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

Arizona Phil's Archives

Ballesteros Provides the Offense for Red Squad at Instructs

Moises Ballesteros ripped an RBI triple, walked twice, and scored a run, and five pitchers combined to hurl a two-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts, as the Cubs "Red Squad" blanked the Cubs "Blue Squad" 2-0 in AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Friday morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Ismael Mena collected the two Blue Squad hits (both singles), but he was thrown out attempting to steal both times he reached base.  

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

This was the final AZIL Cubs game. 
 
Here is the box score from the game: 

Triantos Goes Full Beast Mode at Instructs

James Triantos belted an RBI triple in the bottom of the first and crushed a tape-measure three-run HR in the 5th, Cristian Hernandez tripled and scored in the first, collected an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the 2nd, and drilled an RBI double and scored in the 5th, Haydn McGeary blasted a two-run HR, and four pitchers combined to hurl a three-hitter, as the Cubs "Red Squad" battered the Cubs "Blue Squad" 9-2 in AZ Instructional League intasquad game action Tuesday afternoon at Sloan Park In Mesa, AZ. 

Pedro Ramirez singled twice, stole a base, scored a run, and drove-in another, and Ismael Mena tripled and scored to account for the Blue Squad's three hits and two runs.  

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

Prior to the game, Nazier Mule and Koen Moreno threw one inning each (twenty pitches) of "live" BP, with Kevin Alcantara, Parker Chavers, and Raino Coran serving as the hitters.   

The AZIL Cubs have played only three games in the last ten days, instead spending most of their time working on ocular training, situational hitting, baserunning drills, fielding practice, cut-off drills, bullpen side sessions, and "live" BP, in addition to matriculating in the Pitch Lab and the Hitting Lab.  

Here is the box score from the game: 

2022 Cubs AZ Instructional League Roster

10/8 UPDATE

The Cubs have added RHP Juan Bello to their AZIL roster. Bello was signed as a 17-year old out of Colombia this past February, and spent the 2022 season pitching for DSL Cubs Red. He finished the season hurling a combined eight innings of no run / no hit ball over his last two starts. He is considered one of the Cubs top pitching prospects in the DSL.

++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

9/22 UPDATE
:

INF-OF Ezequiel Alvarez, OF Wilmer Bolivar, and OF Leonel Espinoza have been added to the Cubs instructs roster. All three spent the 2022 season on the DSL Cubs Blue 60-day IL, and they are presently rehabbing at the Cubs Nike Performance Center in Mesa.

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

9/21 UPDATE
:

RHP Joel Sierra, C David Avitia, and OF Cristian More have been added to the Cubs instructs roster. 

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


2022 CUBS ARIZONA INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE ROSTER
(last updated 10-8-2022) 

Rojas & Morel Lead the Way at Sloan Park

Jefferson Rojas belted a two-run HR to cap a three run first inning and drilled an RBI single and stole a base in the sixth, Rafael Morel singled three times, stole a base, scored three runs, and drove-in a run, Pedro Ramirez singled, walked, stole two bases, and scored a run, and SP Nick Hull and three relievers hurled seven innings of one-run ball and struck out ten, as the Cubs "Blue Squad" defeated the Cubs "Red Squad" 6-1 in AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Friday morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Andy Garriola laced a single and a double, stole a base, and scored a run for the "Red Squad" in a losing cause.  

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

Here is the box score from the game: 

Bain & Gonzalez Shut the Door at Riverview

Cristian Hernandez and Andy Garriola stroked run-scoring singles to highlight a three-run third and Max Bain and Yoendris Gonzalez combined to hurl four innings of no run / no hit ball, as the Cubs "Red Squad" blanked the Cubs "Blue Squad" 3-0 in AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Tuesday morning on Field # 6 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.  

Ballesteros and Triantos Lead the Way at Instructs

Moises Ballesteros singled twice, drove-in a run and scored another, James Triantos singled and scored and collected an RBI on a sacrifice fly, Cristian Olivo laced an RBI double and scored, and Ethan Hearn belted an RBI double, leading the Cubs "Red Squad" to a 4-2 victory over the Cubs "Blue Squad" in AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Saturday morning on Field # 5 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

Erbin Jaque singled, doubled, stole a base, amd scored a run for the "Blue Squad" in a losing cause.

The game was pre-planned as a five-inning affair. 

Cubs 2022 8th round draft pick RHP Mason McGwire (son of Mark McGwire) made his pro game debut and threw one inning (17 pitches - nine strikes), allowing one run (it was unearned), no hits, and one walk. He struck out two (one swinging and one looking) with his plus-splitter.

Hull and Kipp Dominate at Riverview

Haydn McGeary laced a single and an RBI double, both Nazier Mule and Anderson Suriel doubled and scored, and Nick Hull and Grant Kipp combined to hurl six innings of five-hit shutout ball with no walks and seven strikeouts, as the Cubs "Blue Squad" and the Cubs "Red Squad" played to a 2-2 tie in AZ Instructional League game action Friday morning on Field # 1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.   

The game was called after 6-1/2 innings of play.   

Carlos Sepulveda (on AAA Iowa 7-day IL) served as a DH for both squads and batted twice, going 1-2 with a single. 

Here is the box score from the game:

Cubs Blue Squad Edges Red Squad at Riverview

Miguel Pabon drilled an RBI double, walked, stole a base, and scored two runs, Anderson Suriel doubled, walked, drove-in two runs, and stole a base, and Rafael Morel doubled and singled and scored two runs, as the Cubs "Blue Squad" eged the Cubs "Red Squad" 6-5 in AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Tuesday moring on Field # 1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.   

Reggie Preciado belted a two-run HR, singled, stole two bases, and scored two runs, and Cristian Hernandez cracked an RBI double, singled, and score a run for the "Red Squad" in a losing cause.  

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

Jaque Fleet Feet on Display at Riverview

Erbin Jaque belted a two-run inside-the-park HR, Pedro Ramirez singled, doubled, and drew a walk, and Haydn McGeary singled twice and drove-in a run, as the Cubs "Blue Squad" blanked the Cubs "Red Squad" 4-0 in AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Monday afternoon on Field # 1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

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

Pedro Ramirez saw his first-ever pro game action in CF, as the Cubs are attempting to exploit his power / speed combo all over the diamond. He was mostly a SS in the DSL in 2021, but was moved to 2B in the ACL this season to accommodate Cubs top SS prospect Cristian Hernandez. Ramirez also played some 3B in the ACL.   

The Jaque inside-the-park HR was amazing. It was like watching "The Freeze" race a fan at an Atlanta Braves game. The hit itself was an oppo-field line-drive into the right-centerfield alley, and CF Ismael Mena got to it quickly. Parker Chavers was on 1st base and was running on the pitch, but Jaque caught up with him at 3rd base and they both scored standing up about a foot apart.

Jaque may be the fastest runner I have ever seen on a baseball diamond. He is really, really fast. That said, there may be some issues with his hit tool. Despite the blazing speed displayed with the inside-the-park job, he also struck out swinging against DSL Cubs Blue Pitching Coach Jose Zapata.

Cubs 2022 4th round pick Nazier Mule once again served as a DH, the second time he has done so in a Cubs AZIL intrasquad game. He singled, stole second, and scored a run in the top of the 5th. Although he has not yet appeared in an AZIL game as a pitcher, he has been throwing bullpen side sessions and metriculating in the Pitch Lab on Camp Days. He also has taken ground balls at SS in infield practice. By all appearances, the Cubs do intend to allow Mule to be a two-way player. He is a very unique five-tool SS / RHP.

McCullough, Birdsell, and Scalzo Dominate at Riverview

Cubd 2022 10th round draft pick Brody McCullough, Cubs 2022 5th round draft pick Brandon Birdsell, and Myrtle Beach closer Frankie Scalzo Jr combined to hurl five innings of no run / no hit ball with nine strikeouts, and Parker Chavers walked, stole a base, and drilled an RBI single to account for the lone run in the game, as the Cubs "Blue Squad" blanked the Cubs "Red Squad" 1-0 in AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Saturday morning on Field # 1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.  

The game was pre-planned as a five inning affair. 

Pitchers Shine at Riverview Park

Four pitchers combined to hurl ten innings of shutout ball with 17 strikeouts, as the Cubs "Blue Squad" and the Cubs "Red Squad" played to a scoreless tie in AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Thursday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.  

The game was pre-planned as a five inning affair. 

Here is the box score frrom the game: 

Reds Toss No-Hitter and Cristian's brother Goes Deep in Mesa

Marino Santy, Yoendris Gonzalez, and Eligio Paredes combined to hurl a no-hitter and Alexis Hernandez belted a solo HR over the LF fence and onto Field # 2 to account for game's lone run, as the Cubs "Red Squad" blanked the Cubs "Blue Squad" 1-0 in AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Wednesday morning on Field # 1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

The game was pre-planned as a six-inning affair. 

As things stand right now, the Cubs will be playing only intrasquad games at instructs. Of course the DSL guys are used to that, since DSL Cubs Blue plays DSL Cubs Red in the DSL and have for many years. The Cubs also had two AZL teams in 2018-19, where the AZL Cubs Blue would play the AZL Cubs Red as part of their schedule. 

Here is the box score from the game: 

Culling the Cubs 2-0-2-3

If they so desire, the Cubs could add as many as 13 minor league Rule 5 Draft-eligible players to the MLB 40-man roster post-2022 (or perhaps even one or two of them during the month of September).  

So strictly as a thought-experiment, here is what the Cubs MLB 40-man roster - COULD - look like on November 18th, when off-season reserve lists must be filed with the MLB Commissioner in preparation for the 2022 Rule 5 Draft. 

2022 Cubs MLB First-Year Player Draft Ticker Tracker

CUBS 2022 MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT PICKS 

DAY ONE (7/17)

1st ROUND (7) 
Cade Horton, RHP 
R/R, 6'1 211, Age 20 
U. of Oklahoma 
COLLEGE REDSHIRT FRESHMAN   
COMMENT: Considered to be the best college pitcher in the draft... was named to the Baseball America Freshman All-American team in 2022... attended Norman HS and then stayed home and enrolled at the University of Oklahoma as a two sport guy (baseball pitcher / third-baseman & football QB) after decomitting from Ole Miss, but eventually gave up football to concentrate on baseball... he didn't play baseball in 2020, he redshirted the 2021 season after undergoing TJS, and finally made his college game debut this past March... 5-2 with a 4.86 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 14 games (11 GS), with 15/64 BB/K, 55 hits (8 HR), and 7 HBP, in 53.2 IP, but went 3-0 with a 2.61 ERA and 6/49 BB/K in 31 innings in post-season tournament play (Big 12 tournament, NCAA regional and super-regional, and College World Series)... set a record by striking out 13 batters in the CWS championship game loss versus Ole Miss and was named to CWS All-Tournament team... best pitch is an upper 80's SL with a high spin-rate, but he also throws a 94-97 MPH FB, an 80 MPH CV, and an upper 80's CH...   
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $5,708,000

2nd ROUND (47) 
Jackson Ferris, LHP 
L/L, 6'4 195, Age 18
IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL  
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: Ole Miss 
COMMENT: Considered to be one of the top three HS LHP in the 2022 draft... transferred to IMG from Mt. Airy HS in North Carolina in 2020... features a 93-97 MPH FB, a high-spin mid-70's CV, and a deceptive CH... was better in his junior year at IMG in 2021 when he posted a 0.55 ERA with 13/82 BB/K over the course of 50.2 IP than he was in his senior year (2022) when he had some command issues stemming from a mechanical problem with his crossfire delivery... will enroll at 2022 CWS champion Ole Miss if he does not sign with the Cubs...   
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $1,660,400


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


DAY TWO
(7/18)

3rd ROUND
(86)
Christopher Paciolla, SS 
R/R, 6'2 185, Age 18 
Temecula Valley HS - Temecula, CA 
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: UCLA 
COMMENT: Hit 390/533/695 with 4 HR & 21 RBI with 16/14 BB/K in 29 games for Golden Bears in 2022... has above-average power... good fielder with average arm and below average speed... will likely move to 3B in pro ball... will enroll at UCLA if he does not sign with Cubs... 
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $735,200

4th ROUND (113)
Nazier Mule, RHP (ex-SS) 
R/R, 6'3 210, Age 17 
Passaic County Technical HS - Wayne, NJ 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Miami 
COMMENT: Last name is pronounced Moo-LAY... athletic two-way player (SS / RHP) with a shortstop arm compared to Shawon Dunston... hit .427 with 8 HR & 37 RBI, 9 doubles, 3 triples, and 14 walks for Bulldogs in 2022... raw power arm off the mound featuring a 92-96 MPH FB (was touching 100 with FB in his junior year) and inconstent slider... 3.23 ERA with 10 hits allowed and 6/29 BB/K in 13 IP for Bulldogs in 2022... played mostly 1B / DH in 2022 while nursing a sore arm... will pitch (only) in pro ball but will be a two-way player at "The U" if he does not sign with Cubs...  
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $538,400 

5th ROUND (143)
Brandon Birdsell, RHP
R/R, 6'2 240, Age 22  
Texas Tech 
COLLEGE REDSHIRT JR 
COMMENT: Friday starter for Red Raiders in 2022... features a 95-99 MPH FB, a mid-80's dive-bomb SL, and a so-so 86-87 MPH CH... has the stamina to be a starter but may be confined to the pen as a two-pitch power arm (FB / SL) in pro ball... went 9-2 with a 2.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, allowing 67 hits (7 HR) with 29/106 BB/K, 7 HBP, amd 10 WP in 15 games (15 GS) and 85 IP for Red Raiders in 2022... had a shoulder injury (rotator cuff) in 2021 but was healthy in 2022... was selected by Houston Astros in 39th round of 2019 draft but did not sign and enrolled at Texas A&M... was selected by Minnesota Twins in 11th round of 2021 draft but did not sign and returned to Tech... started college career at Texas A&M, then transferred to San Jacinto JC, before ending up in Lubbock...  
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $402,100

6th ROUND (173)
Will Frisch, RHP 
R/R, 6'0 222, Age 22  
Oregon State 
COLLEGE REDSHIRT SOPH 
COMMENT: Was a swingman for Beavers in 2021 and was supposed to move to starting rotation in 2022 before March TJS put him on the shelf... should be ready for Spring Training 2023... went 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, 48 hits (3 HR) allowed with 30/66 BB/K in 27 games (7 GS) and 53.2 IP 2020-21... features a 94-98 MPH FB with sinking action, a swing & miss CH, and an inconsistent SL... profiles as a sinker / change-up bullpen arm in pro ball... was selected by Minnesota Twins in 36th round of 2019 draft but did not sign and enrolled at OSU... was a two-way player (RHP / 3B) at Stillwater HS in Minnesota and was a member of National Honor Society... Stillwater won Minnesota Class 4-A state baseball championship when Frisch was a junior...  
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $303,700

7th ROUND (203)
Nick Hull, RHP
R/R, 6'2 205, Age 22 
Grand Canyon U.  
COLLEGE SR
COMMENT: Is attending graduate school at GCU... worked out of Antelopes bullpen 2018-21 and led WAC in lowest ERA (1.77) in 2021, then became GCU Friday starter in 2022. .. went 7-1 with a 3.72 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, allowing 90 hits (8 HR) and 28/102 BB/K, 4 HBP, and 10 WP, in 16 games (16 GS) and 90.2 IP for GCU in 2022... pitched for Bellingham in West Coast League (a collegiate wood bat league) in 2018, for Mankato in Northwoods League (another collegiate wood bat league) in 2019, and for Orleans in Cape Cod League (the top collegiate wood bat league) in 2021...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $237,300

8th ROUND (233)
Mason McGwire, RHP 
R/R, 6'4 190, Age 18 
Capistrano Valley HS - Mission Viejo, CA 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Oklahoma
COMMENT: Son of Mark McGwire... two-way player at CVHS (RF / RHP)... features a 89-92 MPH FB and a dive-bomb splitter... older brother Max is a first-baseman at the University of Oklahoma, and Mason will attend OU if he does not sign with Cubs...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $188,900

9th ROUND (263) 
Connor Noland, RHP 
R/R, 6'3 215, Age 22 
U. of Arkansas 
COLLEGE REDSHIRT JR 
COMMENT: Razorbacks Friday starter... went 8-6 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.23 WHIP, allowed 109 hits (7 HR) with 34/113 BB/K, 8 HBP, amd 2 WP, in 20 games (19 GS) and 116 IP in 2022.... features a reliable if unspectacular three-pitch mix with plus-command, including an 89-91 MPH FB, a mid-80's SL, and a CV... was an ESPN 4-star football recruit at Greenwood HS (top three college football prospect in Arkansas) and came to Fayetteville as a two-sport player (QB in football and RHP in baseball), but he quit football after freshman year in 2019 to concentrate on baseball...    
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $164,500

10th ROUND (293) 
Brody McCullough, RHP 
R/R, 6'4 205, Age 22 
Wingate University 
COLLEGE REDSHIRT JR 
COMMENT: D-2 2022 Southern Region Pitcher of the Year... Bulldogs' Friday starter, went 9-1 with a 2.40 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, allowing 48 hits and no HR with 24/100 BB/K in 12 games (11 GS) and 63.2 IP in 2022... is currently pitching for Hyannis in Cape Cod League, where he has put up a 2.70 ERA with 8/30 BB/K in 20 IP... is having an outstanding summer at the Cape, and was named T-Mobile Cape Cod League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending July 10th... features a low 90's FB, a mid-80's CH, a low-80's SL, and plus command... nickname is "Bird"... 
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $154,200


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


DAY THREE (7/19)

NOTE: A signing bonus in excess of $125,000 for any player selected in Rounds 11-20 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 (323)
Branden Noriega, LHP 
L/L, 6'2 180, Age 21 
Miami-Dade College  
JC REDSHIRT SOPH  
COMMENT: Pitched for West Virginia in the MLB Draft League (an MLB "partner league" formerly known as the NYP League) in 2022... recorded a 4.91 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, with 6 hits (1 HR) allowed and 10/14 BB/K in 10 games (11 IP) for Black Bears in 2022... attended Miami-Dade College prior to pitching in the MLBDL... spent HS years at Somerset Academy - Silver Palms in Homestead, FL... 

12th ROUND (353)
Mathew Peters, RHP
R/R, 6'4 215, Age 21 
Ivy Tech CC - Northeast (Ft Wayne) 
JC REDSHIRT SOPH  
COMMENT: FB clocked at 100+ MPH in March... previously pitched at Hillsborough CC in Plant City, FL, before coming home to Ft. Wayne... went 1-2 with an 8.03 ERA, allowing 31 hits and 18/30 BB/K over the course of 24.2 IP in 13 games (3 GS) for HCC in 2021...   

13th ROUND
(383)
Luis Rujano, RHP 
R/R, 6'5 205, Age 19 
Sunshine State Elite Academy - Kissimmee, FL
HIGH SCHOOL   
COLLEGE COMMIT: South Florida 
COMMENT: Rated by Perfect Game as the #11 HS player in Florida in 2022... features a 96 MPH FB and a CH... will enroll at U. of South Florida if he does not sign with Cubs... was born in Venezuela...

14th ROUND
(413)
Shane Marshall, RHP (ex-C) 
R/R, 6'4 210, Age 22  
U. of Georgia 
COLLEGE REDSHIRT JR 
COMMENT: A light-hitting back-up catcher with a plus arm who occasionally threw off the mound in blow-outs... will be converted to pitcher at pro level... hit 210/354/287 with five doubles, 1 HR & 19 RBI, and 21/73 BB/K in 95 games (201 PA) as a catcher over the course of four seasons at Georgia...     

15th ROUND (443)
Haydn McGeary, C-1B  
R/R, 6'5 235, Age 22 
Colorado Mesa University 
COLLEGE REDSHIRT JR 
COMMENT: A bat-first catcher who also plays 1B and corner OF, but is primarily a DH... was named ABCA National Player of the Year in both 2021 and 2022... hit 448/522/930 with 75 HR & 243 RBI, 65 doubles, and 81/88 BB/K in 722 PA (163 games) in three seasons at CMU... is presently hitting 403/482/622 with 4 HR & 28 RBI over the course of 30 games for Bluefield in the Appalachian League (collegiate wood bat summer league)... finished in the top 10 in the nation in HR in his senior year at Thunderbird HS in Glendale, AZ... will transfer to U. of Kentucky if he does not sign with Cubs... first name is spelled Haydn (like the composer)...   

16th ROUND (473)
JP Wheat, RHP 
R/R, 6'5 185, Age 19 
Next Level Academy - Wetumpka, AL 
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Georgia Tech 
COMMENT: 19-year old HS senior... ex-OF converted to pitcher in his junior year of HS ... features a 91-96 MPH FB, a 69-74 MPH CV, and a 79-83 MPH CH... will enroll at Georgia Tech if he does not sign with Cubs...  

17th ROUND (503)
Andy Garriola, OF 
R/R, 6'5 235, Age 22 
Old Dominion 
COLLEGE REDSHIRT JR 
COMMENT: 2022 second team NCBWA All-American... started all 58 games for the Monarchs and finished 9th in the nation in HR and seventh in the nation in RBI in NCAA D-1 in 2022... hit 324/377/617 with 49 HR & 214 RBI, 53 doubles, and 54/163 BB/K in 784 PA (170 games) over the course of three seasons at ODU... hit 256/319/488 for Cobuit in Cape Cod League (the top summer collegiate wood bat league) in 2021... was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year in 2019... 

18th ROUND
(533)
Garrett Brown, RHP 
L/R, 6'7 218, Age 22  
U. of Georgia
COLLEGE REDSHIRT JR 
COMMENT: Posted a 1-3 record with a 6.64 ERA and 1.83 WHIP, 48 hits (4 HR) allowed and 29/30 BB/K, 3 HBP, and 9 WP in 42 IP over the course of 16 games (14 GS) combined in 2020 and 2022... missed the 2021 season after undergoing TJS... was a football QB and also played basketball in addition to baseball at Manchester HS in Georgia... 

19th ROUND (563)
Brock Blatter, RHP 
R/R, 6'6 215, Age 18 
Billings Central Catholic HS - Billings, MT 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Alabama 
COMMENT: Pitched for State College in MLB Draft League in 2022 and displayed a 91-95 MPH FB, a mid-80's SL with a high spin-rate, and a CV... had command issues and posted a 0-1 record with a 3.97 ERA and 2.21 WHIP, allowing 11 hits (no HR) and 14/16 BB/K and 3 WP in 11.1 IP over the course of 5 games (5 GS started) for the Spikes... his HS did not have a baseball team so he had very little game experience prior to 2022... he did participate in a showcase in Arizona during Spring Training 2022 but did not pitch well there... he will enroll at the U. of Alabama if he does not sign with the Cubs, and since he signed the NLI with the Crimson Tide more than a year ago he may want significantly more than $125K to turn pro...     

20th ROUND (593)
Ke'Shun Collier, OF  
L/R, 5'8 160, Age 21 
Meridian CC  
JC SOPH 
COMMENT: "Old school" high-contact lead-off hitter with no power but plus-speed... hit 368/462/496 with 14 doubles and six triples, 37/32 BB/K, 37 SB (10 CS), and 81 runs scored in 80 games played over the course of two seasons at MCC (2021-22)... he was also a star football player (RB/CB/KR) in HS in Mendenhall, MS... he will transfer to the University of South Alabama if he does not sign with the Cubs...  

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.