Cubs MLB Roster

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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 

 



 

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Rule 5 Draft 
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Arizona Phil's Archives

Your 2019 Eugene Emeralds!

6/12 UPDATE/CHANGES

SS Luis Vazquez has been moved-down to Eugene from AAA Iowa and C Marcus Mastrobuoni has been reinstated from the South Bend 7-day IL and so his rehab assignment at Eugene has been canceled.  

C-1B Danny Zardon has been moved up to Eugene from AZL Cubs #1, and SS Luis Verdugo has been moved down to AZL Cubs #2 from Eugene.  

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


6/9 ORIGINAL POST 6/9


The Northwest League begins play this coming Friday (6/14). 

Here is the provisional 2019 Eugene Emeralds Opening Day roster (subject to change). 

In most cases 2019 draft picks will be initially assigned to one of the Cubs two AZL squads.

 

2019 Cubs MLB First-Year Player Draft Ticker Tracker

CUBS 2019 MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT PICKS 

DAY ONE (6/3)

1st ROUND (27) 
Ryan Jensen, RHP  
R/R, 6'0 180, Age 21 
Fresno State  
COLLEGE JR 
AREA SCOUT: Gabe Zappin   
COMMENT: Bulldogs Friday starter... 2019 Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Year... 12-1 with a 2.88 ERA & 1.09 WHIP, 82 hits allowed (only three HR), 27/107 BB/K in 100 IP, 16 games (15 GS) with one CG shutout in 2019... features a mid-90's FB that touches 98 and has run & sink... also features a plus-hard SL and a usable CH, but is primarliy a FB/SL pitcher... a "late bloomer" who had significant command issues in 2017-18 but obviously he improved his control in 2019... worked out of the bullpen in 2017 before moving to starting rotation in 2018...   
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $2,570,100 

2nd ROUND (64) 
Chase Strumpf, 2B 
R/R, 6'1 191, Age 21 
UCLA 
COLLEGE JR 
AREA SCOUT: Tom Myers 
COMMENT: Bat-first infielder with below average range and a below-average arm that limits him to playing 2B only... hit 363/475/633 with 12 HR & 53 RBI and 23 doubles in 58 games in 2018 and was named All-Pac 12 and consensus 2nd Team All-American as a sophomore and was named a first-team pre-season All-American by Baseball America going into his junior year, but he had a disappointing 2019 campaign (289/431/469 in 53 games) although he was 7th in the Pac-12 in walks... hit 26 HR and 44 doubles and collected 121 RBI in 166 career games at UCLA over the course of three seasons... played for Duluth in the summer collegiate wood-bat Northwoods League in 2017 and hit 335/425/549 with six HR & 32 RBI and 15 doubles in 44 games...    
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $1,050,300

++++++++++++++++++++++++

DAY TWO (6/4)  

3rd ROUND (103) 
Michael McAvene, RHP 
R/R, 6'3 210, Age 21 
U. of Louisville
COLLEGE JR  
AREA SCOUT: Jacob Williams 
COMMENT: Cardinals closer... posted 2.67 ERA & 0.79 WHIP with 16 hits (three HR) allowed and 9/46 BB/K over 30.1 IP in 21 games in 2019... was recruited as a SP but was moved to bullpen after undergoing TJS in 2017... missed most of the 2017-18 seasons... features a 92-95 MPH four-seam FB that touches 96-97 and a plus-SL, but FB was clocked at 100 MPH in ACC tournament last month... doesn't use his CH much after moving to the pen... was suspended four games this past weekend after arguing a ball-strike call with an umpire in an NCAA Regional game... was a college teammate of Cubs minor league RHP Riley Thompson (Cubs 2018 11th round draft pick- U. of Louisville)...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $565,600

4th ROUND (132)
Chris Clarke, RHP 
R/R, 6'7 212, Age 20 
USC 
COLLEGE JR 
AREA SCOUT: Tom Myers 
COMMENT: Began season as set-up guy but inherited the closer job when previous USC closer was moved to starting rotation... had TJS in HS and still has difficulty throwing on back-to-back days. so he's more of a multi-inning type "fireman" who can close out a game than a more-conventional one-inning closer... 1.03 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and .170 OppBA with 32 hits (only two HR) allowed and 18/60 BB/K in 52.1 IP for Trojans in 2019... features 92-95 MPH two-seamer with sink and a plus-CV (which is his swing & miss pitch)... a true scholar-athlete who graduated from HS when he was 16...    
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $426,600 

5th ROUND (162)
Josh Burgmann, RHP 
R/R, 6'0 205, Age 21 
U. of Washington 
COLLEGE JR 
AREA SCOUT: Gabe Sandy 
COMMENT: Huskies Friday starter... finished tied for 2nd in strikeouts in Pac-12 Conference in 2019... posted a 4-6 record with a 3.99 ERA & 1.39 WHIP with 88 hits (9 HR) allowed and 22/101 BB/K in 79.0 IP (14 GS) for Huskies in 2019... extreme strike-thrower with outstanding command... pitched for Canadian 18U Junior National Team in 2014-16...attended Vauxhall Baseball Academy in Alberta (Canada) and was selected by STL in 30th round of 2016 draft but did not sign... had TJS in 2017... worked out of u-dub bullpen during rehab season in 2018 before developing a put-away slider and moving into starting rotation in 2019... features full array of starter's repertoire (low-90's FB, SL, CV, and CH)... was a college teammate of Cubs minor league INF Levi Jordan (Cubs 2018 29th round draft pick - U. of Washington)... 
BONUS SLOT VALUE:  $318,200

6th ROUND (192)
Ethan Hearn, C 
L/R, 6'1 195, Age 18 
Mobile Christian School - Mobile, AL 
HIGH SCHOOL  
COLLEGE COMMIT: Mississippi State 
AREA SCOUT: Alex McClure
COMMENT: Top high school catcher in the draft and #3 catching prospect behind only #1 overall pick Adley Rutschman (Oregon State) and 1st round (9th overall) pick Shea Langeliers (Baylor)... has plus-arm and plus-power... receiving needs work...  will require significant overslot bonus to sign (probably $1M+)... 
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $247,000

7th ROUND (222) 
Brad Deppermann, RHP 
R/R, 6'0 190, Age 22 
U. of North Florida 
COLLEGE 5th YEAR (REDSHIRT SR)
AREA SCOUT: Tom Clark  
COMMENT: Ospreys Friday starter... Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year... led conference in strikeouts... posted 6-5 record with 2.46 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and .217 OppBA, and allowed 76 hits (five HR) and 24/108 BB/K in 95 IP in 2019... was selected by Cubs in 31st round of 2014 draft out of East Lake HS (Tarpon Springs, FL) but did not sign... has likely agreed in advance to a substantially underslot signing bonus so that Cubs can re-allocate balance of #222 bonus slot value toward Hearn's bonus...  
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $194,400

8th ROUND (252)
D. J. Herz, LHP 
R/L, 6'2 185, Age 18 
Terry Sanford HS - Fayetteville, NC 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of North Carolina 
AREA SCOUT: Billy Swoope 
COMMENT: Rated the #2 HS pitching prospect in North Carolina... three-sport star in HS (football QB, basketball SG, and baseball LHP)... 0.50 ERA with 17/106 BB/K in 56.1 IP at TSHS in 2019... features 88-91 MPH FB but has touched mid-90's in showcases... also features an inconsistent hard-slider and he has had command issues from time-to-time... will almost certainly require over-slot bonus to sign... might be difficult for Cubs to find enough excess bonus slot values elsewhere in top 10 rounds so that both Hearn and Herz can be signed (TBD)...    
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $162,700

9th ROUND (282) 
Tyler Schlaffer, RHP 
R/R, 6'1 180, Age 18
Homewood-Flossmoor HS - Flossmoor, IL 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: UIC 
AREA SCOUT: John Pedrotty 
COMMENT: Two-way player in HS (RHP/SS)... features 90-93 MPH FB that touches 94, mid-70's CV, and a plus-CH... 
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $149,800

10th ROUND (312) 
Wyatt Hendrie, C 
R/R, 5'11 195, Age 20 
Antelope Valley College 
JC FRESHMAN  
AREA SCOUT: Tom Myers 
COMMENT: Athletic catcher with a plus-arm (43% CS in 2019) and above-average speed (14 SB)... was OF in HS but was converted to catcher at AVC... hit 410/479/610 with two HR & 26 RBI, ten doubles and ten triples, and 16/23 BB/K in 38 games (166 PA) for the Marauders in 2019... has compact swing and flat swing-plane...  
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $142,200

++++++++++++++++++++++


DAY THREE (6/5)

NOTE: A signing bonus in excess of $125,000 for any player selected in Rounds 11-40 as well as for any player eligible for selection in the draft who is not selected and who is subsequently signed as a Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) count against a club's Rule 4 Draft Signing Bonus Pool (SBP). 

11th ROUND (342)
Mack Chambers III, SS 
B/R, 5'11 170, Age 19 
Seminole State 
JC FRESHMAN 
AREA SCOUT: Ty Nichols
COMMENT: Hit 404/489/565 with 8 HR & 64 RBI, 21 doubles, and four triples, 34/27 BB/K, 14 SB (4 CS) for Trojans in 2019... played for his father (Mack Chambers Jr) at Seminole State... was HS teammate of Cubs 2018 6th round draft pick RHP Kohl Franklin at Broken Arrow HS in Broken Arrow, OK...  

12th ROUND (372)
Hunter Bigge, RHP 
R/R, 6'0 205, Age 20 
Harvard 
COLLEGE JR 
AREA SCOUT: Matt Sherman 
COMMENT: Posted 4.37 ERA & 1.56 WHIP and allowed 119 hits in 119.1 innings with 64/120 BB/K over the course of three seasons at Harvard... two-way player (RHP/3B) first two seasons at Harvard... hit 296/362/466 in 79 games as position player... became full-time starting pitcher 2019... hit 280/368/378 and posted 3.14 ERA with 47 hits allowed and 18/52 BB/K in 51.2 IP (10 GS) for Duluth in Northwoods League (summer collegiate wood-bat league) in 2018...  best pitch is 94-96 MPH FB... also has average CV... has had command issues throughout his college career... projects as a reliever in pro ball... National Merit Scholar in HS (Los Gatos HS - Los Gatos, CA)...  

13th ROUND (402)
Porter Hodge, RHP 
R/R, 6'4 230, Age 18 
Cottonwood Senior HS - Murray, UT 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Utah 
AREA SCOUT: Steve McFarland 
COMMENT: Led his HS to Utah 5-A state championship in 2019... 19-3 with 1.50 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, allowed 82 hits (no HR) with 60/163 BB/K in 130.2 IP (30 games - 20 GS - 10 CG - 6 shutouts) over course of career at CSHS... 

14th ROUND (432)
Ryan Reynolds, 3B 
B/R, 6'2, 215, Age 21 
U. of Texas 
COLLEGE  JR 
AREA SCOUT: Steve Riha 
COMMENT: Hit .272/394/397 with four HR & 32 RBI, 11 doubles, 30/30 BB/K in 54 games for Longhorns in 2019... Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2019... Rawlings Perfect Game HS All-American Honorable Mention in 2016... hit 289/418/400 for Santa Barbara in California Collegiate League (summer collegiate wood-bat league) in 2017 and 227/308/364 for Cotuit in Cape Cod League (the premier summer collegiate wood bat league) in 2018... son of ex-MLB RHP Shane Reynolds...  was college teammate of Cubs minor league LHP Josh Sawyer (Cubs 2018 16th round draft pick - U. of Texas) and was a HS teammate of Cubs minor league INF Jake Slaughter (2018 18th tround draft pick - LSU) at Ouachita Christian HS (Monroe, LA)... 

15th ROUND (462)
Zach Bryant, RHP 
R/R, 6'1 210, Age 21 
Jacksonville University 
COLLEGE JR 
AREA SCOUT: Tom Clark 
COMMENT: Dolphins closer... allowed 20 hits (no HR) with 19/44 BB/K in 31 IP (28 games) for Jacksonville in 2019... was second in saves in Atlantic Sun Conference... transferrd to Jacksonville from Daytona State College (88 hits and four HR allowed with 36/94 BB/K in 87.2 IP and 45 games at DSC 2017-18)... was selected by Cubs on his 21st birthday...

16th ROUND
(492)
Johzan Oquendo, RHP 
R/R, 6'2 180, Age 18 
Leadership Christian Academy - Guaynabo, PR 
HIGH SCHOOL  
COLLEGE COMMIT: Broward College 
AREA SCOUT: Edwards Guzman
COMMENT: Features 91 MPH FB... was HS teammate of Cubs minor league INF Miguel Pabon (Cubs 2018 34th round draft pick)...

17th ROUND (522)
Tanner Dalton, RHP 
R/R, 6'2 195, Age 22 
Sacramento State 
COLLEGE SR 
AREA SCOUT: Gabe Zappin 
COMMENT: Hornets closer... posted 2.50 ERA and 16 saves with 73 hits (five HR) allowed and 34/110 BB/K in 100.2 IP (61 games) over the course of two seasons at Sac State... owned & operated a landscaping & snow removal business in Alberta (Canada) before enrolling in the Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge, Alberta, in 2016... went 4-0 with a 2.36 ERA for Lethbridge in Western Baseball Major League (summer collegiate wood-bat league) in 2016... transferred to Sacramento State in 2018... 

18th ROUND
(552)
Alex Moore, RHP 
R/R, 6'3 205, Age 22 
Lander University 
COLLEGE SR 
AREA SCOUT: Keith Lockhart
COMMENT: Bearcats Friday starter... went 4-4 with 5.32 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, allowing 68 hits (two HR) with 33/84 BB/K in 69.1 IP for NCAA D-2 Lander in 2019 after going 2-5 with a 6.20 ERA while allowing 62 hits with 25/65 BB/K as a SP/RP "swing-man" in 2018... 

19th ROUND (582)
Adam Laskey, LHP 
R/L, 6'3 205, Age 21 
Duke 
COLLEGE JR 
AREA SCOUT: Billy Swoope 
COMMENT: Rated a Top 10 round talent and was the Blue Devils Friday starter at the start of the 2019 season but missed most of the season with injury... went 1-0 with 6.00 ERA and .277 OppBA, allowing 13 hits (no HR) with 10/13 BB/K in 12 IP in 2019 before being shut-down in April... was 2018 Cape Cod League Pitcher of the Year after going 5-0 with 1.19 ERA with 11/26 BB/K in 31.1 IP for Falmouth (Cape Cod League is the premier summer collegiate wood-bat league)... Rawlings/Perfect Game third team All-American and was rated the #150 HS prospect in USA and the #6 prospect in NJ in 2016... was selected by SF in 31st round of 2016 draft but did not sign... 

20th ROUND (612)
Darius Hill, LF
L/L, 6'1 190, Age 21 
West Virginia  
COLLEGE SR 
AREA SCOUT: Jacob Williams 
COMMENT: Hit 304/365/511 with 6 HR & 38 RBI, 22 doubles, 18/30 BB/K, in 52 games for Mountaineers in 2019... named to All-Big 12 Freshman team in 2016... Louisville Slugger first-team All-American at Jesuit College Preparatory School (Dallas, TX) in 2015... has below-average arm & below average speed...  

21st ROUND (642)
Nelson Maldonado, LF 
R/R, 5'10 195, Age 22 
U. of Florida 
COLLEGE SR 
AREA SCOUT: John Koronka 
COMMENT: Played 3B in HS but was a DH/LF in college... Hit 335/397/581 with 10 HR & 43 RBI, 14 doubles, and 21/32 BB/K in 55 games for Gators in 2019... was known as a short-stroke high-contact hitter prior to 2018 season (hit .400 in SEC games and put-up a .449 OBP for the full-season in 2017) before altering his swing and showing more XBH power in 2018-19... hit 308/444/517 with 4 HR & 22 RBI and 11 doubles for Madison in Northwoods League (summer collegiate wood-bat league) after his freshman season in 2016... 

22nd ROUND
(672)
Elian Almanzar, RHP 
L/R, 6'4 210, Age 19 
Florence-Darlington Tech 
JC FRESHMAN 
AREA SCOUT: Tom Clark 
COMMENT: Went 4-0 with 4.73 ERA, allowing 28 hits (no HR) with 26/30 BB/K in 26.2 IP (10 games - 9 GS) for Stingers in 2019... projectable-but-raw RHSP with promising 89 MPH FB... secondary pitches need work... 

23rd ROUND (702) 
Manny Collier, CF 
R/R, 5'10 170, Age 18 
Westwood HS - Mesa, AZ
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: South Mountain CC 
AREA SCOUT: Steve McFarland 
COMMENT: HS football star (WR) at Westwood... baseball is his second sport and so he is very raw... also is basketball PG... has plus-plus speed... below-average arm... moved to Arizona from Chicago when he was nine... Westwood HS is located about a mile from the Cubs UAPC at Riverview Park in Mesa so the Cubs know all about Manny Collier and he knows all about the Cubs...  

24th ROUND (732)
Grayson Byrd, INF 
L/R, 6'3 205, Age 22 
Clemson 
COLLEGE 5th YEAR (REDSHIRT SENIOR)
AREA SCOUT: Keith Lockhart
COMMENT: Hit 326/405/604 with 15 HR & 56 RBI, 14 doubles, and 25/40 BB/K in 56 games for Tigers in 2019... transferred to Clemson in 2016 after spending freshman year at LSU... played SS in college but projects as 2B-3B in pro ball... son of ex-MLB RHP and current Atlanta Braves announcer Paul Byrd... member of 18U USA Junior National Team in 2012 but was assigned to Team USA Developmental Team... selected out of HS by Atlanta Braves in 39th round of 2014 draft but did not sign...  

25th ROUND (762)
Zac Taylor, CF 
R/R, 6'1 185, Age 23 
U. of Illinois 
COLLEGE 5th YEAR (REDSHIRT SR) 
AREA SCOUT: John Pedrotty 
COMMENT: First-team All-Big Ten in 2019... led Big Ten in stolen bases in 2019... hit 321/405/612 with 10 HR & 29 RBI, 12 doubles and three triples, 31/38 BB/K, and 23 SB, in 53 games for Illini in 2019... transferred to Illinois from U. of Houston after 2016 season... selected by MIN in 36th round of 2018 draft but did not sign... graduated from Downers Grove South HS (Downers Grove, IL) in 2014...   

26th ROUND (792)
Jacob Olson, INF 
R/R, 6'0 200, Age 22 
U. of South Carolina
COLLEGE SR 
AREA SCOUT: Tom Clark 
COMMENT: Hit 258/336/512 with 13 HR & 37 RBI, 14 doubles, 15/40 BB/K, and eight SB, in 56 games for Gamecocks in 2019..  hit 308/333/495 for Chatham in Cape Cod League (the premier summer collegiate wood-bat league) after sophomore season in 2017...  versatile & athletic defender who can play anywhere in the infield & outfield... spent freshman season at West Georgia Tech and was named to GCAA first-team in 2016... was selected by AZ in 39th round of 2016 draft but did not sign... 

27th ROUND (822)
Cayne Ueckert, RHP 
R/R, 6'3 195, Age 23 
McNeese State 
COLLEGE SR 
AREA SCOUT: Trey Forkerway  
COMMENT: SP/RP swing-man... posted 3-3 record with 6.04 ERA & 1.76 WHIP, with 59 hits (three HR) allowed and 30/48 BB/K in 50.2 IP (18 games - 10 GS) for Cowboys in 2019... went 3-3 with 25 K in 42.2 IP (11 games) for Anchorage Bucs in Alaska Baseball League (summer collegiate wood-bat league) in 2018... transferred to McNeese State from Panola College after sophomore year... 

28th ROUND (852)
Chris Kachmar, RHP 
R/R, 6'3 180, Age 22 
Lipscomb University
COLLEGE SR 
AREA SCOUT: Alex McClure
COMMENT: Bisons Friday starter... went 9-3 with a 3.61 ERA, 78 hits (7 HR) allowed, with 41/94 BB/K, in 94.2 IP (15 GS) in 2019... spent freshman year at Fairleigh-Dickinson University, then transferred to Palm Beach State College, and then transferred to Lipscomb from PBSC after sophomore year...  

29th ROUND (882)
Jake Washer, C 
R/R, 6'0 220, Age 23 
East Carolina 
COLLEGE SR 
AREA SCOUT: Billy Swoope 
COMMENT: Johnny Bench Award semi-finalist in 2018... hit 285/385/481 with 19 HR & 87 RBI, 19 doubles, and 60/101 BB/K, in 121 career games at ECU... 17% CS as a catcher for Pirates in 2019... was named WPAC Player of the Year in both his junior and senior years in HS... 

30th ROUND (912) 
Bryan King, LHP
R/L, 6'1 184, Age 22 
McNesse State 
COLLEGE SR 
AREA SCOUT: Trey Forkerway 
COMMENT: Lefty reliever... 4-1 and a 3.44 ERA, with 46 hits (four HR) allowed, and 22/50 BB/K in 49 IP in 2019... was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American after impressive debut season in 2016 but struggled as a SP in both his sophomore and junior seasons (too many walks allowed in 2017 and too many hits and HR allowed in 2018) before being moved to the bullpen in 2019... college teammate of Cubs 27th round pick Cayne Ueckert... 

31st ROUND (942)
Shane Combs, RHP 
R/R, 6'2 219, Age 22 
Notre Dame 
COLLEGE SR 
AREA SCOUT: John Pedrotty  
COMMENT: Little-used righty reliever... posted a 4.70 ERA & 1.89 WHIP and allowed 10 hits (no HR) and 19/17 BB/K in 15 IP (14 games) for the Fighting Irish in 2019... was rated the #2 high school RHP in Massachusetts as a HS senior in 2015... had TJS in 2015, did not pitch in 2016, and appeared in only five games (combined) in 2017-18... 

32nd ROUND (972)
Bryce Windham, IF-OF 
L/R, 6'1 190. Age 22 
Old Dominion 
COLLEGE SR 
AREA SCOUT: Billy Swoope 
COMMENT: High-contact bat-first utility player who can play just about anywhere (2B-3B-SS-LF-CF-RF)... hit 343/465/419 with 44/13 BB/K, and nine SB for the Monarchs in 2019...  played QB and led Saint Mary Catholic Central HS to Michigan state high school football championship in 2014...  

33rd ROUND (1002)
Ryan Ritter, SS 
R/R, 6'1 170, Age 18  
Lincoln Way East HS - Frankfort, IL 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: Austin Peay State 
AREA SCOUT: John Pedrotty
COMMENT: Hit .500 with three HR & eight doubles for the Griffins in 2019... 

34th ROUND (1032)
Nolan Letzgus, RHP 
R/R, 6'0 175, Age 18 
Heritage HS - Ringgold, GA 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: Walters State CC  
AREA SCOUT: Keith Lockhart 
COMMENT: Posted 3-1 record, 0.72 ERA, and .136 OppBA, with 14 hits allowed and 12/48 BB/K in 29 IP (6 GS) for the Rams in 2019... FB 88-92 T-94, CV 79-81, CH 79-80, and SL 80-82... outstanding all-around athlete who served as the DH when he wasn't pitching, was a star WR & KR on his HS football team, and he plays basketball, too (10.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in his senior yesr)...  

35th ROUND (1062)
Hunter Patteson, LHP 
L/L, 6'4 170, Age 19 
Vero Beach HS - Vero Beach, FL 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: UCF 
AREA SCOUT: John Koronka 
COMMENT: Posted 6-1 record, 0.96 ERA, and 1.06 WHIP, with 21 hits allowed and 18/77 BB/K in 51 IP (10 GS) for the Fighting Indians in 2019... features 84-87 T-89 FB, and mid-70's CH and SL...    

36th ROUND (1092)
Jayson Hoopes, RHP 
R/R, 6'3 190, Age 18 
St. Augustine Prep - Buena Vista Township, NJ 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Virginia  
AREA SCOUT: Matt Sherman
COMMENT: Features 89-92 T-94 FB and a mid-70's CV.. switched his college commit from Wagner to UVA prior to the draft... 

37th ROUND (1122) 
Jaylon McLaughlin, CF
B/R, 5'11 165, Age 21  
U. of Nevada 
COLLEGE JR 
AREA SCOUT: Gabe Zappin 
COMMENT: Speedy defense-first CF from Santa Monica, CA... hit 289/348/381 with 4 HR & 38 RBI, 10 doubles and five triples, 29/89 BB/K, and 32 SB (5 CS) in 111 career games over the course of three seasons in Reno... was selected by NYM in 38th round of 2016 draft but did not sign... 

38th ROUND (1152)
Marc Davis, 3B/RHP 
R/R, 6'3 190, Age 19 
Florida Southwestern State College  
JC FRESHMAN 
AREA SCOUT: John Koronka 
COMMENT: Cubs drafted him as a 3B but he was the closer at FSW... 2.96 ERA with 15 hits (no HR) allowed and 16/41 BB/K in 24.1 IP for the Bucs in 2019... he was a two-way player (1st team All-State as SS/RHP) at South Gwinnett HS in Georgia, however...  

39th ROUND (1182)
Mason Auer, CF/RHP 
R/R, 6'0 185, Age 18
Kickapoo HS - Springfield, MO  
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: Missouri State 
AREA SCOUT: Ty Nichols 
COMMENT: A two-way player in HS, Auer is projected as a CF at higher levels depite displaying a 96 MPH FB (also a CV and CH) off the mound... hit .321 with two HR & 15 RBI at the plate and went 6-1 with a 0.79 ERA and 78 K in 10 GS for the Chiefs in 2019... 

40th ROUND (1212) 
Mac Bingham, CF 
R/R, 5'11 190, Age 18 
Torrey Pines HS - San Diego, CA 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: USC 
AREA SCOUT: Alex Lontayo
COMMENT: Was also the star RB on his HS football team... 

Cubs Have Little to Show for 2017 First-Round Pick

Eddy Julio Martinez reached base on a HBP, tripled, singled, stole a base, and scored, and collected an RBI with a sacrifice fly, Yonathan Perlaza tripled, singled, stole a base, and scored a run, Oswaldo Pina ripped a two-run double and a single, and SP Brendon Little tossed two perfect innings and combined with five relievers on a two-hitter, as the Cubs "A" team defeated the Giants Orange squad 5-1 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Saturday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

The game was pre-planned as a ten-inning contest. 

The Cubs 2017 1st round draft pick out of SCF - Sarasota-Manatee, Little saw his first game action of the season after suffering a lat strain in his first "live" BP session the first week of Minor League Camp in March. And Little didn't miss a beat, either, easily retiring all six Giants he faced (P-2, F-8, K * F-9, 4-3, 5-3) on just 14 pitches. He displayed a 92-94 MPH FB, a plus-CV, and a CH, and he had command of all three of his pitches and threw all three pitches for strikes. In fact he was so efficient that after he finished his two innings, he was sent down to the bullpen to throw an additional 15 pitches (five FB, five CV, and five CH). So things are looking up for Little. 

Prior to the Cactus League EXST game on Field #1, RHSP Keegan Thompson (on AA Tennessee 7-day IL since April 11th) threw a two-inning "sim" game on Field #5. 

Here is the abridged box score from the Cactus League EXST game on Field #1 (Cubs players only): 

Cubs and Angels Tie-Up Loose Ends After Nine

Rafael Mejia walloped a line-drive three-run HR over the LF fence to give the Cubs "B" team a 3-1 lead in the 5th, but Cam Williams (RBI double) and Michael Hermosillo (RBI single) stroked consecutive two-out run-scoring hits in the 7th for the Angels, as the two teams played to a 3-3 tie in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Friday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

The game was called after nine innings of play. 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

Slaughter Rules and Verdugo Goes Yard at EXST

Jake Slaughter drilled two singles (including a two-run single that put the "A" team on the board), walked, and scored a run, Herson Perez smacked an inside-the-park HR (ball bounced off fence and rolled into LF corner and Perez slid head-first into home just ahead of the tag), and SP Carlos Ocampo hurled four innings of shutout ball and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter, as the Cubs "A" team defeated the Cubs "B" team 8-1 in Extended Spring Training intrasquad game action Thursday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.   

Luis Verdugo belted a solo HR to account for the lone "B" team run. 

"B" team SP Didier Vargas retired the first nine batters he faced (6-3, K, L-9 * K, F-9, F-7 * K, K, 1-3) before running into trouble and surrendering two runs in the 4th on Slaughter's two-out two-run single.

The game was pre-planned as an eight-inning contest. 

Here is the box score from the game: 

Cubs No Match for Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields

Jose Daniel Reyes collected four hits (three singles and a triple), scored a run, and drove-in three, Jose Curpa belted two triples, scored two runs, and picked-up an RBI with a bases-loaded HBP, Jesus Marriaga tripled, singled, walked, and scored a run, Ryan January drilled a solo HR and a single, and walked and scored, and SP Luis Frias hurled four innings of one run / two-hit ball with seven strikeouts, as the Diamondbacks hammered the Cubs "A" team 8-2 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Wednesday morning on Whirlwind Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, east of Scottsdale, AZ.        

Josue Huma walloped a solo HR and Oswaldo Pina smacked an RBI triple for the Cubs. 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):

Cubs Rehabbers Shut-Down D'backs at Riverview

SP Erick Leal tossed five innings of one-run ball and four relievers combined to hurl five shutout innings, leading the Cubs "B" team to a 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Tuesday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

The game was pre-planned as a ten-inning contest. 

At one point Cub pitchers retired 14 D'backs in a row. 

Four Cubs pitchers on Active Rehab at EXST saw action in the game: 

1. Erick Leal: FB 89-90 - CV 76-78 (62 pitches - 15 swings & misses)   
2. Tony Barnette: FB 90-91 - SL 81-84 
3. Danny Hultzen: FB 94-97 - SL 85-86 (12 pitches - seven swings & misses) 
4. Chad Hockin: FB 90 - SL 84-86 

In his three EXST game outings Hultzen has been unhittable. He has thrown three shutout innings (75% strikes) with eight strikeouts while allowing no walks and just an infield single and a weak P-6. His max FB velo has increased from 92 to 96 to 97 and his SL velo increased from 84 to 86 in a span of eight days. The difference seems to be that he has changed to a lower arm-slot (a lot like Andrew Miller circa 2015-16) which apparently puts less-stress on his shoulder and has led to a stunning uptick in his velo.

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):

Cubs Walk on the Wild Side at Riverview

Eddy Julio Martinez blasted a two-run HR and a triple (near-HR), and while the Cubs "A" team collected only four hits in the game (the EJM HR and triple and a couple of singles that didn't factor in the scoring), they drew 13 walks plus two HBP and stole six bases, edging the Athletics Green squad 4-3 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training Memorial Day game action Monday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.  

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):

Brennen Davis Flies-off to South Bend as A's Green Walk-off at Fitch Park

Iraj Serrano drilled a walk-off line-drive RBI single to RF with one out in the bottom of the 9th to drive-in Yhoelnys Gonzalez with the winning run as the Athletics Green squad rallied for a run in the 8th and one in the 9th to edge the Cubs "B" team 2-1 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Saturday morning on Field #4 at the Lew Wolff Training Complex at Fitch Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Fabian Pertuz singled twice, stole a base, and scored the lone Cub run, Caleb Knight rifled the sharply hit ground RBI single to CF that scored Pertuz, threw-out two A's baserunners attempting to steal, and back-picked another one off 1st base, and Jorge Remon, Blake Whitney, and Chris Allen combined to hurl six innings of one-hit shutout ball with eight strikeouts for the Cubs. 

Prior to the game, Cubs "B" team OF Brennen Davis (Cubs 2018 2nd round draft pick - Basha HS - Chandler, AZ) was moved up to Lo-A South Bend from EXST.

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

Giants Black Edge Cubs at Indian School Park

Ghordy Santos singled twice, stole two bases, and scored two runs and Luis Toribio drilled an RBI single, walked, and scored a run, helping the Giants Black squad edge the Cubs "A" team 3-2 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Friday morning on Field #2 (AKA "Jim Davenport Field") at Indian School Park in Scottsdale, AZ. 

Cubs infielder Herson Perez left the game after being hit on the helmet with a pitch, but he did leave the field under his own power. 

The game was pre-planned as a ten-inning contest. 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

Cubs Edge D'backs at Salt River Fields

Oswaldo Pina stroked three hits (singled, stole a base, and scored in the top of the 2nd inning, singled in the 4th, and smacked a solo HR leading off the 7th), Rochest Cruz, Henderson Perez, Brandon Vicens, and Raymond Pena collected two hits a piece, and SP Niels Stone hurled three innings of shutout ball, as the Cubs edged the Diamondbacks 4-3 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Thursday morning on Whirlwind Field at Salt Rivers Fields at Talking Stick east of Scottsdale, AZ.  

In addition to pelting D'backs pitchers with 13 hits, the Cubs also drew six walks in the game. 

The Cubs played only one Cactus League EXST game today, so the squad that traveled to Salt River Fields consisted of elements of both the Cubs "A" team and the Cubs "B" team. 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):

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.