Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cardinals @ Cubs: Leake vs Lackey (Game 116)

You can’t always get what you want.STL (61-56): RHP Mike Leake (8-9, 4.79)
CHC (73-42): RHP John Lackey (9-7, 3.56)
First pitch: 7:08pmCST (ESPN)

Lackey went 8 strong to beat the Angels on Tuesday (8 IP, 1 ER, 6 K, 1 BB). He’s 1-1 with a 2.70 against the Cards this season. Overall, they are 37-141 (.262) against him. Peralta is 12-34 with a HR.

Leake had a no-decision against his old team, the Reds, his last time out (6 IP, 3 ER, 0 K, 4 BB). He lost to the Cubs at home in April, giving up 3 ER in 7 innings. The Cubs are 41-148 (.277) against him. Coghlan is 10-16 with 2 HR—and should hopefully get the start over Mr. 4-3.

Tomorrow is an off-day before we end the homestand with four with the Brewers, including a twin-bill on Tuesday.

Go Cubs!

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

Heyward hasn't been quite as bad offensively as Montero has, and neither Coghlan nor Soler are even close to Heyward defensively in RF. There's yet to be any good reason to think that Coghlan would be better offensively than Heyward would. I could see Baez, Soler, or potentially La Stella stealing playing time from Heyward if they get hot, with either Zobrist or Bryant shifting to RF for a game at a time, but it seems unlikely that Heyward will ride the bench anywhere near as much as Montero has.

AZ Phil, What are your thoughts on Victor Caratini? He's quietly hitting almost 300 in TN. Switch hitter, right? I believe he's supposed to at least decent behind the plate. Don't know if he's more catch and throw or receiver/blocker. Do you think he can partner up with Contreras in 2018 after Miggy's contract is up? Thanks

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

CHILDERS: Prior to Willson Contreras getting called up, Contreras, Victor Caratini, and P. J. Higgins were considered the Cubs top three catching prospects on full season affiliates at the end of Minor League Camp, and the Cubs project all three as future MLB catchers. All three also are versatile players who can play multiple positions (they are "Maddon guys"). Caratini was mostly a third-baseman in college and was converted to full-time catcher by the Braves after they signed him, but he also has played a lot of 1B in pro ball, and some 3B, too. He has developed into a good receiver, but his throwing got out of whack early this season and last I heard the Cubs were working with him on that, and it looks like he has improved some lately (at least as far as CS% is concerned). He also has a very different personality from Contreras, in that Caratini is more of a cool customer behind the plate and stays very calm (a lot like Miguel Montero), whereas Contreras is more fiery and emotional (much like Javy Baez). Caratini is a decent hitter from both sides of the plate (he is a switch-hitter), and projects to have occasional-to-average HR power as he matures. While he will almost certainly be added to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster by the 11/20 deadline (he is first-time Rule 5 Draft eligible post-2016), Caratini is at least a year away, pretty much in the same position Contreras was this time last year (although maybe not quite as advanced as Contreras was a year ago). I would rate Caratini as one of the Cubs Top 10 prospects, and (barring setbacks) he will likely be ready for MLB by late 2017 or 2018, just in time to replace Miguel Montero on the 25.

j.lackey seems to have a sore arm...maddon out after a few pitches of him holding his arm over his head after pitches and obviously grimacing on his last pitch. lackey doesn't want to leave, but he's gone with a 2-2 count on the batter. hopefully it's just some general soreness. lackey is hanging out in the dugout, not with the trainer. grimm gets a 1-pitch K (that's moneyballs as hell).

Hopefully Rondon shakes off the rust in his next outing. He hasn't pitched in 12 days until tonight. They didn't know he would be out for this long, but maybe the DL and some minor league rehab appearances would have been good for him. With a huge lead in the division, being cautious and placing players with minor injuries on the DL could be beneficial. With minor league season ending, not so much anymore.

Hard to imagine a more unsatisfactory split with the Cardinals. Back-to-back blown late-inning leads at home, brutal meltdowns in the 8th inning two days in a row, and this team's true Achilles' heel is once again exposed -- bases loaded,no outs, chance to put the game away - and they get zip. Very discouraging performance in a playoff atmosphere.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

It would be far more unsatisfactory if the Cubs only had a 2 game lead and not a 12 game lead. But...otherwise agree with you. Games like this make me worry about the nature of the playoffs. Inability to put away games and tack on runs early leaves you vulnerable to bad luck or a couple bad pitches.

Chris Cotillo ‏@ChrisCotillo Source: Cubs adding LHP Joe Thatcher on minor-league deal after he requested and was granted his release from Indians. Headed to AAA. ----------- Late season flyer.

So I guess as Chapman was leaving the mound yesterday the Cubs played the song "Smack My Bitch Up" by the Prodigy. I can't believe that's an accident and oh my someone is getting fired for that.

Uhm, 40 man roster says Soto is on DL, not Strop. Also, why was Acevedo not placed on the MLB DL and was placed on the MILB DL a long time ago? Are they allowed to add him to 60 day DL to open a spot on the 40 man roster because he's out for the season?

[ ]

In reply to by chitownmvp01

CHITOWNMVP: Andury Acevedo was placed on the AA Tennessee 60-day DL because he was injured (torn ACL) after being optioned to the minors, but if the Cubs need his slot on their MLB 40-man roster in September, they could recall him from Tennessee and place him on the MLB 60-day DL.

The main reasons the Cubs would not want to recall Acevedo and place him on the MLB 60-day DL if it isn't necessary is that while he is optioned to the minors he is paid at the minor league rate (since he had not previously been on an MLB 40-man roster pre-2016, his minor league split salary is about $40,000 per year) and he does not accrue MLB Service Time, but if he is recalled from the minors and placed on the 60-day DL, he would accrue MLB Service Time and the Cubs would have to pay him at the MLB rate (about $507,000 pro-rated). It probably wouldn't make a lot of difference if they do it in September (presuming they need his 40--man roster slot), but they wouldn't want to do it any earlier than necessary.

The difference between Acevedo's situation and that of the five players presently on the Cubs MLB 60-day DL is that the others (Rosscup, Schwarber, Villanueva, Beeler, and Brooks) were injured prior to getting sent to the minors, so the Cubs had no choice with them. But they do have a choice with Acevedo.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the if they Cubs add him to the 60-DL he accures MLB service time, minors don't have 60 Day DL, plus since the injury happened in the season in the minors I'm not sure they're even allowed to put him on 60-DL. Unlike Rosscup and Villanueva who's injury happened in spring training are allowed to 60-DL (but they both are picking up a years MLB service). That wasn't the worst thing for Villanueva since he was out of options. Beeler and Brooks despite only being on 15-DL are still on rehab assignments so they haven't used a MLB option until they are "officially optioned" to Iowa and are also accuring MLB service time since their's also happened in spring training. AZ PHIL would know for sure on all of this and any errors I may have made.

Today's off-day question: Of the 4 teams battling for the 2nd WC spot -- Cards, Marlins, Pirates & Mets -- who would you least like to see get in? I'm torn between the Mets (pitching, last year) and the Cardinals (really would hate for them to get payback for last year -- WC knocks out Best Record). But, since the goal is to win, I'm going with Mets.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Want absolutely nothing to do with the Cardinals. Always motivation that goes beyond records for both teams, and I would simply hate to lose to them. Mets brings back bad memories of last year, and still have some solid arms for a short series. Pirates are mediocre, at best, but Clint Hurdle knows how to get his team fired up, and injure our players in the process. Therefore, I go with the Marlins. With that said, we can beat any of the 4...or lose to any of the 4. Playoffs are a crap shoot.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

I would love to see Pittsburgh overtake the Cardinals and make it to the WC game against either SF or LA. Miami would be my second choice. It has nothing to do with the Cubs chances against them--I just dislike the Cards and the Mets and would prefer that they experience a stretch of failure at least until ESPN and other major sources stop talking about the Cards as if they are special.

How long did it take for Colon to walk to first? He must of been exhausted by the time he got there.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.