Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

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

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs 2010 AZ Instructional League - Final Stats

Here are the FINAL unofficial statistics for the Cubs AZ Instructional League team. (There is no Official Scorer at Instructs games, so the stats are not official).

2010 Cubs AZ Instructional League record: 7-9-4 (20 GAMES)

* Bats or throws left
* Bats both

POSITION PLAYERS:

Slash line = AVG/OBP/SLUG

CATCHERS:

* Sergio Burruel (age 19) - 2010 at AZL Cubs (2009 19th Round - Trevor Browne HS - Phoenix, AZ)
144/343/185
13 GAMES – 35 PA (4-27, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 R, 7 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 2 GIDP, 1 PO)
DEFENSE: 3-5 CS (60%), 1 E, 0 PB

# Micah Gibbs (age 22) - 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 3rd Round - LSU)
194/356/308
13 GAMES – 45 PA (7-36, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 R, 8 BB, 8 K, 1 HBP)
DEFENSE: 7-10 CS (70%), 0 E, 0 PB

Max Kwan (age 23) – Pro debut (2010 NDFA - U. of Washington)
185/258/222
14 GAMES – 31 PA (5-27, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 13 K, 1 HBP, 1 SH, 1 CS, 1 PO)
DEFENSE: 0-6 CS (0%), 1 E, 1 PB

Chad Noble (age 22) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 37th Round - Northwestern)
250/500/250
3 GAMES – 6 PA (1-4, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K)
DEFENSE: 0-1 CS (0%), 0 E, 0 PB

# Engel Santana (age 21) – U. S. debut - 2010 at DSL Cubs #1 (2010 FA - Dominican Republic)
167/200/167
9 GAMES – 20 PA (3-18, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 1 SF)
DEFENSE: 1-3 CS (33%), 1 E, 4 PB

INFIELDERS:

Gioskar Amaya (age 17) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #1 (2010 FA - Venezuela)
282/293/411
16 GAMES – 41 PA (11-39, 1 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB, 12 K, 2 GIDP, 1 SH)
DEFENSE (2B, 3B, SS): 1 E

* Justin Bour (age 22) – 2010 at Peoria (2009 25th Round - George Mason U.)
289/317/342
13 GAMES – 41 PA (11-38, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K, 2 GIDP, 1 HBP, 1 SF)
DEFENSE (1B): 1 E

Willson Contreras (age 18) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #2 (2009 FA - Venezuela)
219/264/375
14 GAMES - 34 PA (7-32, 2 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 2 HBP, 1 GIDP)
DEFENSE (3B-2B-1B): 2 E

* Ryan Cuneo (age 22) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 20th Round - U. of Delaware)
195/350/361
16 GAMES – 46 PA (7-36, 4 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 7 BB, 6 K, 2 HBP, 1 SF)
DEFENSE: (1B-LF-3B): 1 E

* Pin-Chieh Chen ( age 19) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2009 FA - Taiwan)
000/286/000
4 GAMES – 7 PA (0-5, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 SB, 1 CS)
DEFENSE (2B): 0 E

* Wes Darvill (age 19) – 2010 at Boise & AZL Cubs (2009 5th Round - Canadian Junior National Team)
000/154/000
5 GAMES – 13 PA (0-11, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 1 SB, 0 CS)
DEFENSE (SS-2B): 0 E

Dustin Geiger (age 18) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2010 24th Round - Merritt Island HS - Brevard County, FL)
152/257/182
15 GAMES – 39 PA (5-33, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 9 K, 2 HBP, 1 SF, 2 SB, 1 CS)
DEFENSE (3B-1B): 8 E

# Marco Hernandez (age 18) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #2 & DSL Cubs #1 (2010 FA - Dominican Republic)
250/275/278
14 GAMES – 40 PA (9-36, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 8 R, 2 BB, 9 K, 1 GIDP, 1 SH, 1 SF, 0 SB, 1 CS, 2 PO)
DEFENSE (SS-2B): 4 E

* Hak-Ju Lee (age 19) – 2010 at Peoria (2008 FA - South Korea)
294/368/383
11 GAMES - 38 PA (10-34, 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, 7 K, 1 GIDP, 3 SB, 1 CS, 1 PO)
DEFENSE (SS): 0 E

Josh Vitters (age 21) – 2010 at Daytona & Tennessee (2007 1st round - Cypress HS - Cypress, CA)
333/300/444
3 GAMES – 10 PA (3-9, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 SF)
DEFENSE (3B-1B): 0 E

* Logan Watkins (age 21) – 2010 at Peoria (2008 21st Round - Goddard HS - Goddard, KS)
231/324/308
12 GAMES – 34 PA (6-26, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 HBP, 1 GIDP, 3 SH, 1 SB, 0 CS, 1 PO)
DEFENSE (2B-CF): 1 E

OUTFIELDERS

* Delbis Arcila (age 17) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #2 & DSL Cubs #1 (2010 FA - Venezuela)
084/214/125
9 GAMES – 28 PA (2-24, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB, 10 K, 1 HBP)
DEFENSE (LF-RF): 0 E, 0 ASSISTS

Xavier Batista (age 18) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2009 FA - Dominican Republic)
225/326/375
15 GAMES – 46 PA (9-40, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 5 BB, 14 K, 1 HBP, 1 SB, 1 CS)
DEFENSE (RF-LF): 0 E, 2 ASSISTS

Evan Crawford (age 22) – 2010 at Augusta & Daytona (SF Giants 2009 9th Round - Indiana U.)
385/400/641
10 GAMES – 40 PA (15-39, 4 2B, 3 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 8 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 4 SB, 1 CS)
DEFENSE (CF-RF): 0 E, 0 ASSISTS

Reggie Golden (age19) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2010 2nd Round - Wetumpka HS - Wetumpka, AL)
263/364/500
14 GAMES – 44 PA (10-38, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1 R, 5 BB, 14 K, 1 HBP, 1 SB, 3 CS, 1 PO)
DEFENSE (RF-CF-LF): 3 E, 2 ASSISTS

Jae-Hoon Ha (age 19) – 2010 at Peoria (2008 FA - South Korea)
313/303/563
9 GAMES – 33 PA (10-32, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2 GIDP, 1 SF, 5 SB, 0 CS)
DEFENSE (CF-RF): 0 E, 1 ASSIST

Chris Huseby (age 22) – ex-RHP – 2010 at Daytona (RHP) & Boise (OF) - (2006 11th Round - Martin County HS - Stuart, FL)
179/214/205
15 GAMES – 42 PA (7-39, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 16 K, 1 HBP, 1 SF)
DEFENSE (LF-RF): 1 E, 0 ASSISTS

* Kyung-Min Na (age 18) – 2010 at Boise (2009 FA - South Korea)
PINCH-RUNNER
1 GAME

# Oliver Zapata (age 18) – U. S. debut - 2010 at DSL Cubs #1 (2010 FA - Domincan Republic)
371/439/572
16 GAMES – 41 PA (13-35, 2 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 10 R, 5 BB, 9 K, 1 SH, 1 SB, 0 CS)
DEFENSE (RF-CF-LF): 3 E, 2 ASSISTS

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

PITCHERS:

* Hunter Ackerman (age 19) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2010 4th Round - Louisburg JC)
8.00 ERA - 2.00 WHIP - .381 Opp BA
9.0 IP, 16 H, 8 R (8 ER), 2 BB, 8 K, 3 WP, 1 GIDP, 12/7 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (0 GS), 1 E

* Brent Ebinger (age 22) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 32nd Round - Lambuth U.)
6.35 ERA – 1.59 WHIP - .261 Opp BA
5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R (4 ER), 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, 5/8 GO/FO, 3 GAMES (2 GS)

Dustin Fitzgerald (age 20) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 19th Round - Hill JC)
7.45 ERA – 1.55 WHIP - .317 Opp BA
9.2 IP, 13 H, 8 R (8 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, 1 GIDP, 11/12 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (1 GS)

* Cam Greathouse (age 20) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 8th Round - Gulf Coast CC)
10.13 ERA – 2.25 WHIP - .364 Opp BA
5.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R (6 ER), 4 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 2 HBP, 1 WP, 2 GIDP, 2 BALK, 10/0 GO/FO, 3 GAMES (1 GS)

* Casey Harman (age 21) – Pro debut (2010 29th Round - Clemson)
8.64 ERA – 2.04 WHIP - .359 Opp BA
8.1 IP, 14 H, 8 R (8 ER), 3 BB, 8 K, 1 WP, 2 PO, 3/7 GO/FO, 7 GAMES (0 GS)

Ryan Hartman (age 18) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2010 16th Round - Mt Zion HS -Mt. Zion, IL)
4.82 ERA – 1.18 WHIP - .212 Opp BA
9.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R (5 ER), 4 BB, 6 K, 2 HR, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 2 GIDP, 1 BALK, 9/12GO/FO, 5 GAMES (0 GS)

Jin-Yeong Kim (age 18) – Pro debut (2010 FA - South Korea)
7.20 ERA – 1.30 WHIP - .286 Opp BA
10.0 IP, 12 H, 8 R (8 ER), 1 BB, 12 K, 1 HR, 1 WP, 8/8 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (3 GS)

Aaron Kurcz (age 20) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 10th Round - College of Southern Nevada)
0.77 ERA – 0.43 WHIP - .079 Opp BA
11.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 20 K, 6/8 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (3 GS)

Luis Liria (age 20) – 2010 at Boise & Peoria (2007 FA - Dominican Republic) 
5.79 ERA – 1.61 WHIP - .282 Opp BA
9.1 IP, 11 H, 8 R (6 ER), 4 BB, 10 K, 2 HR, 1 WP, 12/6 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (0 GS), 1 E

Matt Loosen (age 21) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 23rd Round - Jacksonville U.)
1.23 ERA – 1.36 WHIP - .276 Opp BA
7.1 IP, 8 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 1 GIDP, 4/8 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (2 GS)

Robinson Lopez (age 19) – 2010 at Rome & Peoria (Atlanta Braves 2008 FA - Dominican Republic)
3.60 ERA – 1.40 WHIP - .211 Opp BA
5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 3 K, 1 PO, 6/4 GO/FO, 3 GAMES (2 GS)

* Jeff Lorick (age 22) – 2010 at Rome, Myrtle Beach, and Peoria (Atlanta Braves 2009 20th Round - U. of Virginia)
1.74 ERA – 0.87 WHIP - .189 Opp BA
10.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 8 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 15/8 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (3 GS)

Tarlandus Mitchell (age 20) – 2010 at Boise (2008 22nd Round - Alto HS - Alto, TX)
5.73 ERA – 1.64 WHIP - .250 Opp BA
11.0 IP, 11 H, 9 R (7 ER), 7 BB, 9 K, 1 HR, 2 WP, 1 BALK, 18/4 GO/FO, 6 GAMES (0 GS)

Amaury Paulino (age 19) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #2 & DSL Cubs #1 (2009 FA - Dominican Republic)
6.00 ERA – 1.83 WHIP - .273 Opp BA
6.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R (4 ER), 5 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 2 GIDP, 1 PO, 9/3 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (0 GS)

Starling Peralta (age 19) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #2 & DSL Cubs #1 (2008 FA - Dominican Republic) 
4.15 ERA – 1.15 WHIP - .265 Opp BA
8.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 10 K, 2 HR, 2 WP, 1 GIDP, 8/6 GO/FO, 6 GAMES (0 GS)

Austin Reed (age 18) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2010 12th Round - Rancho Cucamonga HS - Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
1.86 ERA – 0.93 WHIP - .235 Opp BA
9.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 3 WP, 1 GIDP, 6/11 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (1 GS)

Kevin Rhoderick (age 22) – Pro debut (2010 9th Round - Oregon State)
2.57 ERA – 1.71 WHIP - .240 Opp BA
7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 6 BB, 10 K, 2 GIDP, 9/2 GO/FO, 7 GAMES (0 GS)

Jhon Rodriguez (age 20) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2008 FA - Venezuela)
4.50 ERA – 1.60 WHIP – 317 Opp BA
10.0 IP, 13 H, 6 R (5 ER), 3 BB, 7 K, 2 HBP, 1 WP, 2 GIDP, 1 PO, 14/6 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (0 GS)

* Brian Smith (age 17) – Pro debut (2010 40th Round- Canadian Junior National Team)
30.00 ERA – 4.33 WHIP - .527 Opp BA
3.0 IP, 10 H, 12 R (10 ER), 3 BB, 4 K, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 1 BALK, 3/2 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (0 GS)

Alvaro Sosa (age 24) – ex-C – 2010 at Boise & AZL Cubs (2004 FA - Dominican Republic)
5.06 ERA – 1.59 WHIP - .304 Opp BA
10.2 IP, 14 H, 6 R (6 ER), 3 BB, 6 K, 2 WP, 2 HBP, 10/15 GO/FO, 6 GAMES (1 GS)

Charles Thomas (age 22) - ex-3B – 2010 at Peoria (3B) and AZL Cubs (RHP) - (2009 10th Round - Edward Waters College)
1.50 ERA – 0.67 WHIP - .143 Opp BA
6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 2/11 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (0 GS)

Ben Wells (age 18) – Pro debut (2010 7th Round - Bryant HS - Bryant, AR)
0.00 ERA – 0.55 WHIP - .120 Opp BA
7.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K, 1 BALK, 6/7 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (2 GS)

Comments

I assume there's a few Simpsons fans around here. I finally got around to cueing up the MoneyBart episode from last week ... not a bad spotlight for sabermetrics. The "money" quote, courtesy of Moe: “The only thing I know about strategy is that whatever the manager does, it’s wrong. Unless it works, in that case he’s a button-pusher.”

I'm a Sandberg fan, but why do people keep exaggerating his success in the minors? Here is Phil Rogers a couple of hours ago:
Sandberg . . . has earned the job with his combination of a Hall of Fame standing and four successful years managing in the Cubs' system
How successful was Sandberg's second year at Peoria, when they ended up 60-78? How hard is it to look this stuff up? As I noted once before, at the end of four seasons as manager in the Cub minors, Sandberg was seven games over .500. Quade was eleven over in 5-6 weeks! And Quade was managing the not-so-hot Cubs in the major leagues. According to Rogers, by the way, "Wedge has been telling his confidantes that Jim Hendry was going to hire him to manage the Cubs if Joe Girardi wasn't available."

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

let's try apples to apples at least Quade's minor league record: 1985 56-82 (A ball, Pirates) 1986 54-84 (A Ball, Pirates) 1989 74-59 (A Ball, Expos) 1990 56-80 (A Ball, Expos) 1991 87-53 (AA, Expos - Minor League Manager of the Year) 1992 78-59 (AA, Expos) 1993 73-59 (AAA, Expos - Minor League Manager of the Year) 1994 62-80 (AAA, Phillies) 1995 70-72 (AAA, Phillies) 1996 77-61 (A ball, Athletics - League Champions) 1997 77-62 (AA, Athletics) 1998 76-67 (AAA, Athletics) 1999 84-58 (AAA, won AAA championship) 2003 70-72 (AAA, Cubs) 2004 79-64 (AAA, Cubs) 2005 64-75 (AAA, Cubs) 2006 76-68 (AAA, Cubs - lost tiebreaker and didn't make playoffs) 1213 - 1155 (.512%) (hope my math is right) Sandberg 2007 71-68 (A), tied for 1st place in 2nd half but lost tiebreaker 2008 60-78 (A), finished 7th in both halves 2009 71-69 (AA), won 2nd half and first round of playoffs, lost in finals 2010 82-62 (AAA), lost tiebreaker and didn't make playoffs, named PCL Manager of Year 284-277 (.506%)

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

When Sandberg is involved in "the big game"--as, for example, when a playoff berth is at stake--I'd be happy if he just hung around past the second inning. Right now I'm rooting for the Yankees to finish up their season, one way or another, as quickly as possible. If, as likely, it comes down to Sandberg and Quade, I will probably be disappointed if Quade gets the nod, but not because he isn't a better big-league manager right now. I take what Quade did with the Cubs seriously. Wins don't just happen. Real Neal told us a long time ago that Piniella was incompetent; but Quade proved it.

OF Brandon Guyer at 360/429/520 with one HR and one double so far in Venezuela (six games), while teammate 3B Marquez Smith is at 174/240/391 with one HR and two doubles. Guyer is a lock to get added to the 40-man roster by the 11/20 deadline, but Marquez Smith is on the bubble and probably will need a strong showing in the VWL to get a slot on the 40. RHP Kyle Smit (a long-shot candidate to get added to the 40) has pitched well in his first two outings with the Mesa Solar Sox in the AFL (four innings of shutout ball, allowing two hits and a walk with four strikeouts). Smit was one of the players acquired by the Cubs from the Dodgers in July for Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot.

WSCR just announced its Mike Quade with a 2 year contract. Press conference at 3pm Chicago time today.

sandberg on espn 1000 no bench job offer digesting all of it now next job will be mlb manager not thinking about aaa job for next year, will listen on all calls probably not heading back to cubs interviewed by ricketts,bush and kinney ugh

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).