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

Confucius Say: "Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Cubs Win!"

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Josh Vitters went 3-4 with a single, a double, and a triple, a walk, one RBI, and two runs scored, Kyler Burke went 3-4 with two RBI and a run scored, and Carlos Perez had four singles, as the EXST Cubs banged-out 19 hits en route to an 8-6 victory over Team China at Fitch Park Field #3 this morning in Mesa.

Team China, which is based at the Peoria Sports Complex while preparing for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, was making its second appearance at Fitch Park during Extended Spring Training 2008. The EXST Cubs also have played two road games versus Team China in Peoria.

Team China is managed by ex-Cubs manager Jim Lefebvre, and he has his hands full trying to teach the most basic of fundamentals to a team full of "blank slates."

I first saw Team China out here a year ago, and although the team still needs a lot of work (especially the pitching staff, which mainly consists of soft-tossing right-handed breaking ball pitchers), there is no question that the Chinese are doing a better job of hitting, running the bases, and catching the ball than they did last year.

20-year old RHP Chris Huseby got the start for the Cubs today, and went one inning (20 pitches, only eight strikes). Because he has been having major control issues and has been struggling to throw strikes since Minor League Camp in March (in his last simulated game, he threw 30 pitches - 24 balls and only six strikes), Huseby rarely pitches in EXST games. So in an effort to help rebuild some confidence in the young right-hander, Boise pitching coach Tom Pratt had Huseby throw mostly change-ups and curve balls (Huseby fastballs tend to end up in the batter's ear). But even then he still threw more balls than strikes.  

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only)...

LINEUP:
1. Cesar Salazar, CF: 1-5 (2 RBI)
2a. Marwin Gonzalez, 2B: 0-3
2b. Jose Made, 2B: 1-2 (3B, R)
3. Josh Vitters, 3B: 3-4 (2B, 3B, RBI, 2 R, BB, K)
4. Kyler Burke, RF: 3-4 (2B, 2 RBI, R, BB, K)
5. Robinson Chirinos, DH-C: 2-5 (RBI, K)
6. Junior Lake, DH #2: 0-4 (GIDP)
7a. Carlos Perez, C: 4-4 (R)
7b. Dwayne Kemp, PR-DH 1-1 (R)
8. Drew Rundle, 1B: 2-3 (R, SH)
9. Starlin Castro, SS: 0-4 (SB, PO, GIDP)
10. Kevin Soto, LF: 2-3 (3B, R, 2 RBI, SF, K)

PITCHERS:
1. Chris Huseby - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP (20 pitches - 8 strikes, 12 balls)
2. Miguel Sierra - 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K (2/5 GO/FO)
3. Jose Pina - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (4/1 GO/FO)
4. Julio Pena - 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 2 K (2/2 GO/FO)     
5. Michael Bunton - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP

ERRORS (1):
Josh Vitters, E-5, bounced throw past 1st baseman allowing batter to reach base with two outs, then runner scored on two-out double.

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Carlos Perez, 0-1 CS, and one PB

WEATHER: Clear skies, game-time temperature in the 80's, with a S/W breeze. 

ATTENDANCE: 4, plus Cubs VP of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita was watching the game from the tower.  
 

Tags
Extended Spring Training
Chris Huseby
Josh Vitters
Kyler Burke
Team China
Jim Lefebvre

Comments

Submitted by Raisin101 on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 06:58 pm

Thanks, AZ Phil. Do you think there's any chance Huseby regains his control and mechanics this season? What happened between last season when he posted respectable numbers at Boise and this season? Also, Vitters has only been swinging the bat a few games now and this was a lesser opponent, but it appears he's getting back in shape after the tendonitis. About how much longer do you think he'll need to rehab before the rust is gone and he can head back to the MWL?

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 06:23 pm

Submitted by Raisin101 on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 4:58pm.

Thanks, AZ Phil.

Do you think there's any chance Huseby regains his control and mechanics this season? What happened between last season when he posted respectable numbers at Boise and this season?

Also, Vitters has only been swinging the bat a few games now and this was a lesser opponent, but it appears he's getting back in shape after the tendonitis. About how much longer do you think he'll need to rehab before the rust is gone and he can head back to the MWL?

====================

RAISIN: I don't think anybody knows what happened to Chris Huseby during the off-season that might have caused the extreme loss of control in 2008. He can't even play catch without throwing the ball away. It's just weird. But apparently it's all in his head. He doesn't have any arm problems (at least he says he doesn't).

I don't know what the Cubs plan to do with Josh Vitters, but I think it's fairly certain that he will either go back to Peoria or he will be assigned to Boise. He won't remain at Fitch Park past next week. If I had to guess, I would think Vitters will probably go to Boise initially, and then maybe back to Peoria later in the season (TBD).

He appears to be swinging the bat much better the last couple or three days. He also is wearing batting gloves, which I don't remember him wearing earlier this season.

But far more troubling than the bout with a finger blister at Minor League Camp and tendinitis in his hand at Peoria is the fact that Vitters has a MAJOR problem with making accurate throws to 1st base. If it persists, it will require a position change, probably to 1B, or perhaps to a corner OF spot.

Submitted by chattbaseball on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 06:56 pm

AZ Phil, it's difficult to really get a feel for how the guys are doing out in AZ since there's no official stats or game summaries published on MILB.com. Thanks for your hard work keeping everyone informed! With that said, do you think Burke will remain in AZ, report to Boise, or head back to Peoria in the next few weeks?

Submitted by tbone on Tue, 06/03/2008 - 06:15 am

"I don't think anybody knows what happened to Chris Huseby during the off-season that might have caused the extreme loss of control in 2008." Damn the Cubs for sending Huseby to the Steve Blass Pitching Adventure Camp last fall.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 06/03/2008 - 06:44 pm

Submitted by chattbaseball on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 6:56pm.

AZ Phil, it's difficult to really get a feel for how the guys are doing out in AZ since there's no official stats or game summaries published on MILB.com. Thanks for your hard work keeping everyone informed!

With that said, do you think Burke will remain in AZ, report to Boise, or head back to Peoria in the next few weeks?

=========================

CHATT B: I believe Kyler Burke will be assigned to Boise on 6/12 (that's when the Boise Hawks leave Arizona), but he could get back up to Peoria before too long, depending on how he is hitting and whether there is a spot open for him there. 

At the time Burke was demoted from Peoria to EXST, he was in the midst of a hitting slump, but he also got sent down because the Peoria Chiefs had four left-handed hitting outfielders and they needed to drop one to make room on the roster for right-handed hitting LF Brandon Guyer (who had just completed his rehab at Fitch Park).

Leon Johnson was also slumping at the time, but Johnson and Cliff Andersen were the only players on the Peoria roster who could play CF, so given a choice between sending Burke or Johnson to EXST, the Cubs chose Burke.

I think another possible reason the Cubs chose to demote Burke when they did was because they want him to start thinking about a possible move to the mound at some point in the near future (he was highly rated LHP in HS). The Cubs would not make such a move unless Burke agreed to do it.

Recent comments

  • 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? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

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