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

Cubs @ Brewers: Hammel vs Peralta (Game 138)

Brewers 12, Cubs 5
W: Peralta (6-9); L: Hammel (14-8)

PREVIEW
CHC (89-48): RHP Jason Hammel (14-7, 3.14)
MIL (60-77): RHP Wily Peralta (5-9, 5.53)
First pitch: 7:10pmCST

Hammel beat the Pirates on Wednesday (6 IP, 1 ER, 6 K, 3 BB). He’s 2-1 with a 3.00 in his 3 starts against the Brewers this season. Overall, they are 26-108 (.241) against him. Braun is 9-27 with 3 HRs.

Peralta had a no-decision against the Cards his last time out (7 IP, 1 ER, 10 K, 1 BB). He went 1-2 with a 3.00 in August--his best month, by far. He’s somehow avoided the Cubs so far this year. Overall, they are 36-109 (.330) against him. Rizzo is 14-28 with 5 HR--dang! The only thing better than a day off is in-game BP.

Montgomery (4-5, 2.80) versus Garza (5-6, 4.57) to end the series tomorrow at 7:10pmCST.

Go Cubs!

Comments

Has there been an announcement on who will be recalled today?

[ ]

In reply to by chitownmvp01

...because 1 might be catching lester next year...and it might be the guy who got called up. what? WHAT? sigh. no seriously, what? lulz...sigh. candy ended the season really strong, but given that he was tweeting this morning about catching a plane back home it seems he knew he wasn't getting a call-up.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Cubs already have at least 3 third basemen in the dugout, including one who needs AB to see if he makes the post-season roster and one who needs AB to win the MVP. I don't think Candy plays any other position. Yet. Great year at AAA for Candy: .333/.417/.959 in 264AB. 33BB/53K. And he's a switch-hitter, which Joe and Theo love. Next year's roster decisions are going to be really interesting.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

By selecting the contract of Tim Federowicz today (Tuesday) instead waiting two more days to do it, the Cubs have almost certainly made Tim Federowicz eligible for salary arbitration as a "Super Two" post-2016.

It's not just that Federowicz will be at 2+151 MLB Service Time post-2016 (well beyond the threshhold to qualify for arbitration as a "Super Two"), but if the Cubs had waited just two more days, Federowicz would have fallen short of the 86 days of MLB Service Time a player needs to accrue in a season in order to qualify for arbitration as a "Super Two."

Presuming he remains on the Cubs MLB 40-man roster through the balance of the MLB regular season, Federowicz will accrue 87 days of MLB Service Time in 2016, and will qualify for salary arbitration as a "Super Two" (presuming he isn't outrighted back to the minors after the World Series).

So the Cubs did Federowicz a solid by calling him up today.

Take that, Tommy LaStella! 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

One other thing about Tim Federowicz:

When Federowicz was outrighted to the minors in June, he had the right to elect to be a free-agent immediately or accept the assignment and defer free-agency until the conclusion of the MLB regular season, because he had been outrighted previously in his career. (Same thing with Ryan Kalish, BTW).

Federowicz opted to accept the outright assignment and defer free-agency, possibly with assurances from the Cubs that he would be called back up to Chicago at the conclusion of the PCL season if he accepted the assignment.

So unlike minor leaguers who are eligible to be a minor league 6YFA after the conclusion of the World Series, Federowicz was eligible to elect to be an Article XX-D minor league free-agent beginning on the day after the conclusion of the MLB regular season, and the Cubs probably wanted to make sure that Federowicz would be available as a potential injury replacement player during the post-season on the off-chance that two of their catchers go down with injuries during the playoffs.

This by no means guarantees Federowicz a 40-man roster slot post-2016, but because he was on a minor league roster and his contract was selected after August 15th, Federowicz is a "Draft-Excluded Player," meaning he cannot be outrighted to the minors during the off-season (up until 20 days prior to 2017 MLB Opening Day). So the Cubs will have a very short window after the World Series (less than five days) to decide their future with Federowicz going forward, although they could always non-tender him on 12/2 or release him if they absolutely need his roster slot at some point during the off-season.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

RHP R. J. Alvarez has been Designated for Assignment by the Cubs to make room for Tim Federowiz on the MLB 40-man roster.

Alvarez was claimed off waivers from Oakland on June 12th. Although he was cleared to pitch when he was claimed off waivers, Alvarez had been on the A's 60-day DL after undergoing elbow surgery during Spring Training.

Interesting thing about Alvarez is that if the Cubs can get him through waivers and outright him to the minors, he is NOT eligible to elect free-agency (he hasn't accrued enough MLB Service Time, and he hasn't been outrighted to the minors previously in his career), AND, he will not be eligible to be a minor league 6YFA until post-2018, so he would remain under club control through the 2018 season (presuming he isn't selected in the Rule 5 Draft in 2016 or 2017).

[ ]

In reply to by Hagsag

Would it make sense to not call up Candelario to make sure he doesn't get injured? He's a good offseason trade candidate since he's blocked by KB. Also, where does Almora fit next season? Do the Cubs bring back Fowler?

[ ]

In reply to by chitownmvp01

i imagine almora is the guy in CF next year. he's ready, the price is right, they have sczzrururuzrzrur and heyward as backups, schwarber or soler (or both) will playing the corner spots a lot and could benefit from a little coverage help... ...or they sign fowler for 3 years and trade almora or god knows what they'll do.

[ ]

In reply to by chitownmvp01

CHITOWNMVP: Brian Matusz did not accept an Outright Assignment. He elected to be a free-agent after he was outrighted, then after a few days, he decided to sign a minor league contract with the Cubs. I doubt that the Cubs promised him a slot on the 40 in September, because the Cubs really don't need Matusz like they need Federowicz (as injury insurance). I would expect Matusz to spend September & October at the UAPC in Mesa and get reps at Instructs and stay available in case he is needed during the post-season. (Same goes for Joe Thatcher, Jack Leathersich, and Josh Collmenter).

[ ]

In reply to by Koyies Bansaw

K-BANSAW: RHP Thomas Hatch (the Cubs 2016 3rd round draft pick and their first pick in the draft) was Signed for Future Service (he signed a 2017 contract), but it does not affect when he will be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft (he will still be 1st time Rule 5 Draft eligible post-2019). There has been talk that MLB Rule 5 might be tweaked in the new CBA, so draft eligibility might change - TBD. Also, although signing a 2017 contract means he was not eligible to pitch in the minors in 2016, Hatch is eligible to pitch in AZ Instructs post-2016. (Instructs is considered part of the next season). What is affected by signing a player for future service is that he does not need to be added to a minor league reserve list until Opening Day of the following season (normally draft picks and NDFA must be added to a minor league active list or DL within 15 days after signing, but they do not have to be added to a minor league reserve list until 11/20), and it will delay by one year when he can be a minor league 6YFA (MLB Rule 55 minor league FA) in the event he is not added to an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) and spends seven seasons in the minors. BTW, RHP Dylan Cease was Signed for Future Service in 2014 (he underwent TJS prior to signing with the Cubs and was not going to pitch in 2014 anyway), and RHP Dillon Maples was Signed for Future Service in 2011 back when the signing deadline was August 15th. (Maples was a record-setting football place-kicker in HS and also pitched for the Team USA Junior National Team, and he was all set to play both football and baseball at the University of North Carolina before signing with the Cubs at the last minute). Any player who signs his first contract after July 1st (as Hatch did) is eligible to be Signed for Future Service, and players signed after the start of the International Signing Period on 7/2 who are 16 years old and ineligible to play the season they sign are ALWAYS Signed for Future Service, but otherwise most agents do not want players to be Signed for Future Service because it delays the start of the player's career and it can delay when the player can be a minor league 6YFA. I saw Jesus Camargo throw at Minor League Camp and EXST (one EXST game, a couple of sim games, and a few bullpen side-sessions), but then he got shut-down for the rest of the season once the AZL season started. I don't know what his injury is. Jose Albertos was throwing bullpen side-sessions in August (he was only shut-down for about a month) and he could have been reinstated from the 60-day DL the last week of the AZL season, but the Cubs decided to just let it ride and have him pitch in post-season instructs instead.

[ ]

In reply to by Hagsag

What I think the playoff roster will be: C: Ross, Contreras (2) IF: KB, Russell, Zobrist, Rizzo, Baez, LaStella (6) OF: Fowler, Heyward, Soler, Szczur, Soler (5) SP: Arrieta, Lester, Hendricks, Lackey (4) RP: Chapman, Rondon, Strop, Grimm, Edwards, Wood, Montgomery, Rob Z (8) Including Almora is tempting. If he's added, Montgomery or Rob Z would probably be subtracted. Cahill would be the only multi inning RHP though and it would be nice to have another LHP other than Wood for matchup purposes (Chapman gets the 9th no matter what). I would cut Montgomery if adding Almora. It also wouldn't surprise me if Hammel/Cahill is in the bullpen instead of Montgomery. Rotation if not vs Giants: Arrieta, Hendricks, Lester, Lackey, Arrieta Rotation vs Giants: Arrieta, Lester (if Bumgarner starts game 2, otherwise start Hendricks game 2), Hendricks (Lester if Hendricks pitches Game 2), Lackey, Arrieta Arrieta started the WC game and game 2 of the NLDS last season, so I would assume that Bumgarner/Kershaw would start game 2 if they are the WC winner. I would rather put Lester against them than Hendricks's home record. The fact that TLS hits velocity well suggests that he will be on the playoff roster.

[ ]

In reply to by chitownmvp01

As things stand right now, I would say the Cubs LDS roster wil probably be:

STARTING PITCHERS: Lester, Hendricks, Arrieta, and Lackey (in that order)

BULLPEN: Chapman, Rondon, Strop, Wood, Edwards, Grimm, Montgomery, and Cahill

CATCHERS: Ross, Contreras, and Montero

INFIELDERS: Rizzo, Zobrist, Russell, Bryant, Baez, and LaStella

OUTFIELDERS: Soler, Fowler, Heyward, and Szczur

Meanwhile, most everybody else will be staying in playing shape in Mesa.

One thing to keep in mind is that unlike during the regular season, the bullpen doesn't usually get burned out during the playoffs because teams don't play that many games in a row. Basically every reliever is available every day.

Also, you do not want to get into a situation where it's the 15th inning in the LCS or the World Series and you're out of pitchers and so Ross or Montero has to pitch. You can get away with that during the regular season, but you do not want that to happen in the post-season. You need have at least two pitchers in the bullpen (probably Montgomery and Cahill) who are stretched-out and who can pitch multiple innings and throw 75-100 pitches in extra innings if necessary.

If Strop can't pitch in the LDS, Joe Smith or Rob Zastryzny (depending on the opponent) would probably get the slot, or Jason Hammel could be kept on the active list as the emergency extra innings reliever and Cahill could be used in a more traditional middle relief role.

There is also a possibility that (depending on the opponent) Chris Coghlan could get a slot, replacing LaStella, Szczur, or Soler. Or Albert Almora Jr could replace Szczur or Soler. And if the Cubs want a reserve who can pinch-run and steal a base (but not just that), Munenori Kawasaki would probably be that guy, replacing LaStella or Szczur.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Kyle Hendricks is my favorite pitcher to watch. He pitches in an era when so many are foot-on-the-gas throwers for 6 innings. The Greg Maddux comparisons will always be there because of the movement of his pitches and his cerebral approach. That said, Maddux was not a big game playoff pitcher, even in his prime. He struggled because he didn't have a dominate out pitch. Winning playoff teams make pitchers work extra by waiting for their pitch. Control pitchers need balls hit into play and those good hitting teams, "hit 'em where they ain't". I want Kyle to succeed as a playoff pitcher, but I don't think he should be counted upon in the top 3. I see Lackey pitching before Kyle.

[ ]

In reply to by videographer

I disagree. Hendricks is a 2-pitch guy whose best pitch is actually his changeup, and it is arguably the best changeup thrown by a starter in MLB. He has a clear out pitch, and the advanced stats play that out. You just better described Jon Lester, whose two best pitches by far are his fastball and his cutter. Lucky for him, those pitches are very effective.

It's been kind of an off year for him in the one area, batting average, where he usually excels, but Chesny Young did win the Southern League batting crown with a BA of .303. Contreras hit .333 in the same league last year. Young hit .321 and won the Carolina League batting title last year, but hit his head (figuratively) when he moved up to AA, as I've noticed hitters (and pitchers) often do. He did finish strong this year just to get up around .300. Young is a long shot to play in the majors and a longer shot to wear a Cub uniform, but his manager Mark Johnson claims he has a rare hit tool, and he does now own two batting titles.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

VA PHIL: Chesny Young did NOT win the Southern League batting crown. He finished 2nd.

link 

As for his future, a good comp (offensively) would be D. J. LeMahieu, and (like LeMahieu) Young's best defensive position is 2B, although the Cubs have been attempting to morph him into an IF-OF.

And defensive position is the main question with Young, because he doesn't really demonstrate much defensive versatility (so far) beyond playing a basic/pedestrian 2B, and that is despite athleticism that might lead one to believe that he should be able to play mulitiple positions.  

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Blech. Foiled by rule 9.22(A). The other guy didn't have enough ABs to qualify. He was short by 7 ABs, so according to the rule, they gave him an 0 for 7 and dropped his BA to .315, still better than Young's. LeMahieu's a better athlete, running and catching. And LeMahieu at least looks like he has some power in that big frame. (His homers are finally up to double digits this year.) Young won't earn a shot by hitting a singles-heavy .303 in the minors.

Some notable performances by Cubs minor leaguers in 2016:

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE: Iowa OF John Andreoli led the league in SB and was 2nd in walks and 3rd in runs scored (but also 3rd in strikeouts), and ex-Cubs 1B Dan Vogelbach (traded to SEA in July) led the PCL in walks, was 2nd in OBP and RBI, tied for 6th in HR, and was 8th in runs scored.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE: Tennessee IF-OF Chesny Young was 2nd in the league in BA, hits, and OBP and was tied for 8th in walks, C Victor Caratini was 6th in BA, 8th in SLG, and 9th in doubles, and (on the negative side) RHSP Tyler Skulina led the league in HR allowed, was 3rd in walks, and 6th in most HBP.

CAROLINA LEAGUE: Myrtle Beach RHSP Trevor Clifton led the league in ERA and WHIP and was 3rd in strikeouts, 1B Yasiel Balaguert was 2nd in RBI and 4th in HR (but also 5th in strikeouts), LF Charcer Burks was 3rd in walks, tied for 7th in runs scored, and was 10th in OBP (but was also 8th in strikeouts), and RF Jeffrey Baez was 2nd in the league in SB.

MIDWEST LEAGUE: South Bend LF Eloy Jimenez led the league in doubles and SLG, was 2nd in RBI, 3rd in BA, 4th in hits, and tied for 6th in HR, C P. J. Higgins was 3rd in walks and OBP, RF Eddy Julio Martinez was 5th in runs scored and tied for 8th in RBI, and CF Donnie Dewees led the MWL in triples despite a mid-season promotion to Myrtle Beach.

NORTHWEST LEAGUE: Eugene 3B Wladimir Galindo tied for 2nd in the NWL in HR and doubles, was 3rd in SLG, 4th in runs scored, tied for 7th in triples, was 8th in RBI, and 10th in walks, LF Kevonte Mitchell was 7th in runs scored and tied for 9th in HR and SB, CF D. J. Wilson was 3rd in SB, and RHSP Dylan Cease was 4th in the league in strikeouts.

ARIZONA LEAGUE: AZL Cubs SS Isaac Paredes was tied for 4th in the league in doubles and was 8th in BA.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE: DSL Cubs #1 CF Jose Gutierrez led the DSL in triples and SS Rafael Narea was 4th in SB and tied for 8th in walks, and DSL Cubs #2 LHSP Faustino Carrera was 4th in the DSL in ERA and 8th in wins and IP.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I have no idea how hard he throws--I'm mostly a box-score scout, with a glimpse here and there of a Carolina League player--but I know he misses bats. I use the Kyle-Hendricks rule: if you strike out 7.7 batters every nine innings in the minors, you might succeed in the majors. When Paul Blackburn, a very high (supplemental-round) 2012 pick, went to Seattle in the Montgomery deal, I didn't care, even though he was getting people out in the minors, because his K/9 was in the 6.2-6.3 range. That's Casey Coleman territory. Clifton and Morrison are both around 9.1 so far.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I am as skeptical as you about Preston Morrison; however, I have seen him pitch and he has a wicked sinker with a low 3/4 arm angle. The sinker moves late and tails into righties. Hitters continually swing over the pitch. He is very methodical and consistent at setting up hitters and getting outs. Whether he can continue to do that in the upper minors is a the big question as with all minor league pitchers. He is fun to watch when he's getting multiple 1-2-3 innings. He makes it look so easy.

[ ]

In reply to by videographer

i love guys like this because they pretty much have to put up a 0.01 ERA and/or throw left handed to get prospect love. it's nice when a hendricks or a j.collmenter (pre-control/command issues) shows up and deals some right handed slop out in an effective manner. shout out to livan hernandez, too.

Bad Hammel is bad. :( And to think, not 2 hours ago I barely refrained from commenting on AZ Phil not listing him for the projected playoff roster.

ham gets a 2nd inning...because none of this matters. we're just cruising to the playoffs, no worries over here.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

As far as I'm concerned, Chip Hammel's job for the rest of the regular season is to throw 100 pitches per game every 6 games until the end of the regular season, then chill and be near in case something goes wrong with one of the guys starting playoff games.

I can only think of 2 truly bad starts for the Cubs since the the AS break, and both were by Hammel (there may have been others, but I don't remember any). To be fair, one was in Colorado and the defense completely screwed him, but, still....Hendricks and Monty both had good starts in Colorado. Given that Joe seems to have very little confidence in Hammel, and it's probably between six innings of Lackey or Hammel for the playoff squad, Hammel probably doesn't make it.

Wow -- the Cardinals do it again, and this may finish the Pirates. Down a run in the 9th, 2 outs nobody on -- Carpenter PH HR -- on an 0-2 pitch -- then Molina double, Grichuk HR, Peralta HR. Now 9-6 STL. Impressive.

Looks like it's SF, STL and Mets for the 2 WC spots. Pirates and Marlins are toast. Mets have an easy schedule, including 6 with ATL, 3 with the Twins (!) and 7 with the Phils. Despite their injuries, they are looking pretty good for a WC spot. Cards still have 6 vs. Cubs. 4 vs. SF and 3 in Colorado, and get all 3 of those teams in a 10-game road trip. Ouch. In addition to 4 vs. STL, SF has 6 with LA. I think the best case for the Cubs is MadBum and SF beat either NYM or STL in the WC game. I like our odds against SF with MadBum only pitching once.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

i would love to root for MIA, but hiring barry bonds doesn't do anything for me. i loved watching what bonds did. it was unreal. i mean, when the hell will we see a circus like that again...four .500-.600 ob% seasons, monster homers, being walked with the bases loaded, etc? ...but he's a shithead cheater and i could live without seeing that again unless someone can do it clean. mark mcgwire sucks too, and he tried to drag some reporters down with him...screw you cards/dodgers/padres for hiring him.

Said this several times since last year, but I do not want to see Hammel start any Playoff game save a dire emergency. It is interesting when I checked, but Career, in pitches 1-25 in a game he has given up 67 HR. 27 more than the next 25 pitches, and a .271 BA. Invariiably, he gets behind early in games when he's "off" a little and things can get unhinged quickly. If ya'll remember, this is what exactly happened to him in his Playoff starts last year. Fortunately, his single in the NLDS saved his ass, helped get the Cubs the run back he gave up early, and Maddon had the sense to get his ass out of there. But he was not so lucky in the Mets loss and he helped bury the Cubs before most people got in their seats.

I was at game 4 last year when the Mets swept and Hammel couldn't go 2 innings.  Never want to see that again.

I get the Hammell angst, but overall he's been really good this year (especially in August). His bad games just tend to be brutal. He's given up three runs or fewer in 22 of his starts. He won't get a playoff start unless there's an emergency, but I guess I just kind of feel for the guy. Thanks to his finish last year and his playoff performance, he's kind of hated. #baseballtalk

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

$10M option next year for Hammel with a $2M buyout. Option becomes mutual if Hammel hits 200 innings this year but that's not going to happen.

I would think they'd bring him back, that's still pretty cheap unless they are pretty convinced on a reclamation project on the FA market they could get cheaper. Don't see them spending for Rich Hill. And they could trade him at that price, not for a big return mind you, but likely get the $$ off the books and get a little something in return if there's an overflow around spring training.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

The contract Jason Hammel signed post-2015 was for two years $20M ($9M in 2015, $9M in 2016, and $2M buy-out post-2016) or three years $30M ($9M in 2015, $9M in 2016, and $12M option in 2017). The 2017 option vests automatically with 200 IP in 2016 (not going to happen) or if he is traded, otherwise it is a club option with a buy-out.

So there is a $12M club option for 2017 or else a $2M buy-out (so declining the club option and paying the buy-out would save the Cubs $10M in 2017 payroll), and the Cubs must decide whether or not to exercise the club option after the conclusion of the World Series.

Hammel would certainly have some value in a trade post-2016, and so the Cubs will probably exercise the club option even if it's done with the intention of trading him prior to 2017 MLB Opening Day. 

For example, the Cubs could trade Hammel to a club in search of an established MLB starter prior to Opening Day, eat $2M in salary (the buy-out they would have had to pay if they did not exercise the club option) which would allow the other club to get Hammel for one year for $10M with the opportunity to extend a Qualifying Offer post-2017 if Hammel has a really good year, and then the Cubs would maybe get a prospect or two back while also saving $10M in 2017 payroll. 

It wouldn't be much different than when the Cubs traded Scott Feldman to Baltimore in 2013. Hammel is comparable to Feldman, and so if the Cubs can get a young Arrieta and Strop back in the deal, that would be OK.

I am mostly concerned about the Cubs "manufacturing" runs against the K-heavy pitchers they have faced. Particularly in the colder weather.

If the Cubs can hurry up & trade Hammel to Arizona ASAP after the World Series and before LaRussa and Stewart get fired, maybe they can get Archie Bradley and Braden Shipley back in the deal.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.