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 Extended Spring Training In Overdrive

Brandon May reached base four times, scored four runs, and drove-in two more, Jonathan Mota knocked-in three runs, and Charles Thomas had three hits, leading the EXST Cubs to a 15-7 drubbing of the EXST Giants at Fitch Park Field #3 this morning in Mesa.

Today was Cactus League Extended Spring Training (EXST) Opening Day in the Valley of the Sun, as the EXST Cubs played the first of 38 games they will be playing over the next eight weeks.

The Cubs Extended Spring Training squad consists of 50 players (40 active players plus ten more on injury rehab assignments). The Cubs EXST squad is managed by Boise manager Jody Davis, with AZL Cubs manager Juan Cabreja assisting Jo-DEE. Jeff Fassero and Rick Tronerud are the pitching coaches, and Ricardo Medina and Desi Wilson are the hitting coaches.

In addition to the hitting heroics by May, Mota, and Thomas, 20-year old Dominican RHP Luis Liria used his plus change-up to strike out six Giant hitters in three innings of work in relief, and side-armin’ LHP James Leverton struck out all four men he faced. RHP David Patton (who was up with the Cubs for much of last season) threw one inning, striking out the last two men he faced (both looking). Both Leverton and Patton were assigned to Extended Spring Training after they fell behind other pitchers in Minor League Camp, but both now look about ready to get their Letter of Transit out of Arizona.

Jonathan Mota is at Extended Spring Training learning the art of catching, something he just started doing at Minor League Camp last month. He will get assigned to a full-season squad once he gets more experience behind the plate. (Mota is eligible to be a Rule 55 Minor League FA post-2010).

Also, 21-year old outfielder Albert Hernandez (295/397/440 for DSL Cubs #1 in 2009) has arrived at Fitch Park from the Dominican Academy and was in the lineup today. (He did not report to Minor League Camp last month with the other DSL players who are making their U. S. debut in 2010).

Here is today’s abridged box score (EXST Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Francisco Guzman, CF: 2-5 (6-3, 3-1, 1B, 1B, 3-U, 2 R, 2 RBI)
2. Arismendy Alcantara, SS: 2-5 (K, 1B, E-5, 3B, 6-3, 2 R, RBI)
3. Bobby Wagner, 1B: 1-4 (4-3, 2B, F-8 SF, 3-U, 5-3, R, RBI)
4. Brandon May, 3B: 2-3 (BB, 1B, 1B, 4-3, BB, 4 R, 2 RBI)
5. Charles Thomas, DH #1: 3-5 (F-8, 1B+E9, 1B, 6-3, 1B, R, RBI)
6a. Jonathan Mota, C-2B: 2-4 (K, E-6, 2B, 2B, 3 RBI)
6b. Wes Darvill, PH-2B: 1-1 (1B, RBI)
7. Albert Hernandez, RF: 1-5 (2B, 1-3, 6-3, K, F-9, R, RBI)
8a. D. J. Fitzgerald, DH #2: 2-3 (2B, K, BB, 2B, 2 R, RBI)
8b. Jae-Hoon Ha, C: 0-1 (6-3)
9a. Cody Shields, LF: 0-3 (E-1, K, K, R)
9b. Runey Davis, LF: 0-1 (1-3, HBP)
10a. Rafael Disla, 2B-DH: 2-4 (2B, 4-3, 1B, 3-U, R, 2 RBI, SB)
10b. Carlos Romero, PH: 0-1 (K)

PITCHERS
1. John Mincone – 2.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R (5 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1 BALK, 5/2 GO/FO, 47 pitches (30 strikes)
2. David Patton – 1.0 IP, 1 H 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 13 pitches (9 strikes)
3. Luis Liria – 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 6 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 56 pitches (40 strikes)
4. James Leverton – 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 21 pitches (13 strikes)
5. Rogelio Carmona - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 10 pitches (6 strikes)

ERRORS: (1)
SS Arismendy Alcantara E-6 (two-base throwing error resulted in unearned run scoring)

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Jonathan Mota: 0-2 CS
Jae-Hoon Ha: 0-2 CS, 1 PB

OUTFIELD ASSIST:
Francisco Guzman: Doubled runner off 1st base 8-6-3

ATTENDANCE: 4 (includes Giants bus driver)

WEATHER: Warm & VERY breezy

Comments

Awesome to hear things go going. Some questions Darvill - IIRC, someone last year said that he didn't have the arm strength to stay at short (might've been you actually). I'm just curious how he looks on the field. Seems like he's the kid that has good athleticism/speed now, and is expected to have/gain power as he ages, while losing said a lot of said athleticism. Is there any chance he has a shot at short? Is a positive comp perhaps Ryan Flaherty? How does Albert Hernandez's frame look? IIRC, he was a skinny guy. Do you have any idea if Charles Thomas will get time at 3rd? I know no one expects him to stick there, but considering the weakness at 3rd in the system, I wouldn't trying him there a bit longer. What does Liria's arsenal look like? Well, mainly curious about his FB, because I don't recall. Also curious about how Carmona looked. FB/Slider guy, right? FB in the 92-94 range, from what I recall. I remember you pointing him out two years ago, and he's stuck in my mind since then. Great to have you back. Thanks for the great info.

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

Submitted by toonsterwu on Tue, 04/13/2010 - 1:21am. Awesome to hear things go going. Some questions Darvill - IIRC, someone last year said that he didn't have the arm strength to stay at short (might've been you actually). I'm just curious how he looks on the field. Seems like he's the kid that has good athleticism/speed now, and is expected to have/gain power as he ages, while losing said a lot of said athleticism. Is there any chance he has a shot at short? Is a positive comp perhaps Ryan Flaherty? How does Albert Hernandez's frame look? IIRC, he was a skinny guy. Do you have any idea if Charles Thomas will get time at 3rd? I know no one expects him to stick there, but considering the weakness at 3rd in the system, I wouldn't trying him there a bit longer. What does Liria's arsenal look like? Well, mainly curious about his FB, because I don't recall. Also curious about how Carmona looked. FB/Slider guy, right? FB in the 92-94 range, from what I recall. I remember you pointing him out two years ago, and he's stuck in my mind since then. Great to have you back. Thanks for the great info. ===================================================== TOONSTER: Wes Darvill just turned 18, and he has lots of rough edges. He is a long-term project. I doubt VERY much that he can stay at SS, but he probably could play 2B (as he did yesterday), or maybe 1B or LF (but only if he develops some HR power). He has speed like LeMahieu and Flaherty, which is to say that although he's not a burner, he runs well but with a long stride. At the plate, he has a tendency to try and pull everything, which is OK if he hits HR, but maybe not so good if he doesn't develop HR power. We'll just have to wait to see how his body develops over the next two or three years, and (most importantly) how he responds to coaching. Albert Hernandez has a medium build. I wouldn't call him skinny, but he's not Muscle Beach Party, either. He has quick wrists. Luis Liria throws a low 90's fastball with an outstanding change-up and an OK breaking ball. He has the repertoire & stamina needed to be a starting pitcher. Rogelio Carmona throws a 92-94 MPH fastball, and it's a "heavy" fastball, too. You don't see balls hit hard against him. He has pretty good control. He usually comes in throwing strikes. He doesn't mess around. The problem with guys like Carmona (and some other Latin pitchers who have been released over the past year or so, like D. Nunez, J. Pena, A. Santana, et al), is that while they have promise, they don't project as a starting pitcher, but they don't have the exceptional stuff (or one really outstanding pitch) you look for in a set-up guy or closer, either. The fact is, "A"-ball RH middle relievers--even ones that put up solid numbers--usually get released. You have to either be a starter, a closer, a set-up man, or a LHP to progress to AA. At least that's how it is in the Cubs system.

[ ]

In reply to by Hagsag

Submitted by Hagsag on Tue, 04/13/2010 - 7:41am. Az Phil: Are the young Koreans staying in the USA for the Summer? Thanks. ========================================= HAGSAG: It appears that they all will be staying in the U. S, although it's always possible one or more might go home to attend school (as happened with Su-Min Jung last year). I suspect RHP Jin-Keong Kim (who got a $1.2M bonus when he signed last month) will probably begin his pro career at the MLB Australian Academy and then get invited to Instructs (Fitch Park) post-2010. Several other Asian players (including Hak-Ju Lee) did that after signing with the Cubs. BTW, the Cubs now have two Korean coaches, Woong-Chun Cho and Min-Kyu Sung. Cho played pro ball in Korea (he was a pitcher), and Sung is the bilingual OF who played college ball at Nebraska-Omaha, and then was signed by the Cubs as a NDFA player-coach to help mentor Dae-Eun Rhee at Peoria a couple of years ago. The Cubs also have a couple of Korean trainers at Fitch Park.

Hey Phil, first time poster but long time reader on here. I'm very appreciative of your stuff and very impressed with your dedication to learning names as well as scouting them out. It's not for everyone, making it all the more impressive. Do you think you could shed some light on Arismendy Alcantara. I've been reading the DSL stuff on the Cubs the past couple years, but I don't really see any gems. I saw Alcantara but you never really know what to expect because these Caribbean players can be so volatile and inconsistent. In your opinion, do you see him being able to make strides like say, a Starlin Castro, or do you see him ending up like more of a Junior Lake. Obviously, I'm not all that familiar with his skills, but what do you see as his strong suits, what his weaknesses are (saw the error above), and what his ceiling could be. Obviously, the better shortstop prospects we have in the organization, really the better of you can be (as they can move around the infield, move to the outfield ie Bj Upton, etc.) Also, did the Cubs come away impressed with Wagner Mateo when he worked with AA during the spring? Haven't really heard anything about him recently, maybe they just weren't impressed? I'm sure you'd know more about it than we do. Anxiously awaiting your reply. Thanks a ton

[ ]

In reply to by W Flag

Submitted by W Flag on Tue, 04/13/2010 - 10:29am. Hey Phil, first time poster but long time reader on here. I'm very appreciative of your stuff and very impressed with your dedication to learning names as well as scouting them out. It's not for everyone, making it all the more impressive. Do you think you could shed some light on Arismendy Alcantara. I've been reading the DSL stuff on the Cubs the past couple years, but I don't really see any gems. I saw Alcantara but you never really know what to expect because these Caribbean players can be so volatile and inconsistent. In your opinion, do you see him being able to make strides like say, a Starlin Castro, or do you see him ending up like more of a Junior Lake. Obviously, I'm not all that familiar with his skills, but what do you see as his strong suits, what his weaknesses are (saw the error above), and what his ceiling could be. Obviously, the better shortstop prospects we have in the organization, really the better of you can be (as they can move around the infield, move to the outfield ie Bj Upton, etc.) Also, did the Cubs come away impressed with Wagner Mateo when he worked with AA during the spring? Haven't really heard anything about him recently, maybe they just weren't impressed? I'm sure you'd know more about it than we do. Anxiously awaiting your reply. Thanks a ton ===================================================== W FLAG: Unlike Castro, Lake or HJ Lee, Arismendy Alcantara is a little guy, sort of a water bug. He has plus-speed and a plus-arm, he has the range and arm needed to play SS (as well as 2B), and he looks like he can hit, too (he's a switch-hitter). He is only 18 years old, so he might still be maturing physically. It's interesting that the Cubs brought their four fastest DSL guys (Bieneme, A. Ramirez, Alcantara, and Disla) to Minor League Camp this Spring, while waiting to bring hitters like A. Hernandez, X. Batista, Camarena, and Pestana up to Fitch until just the last week. I think the Cubs were impressed with Wagner Mateo and would probably like to sign him. I thought he looked pretty good at the plate at Fitch Park (he had an extended BP session prior to the AA game), although his outfield defense needs work. I guess it's a matter of which team makes the best offer. So far I have heard nothing about when he will be making his decision, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs end up signing him.

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.