Portland 
COMMENT: 2015 Washington Gatorade Player of the Year... hit .465 with 7 HR & 30 RBI through his first 17 games in 2015... 

35th ROUND (1043)
Taylor Jones, 1B 
R/R, 6'7 225, Age 21 
Gonzaga University 
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: Two-way player (RHP/1B) in HS and first two years at Gonzaga... was rated pre-draft Top 100 prospect by Baseball America in 2012... was rated #1 HS pitching prospect in State of Washington by Baseball Northwest in 2012... First-team All-WCC in 2015... hit 358/414/545 with 5 HR & 30 RBI, eight doubles, and 10/16 BB/K in 44 games (155 PA) for the Bulldogs in 2015...  
 

36th ROUND (1073)
Alonzo Jones, SS
B/R, 5'9 197, Age 18 
Columbus HS - Columbus, GA 
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Vanderbilt 
COMMENT: Rated the fastest player in the 2015 draft... draws comparisons to Reds speedster Billy Hamilton, but Jones is stronger, with HR power from both sides of the plate... shaky defensive infielder, will probably play CF in pro ball... suffered season-ending broken hand (hamate bone) that required surgery in April... 
 
37th ROUND (1103)
Donnie Cimino, OF 
R/R, 6'2 205, Age 21 
Weslyan University (Connecticut) 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Two-time NESCAC batting champ... hit 362/424/497 with 3 HR & 28 RBI, nine doubles, 14 SB (4 CS), and 15/20 BB/K for the Cardinals in 2015... 

38th ROUND (1133)
Rayne Supple, RHP 
B/R, 6'3 185, Age 17 
Champlain Valley Union HS - Hinesburg, VT  
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Wake Forest 
COMMENT: 2015 Vermont Gatorade Player of the Year... two-way player (RHP/SS) in HS... best pitch is curve ball... upper 80's fastball velocity expected to uptick as he matures... 3-0 with a 0.51 ERA, with eight hits allowed and 40 strikeouts in 27.1 IP through his first twelve games in 2015... First-Team Pre-Season Perfect Game all-Northeast Region  

39th ROUND (1163) 
John Kilichowski, LHP 
L/L, 6'5 217, Age 21 
Vanderbilt University 
COLLEGE SOPH (draft-eligible) 
COMMENT: Moved from Commodore bullpen to the starting rotation in 2015 and projects as a future TOR starter at Vandy... lanky lefty throws strikes, and combines three quality pitches, including an 88-92 MPH fastball, a hard-breaking curve, and a change-up with fade... 3-3 with 2.97 ERA, allowing 49 hits (4 HR) with 13/61 BB/K in 60.1 IP and 14 games (10 GS) in 2015... 

40th ROUND (1193) 
Domenic DeRenzo, C 
R/R, 5'11 185, Age 18 
Central Catholic HS - Pittsburgh, PA  
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: U. of Oklahoma  
COMMENT: Does not possess a strong throwing arm, but he is an athletic backstop and is considered one of the top HS receivers in the draft... has plus-bat speed and shows potential as a hitter but is still very raw... 2015 Perfect Game All-American 3rd team... 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



The 
First-Year Player Draft (or "MLB Rule 4 Draft") is held annually over a three-day period in June.

There are 40 rounds (there were 50 rounds prior to 2012), and draft order is based upon the inverse order of winning percentages from the previous season. If the winning percentages of two or more clubs are the same, the club with the lowest winning percentage from the previous season picks first. If two or more clubs are still tied, league standings from two years back (or three years back, four years back, etc) are used to break the tie.

Article XX-B Free-Agent Compensation draft picks are slotted in the Supplemental 1st Round of the MLB Rule 4 Draft pick (between the 1st and 2nd rounds), and the 12 Competitive Balance Rule 4 Draft picks that are awarded annually are slotted in two groups (six of the Competitive Balance picks are slotted immediately after the Article XX-B Free-Agent Compensation draft picks in the Supplemental 1st Round, and the other six Competitive Balance picks are slotted in the Supplemental 2nd Round between the 2nd and 3rd rounds).

An individual is eligible for selection in the First-Year Player Draft (Rule 4 Draft) if the person has not previously signed an MLB or minor league contract, and is either a resident of a U. S. state or territory or Canada, or is not a resident but was enrolled in a high school or college in a U. S. state or territory or Canada within the previous year, and...  

1. Has graduated from high school; or

2. High school athletic eligibility has expired; or

3. Dropped out of high school at least 365 days prior to the draft; or

4. Attended a junior college the previous school year; or

5. Is attending a four-year college and has completed at least junior year of athletic eligibility, or

6. Is attending a four-year college and is age 21 or older (or will turn 21 within 45 days of the draft); or

7. Is attending a four-year college and the school has no baseball program, or 

8. Was dismissed from a four-year college for academic reasons; or

9. Withdrew from a four-year college at least 120 days prior to the draft,

Players selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft) are placed on a club's Negotiation List.

In most cases, a player selected by a club in the Rule 4 Draft will remain on the club's Negotiation List until either the player signs, or until 5:00 PM (EDT) on the Friday that falls during the week July 12-18 (whichever comes first), and if a club does not sign a Rule 4 Draft pick by the deadline, the player is removed from the club's Negotiation List and becomes eligible for selection again in the next Rule 4 Draft in which the player would be eligible for selection. The exception to this rule is any college senior with no baseball eligibility left. This class of player remains on the club's Negotiation List until the player signs or until one week prior to the next Rule 4 Draft (whichever comes first).

Also, any player eligible for selection in the Rule 4 Draft who is not drafted ("Non-Drafted Free-Agent" or "NDFA") can sign with any club after the conclusion of the draft any time up until one week prior to the next Rule 4 Draft, unless and until the NDFA enrolls in a junior college or four-year college, in which case MLB Rule 4 Draft eligibility rules apply.

A player selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft or a Rule 4 eligible NDFA cannot be signed to a Major League contract.

A player selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft or a Rule 4 eligible NDFA can be "Signed for Future Service" (contract is for the following season) if the player signs a contract after July 1st.

A club is not permitted to select a player in the Rule 4 Draft two years in a row, unless the player gives his approval in advance.

There is a maximum limit on the aggregate amount of money that each club can pay as signing bonuses to players selected in a First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft) before penalties begin to accrue.

Prior to the Rule 4 Draft, each MLB club is assigned a
“Signing Bonus Pool” (SBP) equal to the aggregate pre-assigned bonus value of all of the club’s draft slots in the first ten rounds (including supplemental & compensatory draft picks). The higher the slot, the higher the bonus value. (The collective MLB SBP is determined in advance by calculating industry revenues). 

The Cubs 2015 Rule 4 Draft SBP is $7,236,100.

ROUND 1
(9): $3,351,000
ROUND 2:(47) $1,292,100
ROUND 3 (82) $731,000
ROUND 4 (113) $503,100
ROUND 5 (143) $376,700
ROUND 6 (173) $281,900
ROUND 7 (203) $211,300
ROUND 8 (233) $174,200
ROUND 9 (263) $162,800
ROUND 10 (293) $152,000


If a club fails to sign a player selected in the first ten rounds (including supplemental draft picks), the value of that slot is deducted from the club’s SBP. There is no bonus value assigned to draft slots after the 10th round, but if a club pays a signing bonus in excess of $100,000 to a player selected in the 11th round or later or to a player eligible for selection who was not drafted, the amount of that bonus in excess of $100,000 is deducted from the club’s SBP.

If a club exceeds its SBP in a given Rule 4 Draft, a tax will be assessed and future Rule 4 Draft picks could be forfeited, depending on how much the club exceeded its SBP. (The club’s 1st Round draft pick in the next Rule 4 Draft is forfeited if the club exceeds its SBP by 5-10%, its 1st & 2nd round draft picks in the next Rule 4 Draft are forfeited if the club exceeds its SBP by 10-15%, and the club’s 1st Round picks in the next two Rule 4 Drafts are forfeited if the club exceeds its SBP by more than 15%).

Money collected from the tax on clubs that exceed their SBP will be distributed to qualifying clubs as Revenue Sharing funds, and forfeited draft picks will be reassigned by lottery. (Any club that exceeds its SBP is excluded from the lottery).

A Rule 4 Draft compensation pick is available only if a club is unable to sign a player selected in one of the first three rounds (including supplemental compensation draft picks between rounds 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4).

A club must offer a drafted player at least 40% of the slot value in order to be eligible to receive a compensation draft pick if the player does not sign.

If a player selected in the 1st or 2nd round of the Rule 4 Draft does not sign, the club receives an extra compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower in the 1st or 2nd round than where the club selected the previous season. 

If a player selected in the 3rd round of the draft does not sign, the club receives an extra compensation selection between the 3rd & 4th rounds in the next Rule 4 Draft, with clubs selecting in inverse order of league standings from the previous season. (In the case of two clubs finishing with the same winning percentage the previous season, league standings from two seasons back will be used to break the tie. If the clubs are still tied, league standings from three seasons back, four seasons back, etc, will be used to break the tie). 

A club would receive another compensation pick in the next Rule 4 Draft after that (one slot lower than the slot where the unsigned player was selected in the previous draft) if a player selected with an extra compensation pick does not sign, but there is no additional compensation pick awarded the following season (three years removed from the original draft pick) if a club is unable to sign that player.

Compensation draft picks awarded to clubs for losing an Article XX-B MLB Free-Agent (Qualified Player) will be slotted between the 1st and 2nd rounds of the next MLB Rule 4 Draft, with clubs selecting in inverse order of league standings from the previous season. (In the case of two clubs finishing with the same winning percentage the previous season, league standings from two seasons back will be used to break the tie. If the clubs are still tied, league standings from three seasons back, four seasons back, etc, will be used to break the tie). 

If a player selected with a draft pick awarded as the result of a club losing a Qualified Player does not sign, the club receives a compensation selection between the 1st & 2nd rounds in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than where the club selected the previous season. There is no further compensation if a player selected with that compensation draft pick does not sign.

Six "Competitive Balance" Rule 4 Draft slots between the 1st and 2nd rounds and six more between the 2nd and 3rd rounds are awarded each year by lottery.  

The Competitive Balance Lottery (CBL) is held during the week following the Rule 4 Draft signing deadline in July. Only MLB clubs that receive revenue sharing and clubs from the ten smallest markets are eligible to participate in the lottery for the CBL draft slots.

Once awarded, a CBL draft slot can be traded, but only during the MLB regular season. The slot cannot be traded for cash unless it is a financial adjustment made to offset the salary of one or more of the players involved in the trade. Also, a CBL draft slot can be traded only once (only by the club that was awarded the pick). Once traded, the slot cannot be "flipped" to a third club. 

If a player selected with a CBL draft pick does not sign, the club receives a compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than where the club selected the previous season. There is no further compensation if a player selected with a Competitive Balance compensation draft pick does not sign.

A Rule 4 Draft pick forfeited because a club exceeded its Rule 4 Draft bonus limit will be reassigned to another club by lottery held on the same day as the Competitive Balance draft pick lottery. All MLB clubs that did not exceed its SBP limit are eligible to participate in this lottery.

As with the Competitive Balance draft pick lottery, Rule 4 forfeited draft picks can be traded, but only during the MLB regular season, and the pick cannot be traded for cash unless it is a financial adjustment made to offset the salary of one or more of the players involved in the trade. Also, a Rule 4 forfeited draft pick can be traded only once (only by the club that was awarded the pick). Once traded, the pick cannot be "flipped" to a third club.

If a player selected with a Rule 4 forfeited draft pick does not sign, the club receives a compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than the forfeited draft pick slot from the previous season. There is no further compensation if a player selected with a compensation Rule 4 forfeited draft pick does not sign.

Comments

Seems like a solid high floor kind of guy, and the Cubs once again take the "best hitter in the draft".

And the asshole Sox get the guy I wanted right before the Cubs' pick. Two years in a row. I hope nobody ever goes to their pathetic park and they go into bankruptcy. Wait...I think that's already happening. Nevermind.

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In reply to by Sonicwind75

Oh I get that. As a long time Miami Hurricanes fan, I was real disappointed that Hill was a bust as a Cub even with the (very) profitable trade result he was a part of. I'm hopeful that Happ will succeed as a Cub - but if he ultimately joins the Bobby Hill/Hee Seop Choi Cub player development HOF that would work too.

another hitter with big bat including some power over defense, some OF speed but not a strong arm. Looks like they are going after David Price rather than drafting pitchers

Deweezil? He's a Mother! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOtuqYzJTsM
that's 'Napoleon Murphy Brock'.... He joined 'The Mothers' in 73' Frank just asked him to come down, and watch the band"you don't have to play or sing" Frank said... NMB went, and when he heard Frank's band..." He saw his destiny" Yeah... He's a 'Mother'!

this has to be one of the most boring drafts in a long time. no exciting power pitchers...no exciting power hitters...no drama...no hype... hell, even teams with high draft picks didn't have much of an excited fan base going into the draft. everyone knew the top 2 picks were gonna be SS's and neither of them are expected to eventually carry the team as much as they're expected to be good role players with possible AS upside. the cubs 2nd round pick seems a bit underwhelming, but looking at the talent surrounding him it doesn't seem that bad at all, even if it's a gamble. aside from wood bat summer leagues he's not been challenged much. keep in mind UNF's batting leader last season (NCAA's batting leader, too) was 7th rounder drew weeks who hit a slash of .430/.478/.606. it's a scout's pick (and more teams than the cubs had interest)...hope something comes of it. btw, i brought up d.weeks not to compare him to dewees, but to comment on the weak(ish) talent in the division he played in.

Miggy Dh'ing tonite according to Joe Maddon on his WSCR show

RD 3 (82) #5068: Bryan Hudson. LHP. Highschool, Alton, IL 6 foot 8 inches. 220 lbs. TV crew says high upside. Tops out at 92 now. Good curve. Best HS pitching prospect out of IL in a long time (not sure how complementary that might be). But they like the pick.

Hello.

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In reply to by Sonicwind75

It's a totally different situation. Looks to me like they're trying to save money by taking these college seniors instead of high-ceiling prep arms like they did last season. Last year, they had a lot of money left over from under-slotting Schwarber (for a lot) and Stinnett (for a little). That allowed them to go get guys like Sands, Cease and Steele in rounds 4-6. This year, they might be able to underslot Happ and Dewees a little bit, but they don't have the extra millions to go get the same type of high-ceiling guys in those middle rounds. However, if they are able to save enough money from the no leverage college seniors in rounds 6-10, they might have enough left over to go after a high school, signability concern guy or two in rounds 11-15. In the past, some of the college seniors selected in rounds 8,9 & 10 have signed for very little money, like $10,000. Slot money for the Cubs 10th pick is $152,000. Let's say they are able to sign Vimael Machin for $40,000. That's $112,000 they can put towards someone else, likely a higher-ceiling guy to be taken early tomorrow. Add that together with the savings they'll get in rounds 6-9, and there could be somewhere around $600,000 (or more depending) to spend on one or two guys that we'll find more exciting than those aforementioned college seniors.

Because a team loses the all-important slot money assigned to a certain pick if they don't sign him, I have to believe the Cubs factor in what a player is likely to sign for before they draft him. Reportedly, Theo watched Bryan Hudson pitch twice in person. Hudson is from the very small town of Alton, IL. It wouldn't take much to think that he'd be more than willing to accept 3rd round slot money ($731,000) or a little below. I'm not saying Hudson doesn't have the talent necessary to warrant a 3rd round pick, just that (if indeed he is willing to sign for slot or below) he would be the best of both worlds and that signability is a factor. Maybe he's a Cubs fan. Maybe being personally scouted by and perhaps meeting with Theo Epstein can charm a player into agreeing to a certain amount in order to be taken by the team he likes. It would also makes sense that the Cubs would know what it would take to sign Happ, Dewees, Wilson and Kellogg. I think they're going after somebody with signability concerns in round 11 and/or later, but what do I know...

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In reply to by K Dub

Alton, IL is basically a suburb of St Louis and BTW home of the legendary Fast Eddie's Bar and Grill, a rather fun place to day drink/eat if you are ever stuck in St Louis. Regardless, I'm not sure how size of hometown would effect signability. I believe I read that he grew up cheering for his hometown Cardinals but I'm sure Theocorp have some sort of agreement in place and number it will take for him to forego his University of Missouri commitment.

Can you sign anyone for overslot after the 10th round. I thought that you couldn't do that.

Az Phil, I haven't posted a comment in years, but I came across something I had to ask. It might be a mistake on Baseball America's part, but again, I wanted to ask. On the Cubs Draft Database, which shows the pool amounts for each pick, our 13rd pick, Twomey, has a pool amount for $449,000. Every draft pick after the 10th round has a pool cap of $100,000. Is there some reason Twomey would get $449,000? Just curious. Thanks,

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In reply to by Childersb3

From Phil's write up above: There is no bonus value assigned to draft slots after the 10th round, but if a club pays a signing bonus in excess of $100,000 to a player selected in the 11th round or later or to a player eligible for selection who was not drafted, the amount of that bonus in excess of $100,000 is deducted from the club’s SBP. (SBP - Signing Bonus Pool for rounds 1-10)

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In reply to by Childersb3

CHILDERSB3:If it is not a typo or some other mistake, the only explanation would be that the Cubs have signed Twomey for $540,000, which would mean that $440K (the amount above $100K) should now be subtracted from the Cubs original pre-assigned $7,236,100 signing bonus limit.

Or it could indicate that the Cubs signed Twomey for $540K and BA is just reporting the actual amount rather than the amount of the bonus that exceeds $100K. 

Or Baseball America just made a mistake and it will eventually be corrected. . 

But there is NO WAY that the Cubs 13th round slot has an assigned value of $440K. 

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    STL traded away a lot of minor league talent that went on to do nothing in the arenado + goldschmidt trades.  neither guy blocked any of their minor league talent in the pipeline, too.  that's ideal places to add talent.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Natural cycle of baseball. Pitching makes adjustments in approach to counter a hot young rookie. Now it’s time for Busch and his coaches to counter those adjustments. Busch is very good and will figure it out, I think sooner than later.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    In 2020, the pandemic year and the year before they acquired Arenado, the Cardinals finished second and were a playoff team. Of the 12 batters with 100 plate appearances, 8 of them were home grown. Every member of the starting rotation (if you include Wainwright) and all but one of the significant relievers were home grown. While there have been a relative handful of very good trades interspersed which have been mentioned, player development had been their predominant pattern for decades - ever since I became an aware fan in the ‘70’s

    The Arenado deal was not a deal made out of dire need or desperation. It was a splashy, headline making deal for a perennial playoff team intended to be the one piece that brought the Cardinals from a very good team to a World Series contender. They have continued to wheel and deal and have been in a slide ever since. I stand by my supposition that that deal marked a notable turning point within the organization. They broke what had been a very successful formula for a very long time.
     

  • crunch (view)

    busch is having a really intense k-filled mini slump.  he deserves better after coming back to wrigley after that hot road trip.

  • crunch (view)

    i know alzolay isn't having a great time right now, but i trust hector "ball 4" neris even less than alzolay based on what i've seen coming out of their arms.

  • azbobbop (view)

    Neris reminds me of Don “Full Pack” Stanhouse.

  • Eric S (view)

    Happ, Busch, Dansby and Madrigal have a combined 25 runners left on base through 7 innings, with Busch accounting for 9 of those.  Seems like a lot. 

  • crunch (view)

    PCA finally gets a hit!  2r HR!!!

  • Charlie (view)

    They certainly could be coupled. It could also be the case that a team needs good players at the heart of the team and if they are not coming from one source (development) they have to be sought out elsewhere. I don't see the evidence needed to infer the cause. 

  • crunch (view)

    bases loaded for the cubs, 0 out...and no runs score.

    cubbery.