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

TCR Friday Notes

- Everyone's favorite topic...lineups!!!

On days when switch hitter Aaron Miles plays second base and Kosuke Fukudome plays center field, Piniella said he likes this lineup: Soriano, Miles, Lee, Bradley, Ramirez, Fukudome, Geovany Soto and Ryan Theriot. That's a right-switch-right-switch-right-left-right-right alignment.

Armchair managers commence bitching! Between rumors of 400 AB's and now batting second,  Aaron Miles has all the makings of being the new ¡Neifi! It's like no one in the Cubs organization has noticed that his likely unrepeatable .343 BABIP last season accounted for nearly all of his .753 OPS "success".

- Alex Eisenberg runs one of my favorite prospect sites -  Baseball Intellect. He clearly didn't get the memo about Prospect List-mania 2009 coming out this week or he would have gotten to his top top Cubs prospects by now . Alex does do a great job of mixing minor league statistical analysis with good old-fashioned scouting, plus the frame-by-frame animations are fantastic. Check out how Jay Jackson's arm slot makes it tough to pick up his slider versus his fastball.


 

 

- An old Marquette classmate of mine has some ideas about the lot adjacent to Wrigley. Beats the Mrs. Field's Cookies and Victoria's Secret that will probably go into the mall they're going to end up building.

- Looks like some of the readers are starting up a keeper fantasy league and I think they could use a few more warm bodies.

- Kerry 20K Parachat Viewing Party this Sunday at 9PM CST. You can view it on  DVD, Itunes or at MLB.com.

 

Comments

If Kosuke rights himself, my dream lineup is Fuku Lee Soriano Bradley Ramirez Soto Fontenot Theriot I accept that Alf=leadoff though so given that, I'd like Soriano Fontenot Ramirez Bradley Lee Soto Fuku Theriot I think Lou will do this Soriano Fontenot Lee Bradley Ramirez Soto Fuku Theriot

[ ]

In reply to by Jumbo

I accept that Alf will be leadoff so my lineup looks like this: Alf Emanuel Lewis (he's scrappy) Wesley from Mr. Belvedere (also scrappy) Tina Yothers (she's really bulked up) Kim Fields (with Yothers, one of the most powerful 4-5s in baseball history) Richard "Boner" Stabone (decent bat but dumb as a shovel) Rerun (plus: arm as catcher and dancing skills. minus: speed on basepath) Todd bridges (attitude problems: think Darryl Strawberry meets Milton Bradley)

[ ]

In reply to by Mister Whipple

Are you kidding? Coleman is emotional person-with-the-doesn't-grow-up-disease equivalent of Milton Bradley. He's got the fiery temperament that Lou likes. Didn't he choke one of his fans? Or just punch? Bridges is Darryl Strawberry.

If everybody that I've invited as of 8:44 am EST signs up, we'll have 11, which means we need either 1 or 3 more.

Glad we are done with this... "Orioles outfielder Felix Pie was a no-show at the team's first full workout Thursday because he's having visa issues in the Dominican Republic."

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

I've flown from Chicago to NY many times. Usually its a snap because I time the traffic, etc...airport delays...all that. Last time, i almost missed my flight because an accident on 90. God I'm stupid...I should have known...after all..I've made that trip so many times. Please google the expression "shit happens"

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Did you forget to pack? Did you drive to the wrong airport because you forgot to print directions? Did you show up on the wrong day? Did you plan a trip to New York but then get to the airport and realize you forgot to buy a plane ticket? I think you need to google the expression yourself. If there was a fire in the US Embassy in Santo Domingo that destroyed the paperwork that needed to be filed, or something was lost in the mail, then I apologize, you are right, shit happens. But by far the most likely scenario is that Pie put this shit off until a week ago when he knows the process takes a while, and that he hasn't complied with all of the necessary requirements, see: http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/atc-080324.html Also are you Pie's dad or something? Relax man. I was only making a point that it always seemed like there was some drama with Pie and I am glad that it's now the Orioles' problem. That's all.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

Whatever....lol... Or perhaps he had taken care of it...thought everything was correct, and it turns out something is different this year..lol...he is 23 yeah? I hope Pie goes out and hits .280/.350/.440,...and just sticks it up the Cubs ass for the next 10 seasons

[ ]

In reply to by Wes

Not adding parameters at all... it is assumed that Pie will play great defense and steal some bases, right? So if he hits the numbers mentioned, combined with great defense and plus base running, that will be pretty damn good.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

I don't think Wes was focused as much on equating Pie to Todd Walker as he was pointing out, in a humorous fashion, the hyperbole in calling that line "sticking it up the Cubs asses". I think sticking it up the Cubs asses would have to involve turning in a great OBP, slugging, or stealing a bunch of bases. But I for one would definitely regret the Pie trade if he manages that .350 OBP and a .400+ slugging percentage. I'd be furious over the trade if he managed a .500-ish slugging percentage and a .370+ OBP, though. Hence the difference between sticking it up the Cubs asses and not doing so.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Considering that the Cubs gave their "#1 prospect" 260 at bats over 2 seasons to prove himself, and that they are perenially looking for a CF, and are trotting out Reed Johnson, who I like, but is not a long term answere in CF..along with Kosuke Fukudome, and I believe that is Japanese for Might Have been Great in Japan.. Then yes, that would be sticking it up the Cubs asses...

As awesome as it would be to have Soto and Theriot batting 7-8, I think it's a big waste of Soto's run producing abilities to bat Fukudome in front of him. If he hits anywhere near what he did the last half of the season, Soto is going to have to work super hard to drive anybody in. And I like the theory of limiting consecutive right handers in the order. I just hope it doesn't get to the poitn where we are playing an unproductive order simply to force managers to go to the pen more often late in the game. Sori Fonte/Miles Lee Bradley Ramirez Soto Fuku/Johnson Theriot is what I would prefer. Theriot fits well in the 8 spot I think because of the high OBP. Assuming our pitchers can execute their bunts, it provides a lot of oppurtunity to roll to the top with a runner in scoring position.

[ ]

In reply to by kmokeefe

I like your lineup. IMO... With Theriot's amazing ability to dump base hits in front of the right fielder, or shoot them between the first & second baseman, I always thought he'd be perfect as a #2 hitter. I imagine a patient leadoff hitter who gets on first base often and is moved over to third by Theriot. Of course, we have Soriano leading off... *sigh* While I understand mixing up the lefties and righties, any of you that objects to this configuration should check out Theriot's lefty-righty splits. He's good against both, he's patient and consistent. And fwiw, this would be my lineup: Soriano *sigh* Theriot Ramirez Bradley Lee Fuku/Johnson Soto Fonte/Miles I know batting Lee 5th would probably be wildly unpopular, but the thing is we're still all pretending like '05 Derrek Lee is Derrek Lee every year... and that is not the case. He's a real good hitter, don't get me wrong, but '05 was a career year and I'm willing to admit that now.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

The notion of hitting Lee 5th is certainly not unpopular with me. I have been squawking about the need to move his DP-hitting ass out of the 3-slot for almost a year now. I do think, though, that you have Soto too far down in the lineup. He should be 6th, with the Fuku/Johnson platoon 7th...

[ ]

In reply to by kmokeefe

If Fukudome hits like he did in the second half of 2008, he's not going to be in the lineup, so your point is moot. If he gets himself straightened out, he's probably the best OBP guy on the team.

Freaking Aaron Miles. I submitted a request to Muskat's "Inbox" last week asking her to please stop indicating that Miles might get more playing time than Fontenot, because it was causing me mental distress. She has not responded. =(

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

I'm fine with Miles as a utility player, but not with the prospect of him getting 400 ABs. It also upsets me that if Fontenot, Theriot, or Aramis goes down with a serious injury, we don't have anyone to step in front of Miles and take the starting job for a while. Miles is definitely an off the bench guy, not an in the starting lineup guy. Bako on the other hand, I just don't understand. Poor Koyie.

i would like soriano fontenot/miles ramirez bradley lee fuku/johnson soto theriot with a right handed pitcher this would give you a right-left-right-left-right-left-right-right

Soriano Lee Bradley Ramirez Soto Fukudome Theriot Miles/Font

Does anyone know how to bring up multiple waiting room windows on IE? I know there is a trick, but I can't remember it.

Ok..If I'm managing: Fontenot Lee Ramirez Bradley Soriano Soto Fukudome Theriot or Theriot Lee Bradley Ramirez Soriano Soto Fontenot Johnson I do not bat Soriano leadoff..period.

meh! If any of these three (Soriano, Bradley, Ramirez) wind up on the DL we are looking at de ja vu: The 2006 Cubs. Now THERE was a nicely balanced LRLRLR team. How'd that work out for us?* * Even though our third baseman drove in 119 runs, hit 38 HRs and posted a .913 OPS and we had a whole crew of scrappy L-R balanced guys at second and short and our starting catcher batted .307 .885 with 16 HR, our CF racked up 204 hits, our left fielder put up an .809 OPS and our right fielder hit 27 HRs with an OPS of .833, the 2006 Cubs managed to rank 28th out of 30 MLB teams in runs scored.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

I'm gonna have to disagree. It would take injuries to some primary position players, probably one or two of the three you noted, as well as a series of injuries to starting pitchers. I think that Harden, and one or two of Big Z, Lilly, and Dempster would have to be serious hurt. For example, let's take Soriano, Harden and Dempster out of the picture for the whole season. You'd still be able to do this: SS Theriot 2B Fontenot 1B Lee RF Bradley 3B Ramirez LF Hoffpauir C Soto CF Fukudome/Johnson with a rotation of Zambrano Lilly Heilman Marshall Samardzija And a slightly weakened bullpen, possibly with guys like Ascanio and Hart stepping into the spots vacated by Heilman and possibly Samardzija. That's not a 90 win team, but it could contend with the NL Central, depending on how guys like Samardzija and Heilman perform. More question marks, sure. Complete loss of the season? Not necessarily. I think injuries Aramis, Soto, and Zambrano would be the toughest to withstand--they might necessitate trades for full-time players.

got all my tickets by 10:30am - sweet. Cubs my budget to you was cut 60% this year because of your october.

My lineup would be Theriot Lee Bradley ARam Soto Sori Fukudome Font/Miles I believe that Sori shouldn't bat leadoff, and Lee has to move up to two. If Fuk can prove that he's gotten it together this could change a bit, but Sori and Lee have to move in the order.

My lineup would be: Rickey Henderson Adam Dunn Larry Parish Bob Hamelin Ernie Riles Jody Reed Jody Davis Shawon Dunston The rewards, like the positions, are obvious.

Really? Lee batting 2nd? Really? Yeah, that'll happen.

Bleh... first year I haven't bought tix on ticket day. For one thing it really pisses me off how it takes hours to get in and by the time I do, the good games are gone. Yet, if I wanted, I could pay double (sometimes more) at premium tickets.com and go to any game I want. It's absurd. I'll watch the Cubs at Cincy or maybe I'll make the trip to Detroit in June. The city is shit, but Comerica is a real nice ball park. *annoyed*

Ryno, I as well am making 09 the first year in a long time that I'm not buying tickets. I'll see the team in Milwaukee, and a couple of the guys for the ASG, but that's it. Prices are far too high...and then there is the whole waiting room crap. *For anyone who is a tech guru, couldn't cubs.com have a multitude of waiting rooms for each game to better streamline the process? Doesn't make much sense in waiting for a late April game behind 20,000 people that want Cubs/Sox tickets.

[ ]

In reply to by SJS

My beef with the system is doesnt really let you shop for games as I dont want a seat in the upper deck or bleachers (I can get a better view on my HDTV than w/ those seats). I got in at about 10:30 and saw their was tickets for the Sox game avalable in the Outfield box seats. After putting in my ticket request I get there is only 1 ticket in row avalible, so I try to go back to another game and it wont let me. 3.5 hours and 2 other waiting room windows opened half-way throught the wait and I still have not gotten back in. You think they would give you the option of putting in a preferred game or section once you get out of the waiting room then picking games at random and then get kicked out if you cant get the seats you want.

Before this thread dies and we all move completely on to AZ Phil's coverage of live BP (thank God for some sort of baseball), I'd just like to say something as a matter of ritual. These lineups stink.

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.