Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Break-Up Team Banks!

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Chris Pieters tripled, singled twice, scored three runs, and knocked-in another, Gustavo Polanco belted a two-run double and a single and scored a run, Sam Tidaback drilled a two-run double, singled, and walked, Aramis Ademan doubled twice and scored two runs and drove-in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Zack Short tripled and singled and scored two runs, as Team Banks hammered out 16 hits (including seven XBH) en route to an 11-3 drubbing of Team Santo in Cubs Arizona Instructional League intrasquad game action Saturday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.  

The two teams combined to commit nine errors, including three by Team Santo third-baseman Christopher Morel. 

Here is the box score from the game: 

TEAM SANTO LINEUP:
1. Jose Gutierrez, CF: 2-3 (BB, 1B, 1B, 6-3, R, SB, CS)
2. Yonathan Perlaza, 2B-DH: 2-4 (1B+E5, 1B, K, 3-U, SB)
3. Jonathan Sierra, RF: 0-3 (L-7 SF, F-9, E-3, E-6, R, RBI, SB)
4. Rafael Mejia, 1B: 1-4 (K, K, K, 1B)
5. Christopher Morel, 3B: 0-4 (F-8, 6-3, 5-3, 6-3, RBI)
6. Luis Diaz, DH-2B: 0-3 (K, K, K)
7. Isaac Paredes, DH #2: 1-3 (3-U, F-7, 2B, R)
8a. Jhonny Pereda, C: 0-2 (4-3, F-9)
8b. Carlos Diaz, C: 0-1 (K)
9. Fernando Kelli, LF: 0-3 (1-3, 5-3, 5-3) 
10. Andruw Monasterio, SS: 1-3 (6-3, K, 1B, RBI, CS)

TEAM BANKS LINEUP:
1. Luis Ayala, CF: 0-4 (E-5, L-7, F-8, 4-3, R, SB)
2. Zack Short, 3B: 2-4 (F-8, 1-3, 3B, 1B, 2 R)
3. Aramis Ademan, SS: 2-3 (F-7 SF, 2B, K, 2B, 2 R, RBI)
4. Wladimir Galindo, 1B: 1-3 (6-3, 1B, BB, K, R, RBI) 
5. Chris Pieters, LF: 3-4 (3B, 1B, 1B, E-3, 3 R, RBI) 
6. Gustavo Polanco C-DH: 2-4 (1B, 2B, 5-U FC+E5, 4-6-3 DP, R, 2 RBI)
7. Kwang-Min Kwon, RF: 0-3 (K, BB, K, F-8)
8. Sam Tidaback, DH-C: 2-3 (F-7, BB, 2B, 1B, 2 RBI) 
9. Yeiler Peguero, 2B-DH: 1-4 (2B, K, 4-3, K)
10. Delvin Zinn, DH-2B: 1-2 (1B+E5, K, R, SB)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
11. Rafael Narea, DH #3: 2-3 (4-3, 1B, 1B, RBI, CS)

TEAM SANTO PITCHERS: 
1. Alfredo Colorado: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 BALK, 1/3 GO/AO, 32 pitches (22 strikes) 
2. Tyson Miller: 1.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 3/0 GO/AO, 32 pitches (21 strikes)  
3. Yunior Perez: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/AO, 32 pitches (18 strikes) 
4. Eury Ramos: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 2/0 GO/AO, 17 pitches (10 strikes)  
5. Tyler Peyton: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 1/0 GO/AO, 11 pitches (7 strikes)   
6. Chad Hockin: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/AO, 19 pitches (12 strikes)  

TEAM BANKS PITCHERS: 
1. Bryan Hudson: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 2/2 GO/AO, 29 pitches (18 strikes)
2. Faustino Carrera: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 3/1 GO/AO, 21 pitches (17 strikes)
3. Hector Garcia: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 22 pitches (14 strikes)
4. Fauris Guerrero: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 2/0 GO/AO, 29 pitches (21 strikes)
5. Wyatt Short: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 3/0 GO/AO, 22 pitches (17 strikes)

TEAM SANTO ERRORS: 5 
1. 3B Christopher Morel: E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
2. 3B Christopher Morel: E-5 (errant throw to 1st base after 5-U FC allowed batter to advance to 2nd & runner to advance to 3rd)
3. 3B Christopher Morel; E-5 (errant throw to 1st base on infield single allowed batter to advance to 2nd)  
4. RF Jonathan Sierra: E-9 (errant throw to 3rd base on double to RF allowed runner to score) 
5. 1B Rafael Mejia: E-3 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

TEAM BANKS ERRORS: 4
1. 3B Zack Short: E-6 (errant throw to 1st base on infield single allowed batter to advance to 2nd & runner to advance to 3rd) 
2. 1B Wladimir Galindo: E-3 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
3. C Sam Tidaback E-2 (overthrow on stolen base attempt at 2nd base allowed runner to advance to 3rd)
4. SS Andruw Monasterio: E-6 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

TEAM SANTO CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
1. Jhonny Pereda: 1-2 CS 
2. Carlos Diaz: 0-1 CS 

TEAM BANKS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
1. Gustavo Polanco: 1-3 CS 
2. Sam Tidaback: 1-2 CS, 1 E (see above)  

TEAM SANTO OUTFIELD ASSISTS: 2 
LF Fernando Kelli - threw out batter 7-6-5 attempting to stretch double into triple 
CF Jose Gutierrez - threw out batter 8-6 attempting to stretch single into double  

ATTENDANCE: 16 (mostly scouts)

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's 

Tags
Cubs AZ Instructional League
Chris Pieters
Gustavo Polanco
Sam Tidaback
Aramis Ademan
Zack Short
Christopher Morel

Comments

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sun, 10/02/2016 - 10:57 pm

HAGSAG: Although he has a tendency to sometimes be a bit too passive at the plate and swing & miss a bit too much when he does swing, Chris Pieters has some promise as a hitter. He has a short line-drive stroke (albeit without much HR power), and a good batting eye that help him work counts and draw walks. He also has above-average speed (he's a lanky long-strider) with excellent base-stealing technique. And he has a strong (though not always accurate) arm (he's an ex-LHP).

In other words, basically the traits you would looks for in a CF prospect.

Unfortunately, Pieters has difficulty tracking fly balls and making accurate throws (that's why he has been playing mostly 1B since getting converted to a position player). Still, the Cubs very much want Pieters to play OF (preferably CF), so he has been working hard to improve his outfield defense at instructs.  

Fielding percentage is a not necessarily a great way to evaluate a player defensively, but Pieters fielding percentage in LF this past season (.909) and in CF last season (.943) is what you would expect to see from a defensively-challenged third-baseman or shortstop, not from an outfielder. And it's not a fluke, either. He really does have a LOT of difficulty tracking fly balls and line drives and making accurate throws from the outfield.  

That said, I would expect Pieters to play mostly OF next season at South Bend (even if it's a struggle), because he really doesn't fit the profile of a first-baseman (though he is a decent defender at 1B). 

So I wouldn't necessarily call him a "prospect" at this point. Probably more like a "project with potential." 

Submitted by KingKongvsGodzilla on Sun, 10/02/2016 - 10:51 pm

AZPhil, Love this time of year and, as usual, appreciate your reports. Any word on velocity for Faustino Carrera? Any impressions? I'd say he and Marquez are my favorite candidates to become serious SP prospects within the next 3 years. IIRC I may have read a CJ Wilson comp on Carrera physically, but maybe I am not remembering correctly. Actually since I have early favorites already....Any impressions on Jose Gutierrez, Jonathan Sierra, Miguel Amaya, Carrera, Marquez, or Carlos Ocampo?

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sun, 10/02/2016 - 10:31 pm

KING KONG v. GODZILLA: Obviously it's still early, but I'll tell you what I can. Faustino Carrera is an advanced pitcher for his age, the classic crafty lefty with a plus curve, an occasional change-up, and an 86-88 MPH fastball that he uses to paint the corners and to set-up his off-speed stuff. Jose Gutierrez is a solid defender in CF with a strong and accurate arm, and he has above-average speed, is a smart baserunner, and he has a line-drive stroke from both sides of the plate. I would expect him to play CF and be the lead-off hitter at AZL Cubs next season. Physically speaking Jonathan Sierra looks like a young Darryl Strawberry, but he has an opposite-field stroke without much loft. The Cubs hitting instructors have been working with Sierra one-on-one to get him to pull inside pitches more and to maybe get a bit of a loft on his swing. It's gone well in BP so far, but he needs to translate it to games. Right now he is a bit of a project defensively in RF. Miguel Amaya has put on some muscle since I last saw him at Extended Spring Training. He has good mechanics behind the plate and he also has a strong & accurate arm, and his hitting has promise although it lags a bit behind his defense right now. Carlos Ocampo has a "live" arm but he is essentially a fastball-first pitcher (93-94) with major command issues. The two times I've seen him throw to hitters (one "live" BP and once in a game) he couldn't find the strike zone. He's probably a long-term project, like Junior Marte and Andry Rondon. Brailyn Marquez is a tall lefty (listed at 6'4, but probably more like 6'5 or 6'6) who is similar to Bryan Hudson. Marquez doesn't throw as hard as Hudson at this point (Marquez tops out at 91, while Hudson works at 89-91 but touches 92-93), but he's also two years younger. Like Hudson, Marquez gets a lot of ground balls with a two-seamer that he generally throws for strikes, and he has a decent curve, too, and he's working on a change-up.

[ ]

Submitted by KingKongvsGodzilla on Sun, 10/02/2016 - 10:57 pm

Awesome, thanks. I've read in the past that Marquez has touched at least as high as 92 (McDaniel) and Carrera sat 87-89 (CCO, I assume sourced from BA), so is it possible these velocities are related to late year fatigue? After all these are the two that held up best during the DSL summer and logged the most innings at the youngest ages. 93-94 from a RH like Ocampo is one way to perk me up. I'm impressed by his K rate (21%) as a 17 YO in a league with an 18% K rate. Same for both Marquez (20%) and even Carrera (19%). There's some video of him out there and I have to say I get a Matt Garza-ish-esque image in my head if things goes very, very well over the next 4-7 years. Great to hear on Gutierrez, who showed more bat to ball skills (15% K rate) than I think other teams thought he might.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sun, 10/02/2016 - 10:15 pm

KING KONG VS GODZILLA: Velocity readings for a certain pitcher can vary depending on the circumstances, and there can be some fluctuation from year-to-year or even game-to-game, depending on the pitcher and how fresh or tired his arm might be. In the case of Carrera, he doesn't have a lot projection physically, so what you see in velocity right now is probably pretty much what you'll get long-term. But with Marquez, there could be a velocity increase at some point. I would also mention that results matter, too. Some pitchers figure out how to make the best use of what they've got (Kyle Hendricks being the poster boy for that), while others with high velocity fastballs never figure it out and can't get out of "A" ball.

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 10/02/2016 - 10:20 pm

cub@@!#!#@!#!@!!! 5-4, top 9, 2 out double scoring 2 runs. CIN bullpen = epic.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    cubs getting crazy good at not having player moves leak.

    taillon we 100% know is pitching tonight.  who he's replacing and any additional moves are unknown as far as i can tell.

    p.wisdom was not in today's lineup in iowa (rained out) and he was removed from the game last night mid-game, but not for injury.  good bet he's with the team in the bigs, too.

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

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