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

The Rubber Game

Ted Lilly's first start of the season and him and the TLFC are all amped up to try and take the first series of the year.

"It's the biggest game of the year," Lilly said.
 
Wow. Ted's Intensity (aka Tedtensity) just made us punch through the TLFCHQ Italian Granite counter tops... and our hand doesn't even hurt. Damn right it's the biggest game of the year, Ted continues,


"Because it's the first one," Lilly said. "They're all important. Every one I'm starting is the most important, and that's the mentality you have to have."
 
Here's the lineup courtesy of Wittenmyer's twitter feed: Soriano, Fukudome, Lee, Bradley, Ramirez, Fontenot, Theriot, Hill, Lilly

Some minor site news after the jump...

I'm going to be M.I.A. from the website for the next week and a half or so, it's just time to stop neglecting the rest of the world and take a little time to see my niece for the first time and watch her get baptized, as well as visit my sick, but resilient father and generally try and catch up on far too many things I have been neglecting. The rest of the TCR crew should pick up the slack for the most part, but if posting and updates are a little sparse during that time frame, I hope everyone understands. And do try to keep the comments at something resembling a civil discussion.

Also, you may want to check your entry for the TCR '09 Contest. If there are any mistakes, drop it in the comments and I'll change it. See everyone on the other side....

 

Comments

TED LILLY'S INTENSITIES IN TEN CITIES!!!!!! (sound:electric guitar) All kidding aside Rob, good luck and God bless. Don't eat too much cheese.

Rob is lying. He's just covering for himself while he begins posting at BCB. RUBBERS!

Sweet God we're excited, just threw back a case of Bud Extra and we still are shaking. TLFCSC predicts a pretty solid one for Ted - 6 2/3 IP 7 k 1 BB 2 ER 1-2 BB, 1B, 1 HBP (Hunter Pence) - but we wouldn't be surprised if TL sends one ya ya for his first of 15 HR this season. Rob, appreciate the props. Enjoy your time off. TLFCSC has hacked your login so we'll post in your name as long as you like. Who knew your password was "KellyClarksonRulez."

You and your father are in my thoughts, RobG. And say hi to your niece!

Man, I like these kind of games. Everyone getting hits and no pressure as it is a sleeper. Nice!! GO Cubs!!!

All the best to your family, Rob. Re Ted Lilly - he has been throwing batting practice for hr's since the WBC. I hope he and Rothschilds work this shit out. Wrigley will be even tougher.

Best to RobG and thanks for all your work on the site. P.S. enough with the Astro homers already

Ex Cub watch: Ronny Cedeno playing LF for the Mariners.

Question on David Patton: I haven't seen him pitch, but according to Gameday (which isn't always right), he sports a mid-90s fastball. Last couple are just south of 95. What is the scouting report on Patton? With that kind of gas, no wonder we were interested in keeping him.

CUBS WIN!! CUBS WIN!! 11-6! Our Cubbies took the road series vs. Houston 2 games to 1. Can't ask for more than that. THE GOOD: Offense. Many guys had big nights: Fukudome, Theriot, Fontenot, Ramirez, Soriano. They jumped on HOU early and all but put the game away after the 2nd inning. THE BAD: Bradley. Yes, he is only 0-9, but this situation could turn into Jacque Jones v.2 very quickly. Hopefully Bradley can get a hit over the next series so he doesn't go hitless heading back to Wrigley. THE UGLY: Lilly. Being spotted an 8 run lead wasn't enough to put this game in cruise control as Lilly was continuing his gopher ball spree. Lilly is still not in good form, hopefully he can find in over the next couple starts. Off day tomorrow and then to MIL. Let's take that series and then head back to Chicago for the hone opener. Go Cubs!

[ ]

In reply to by mannytrillo

Um, yeah, Bradley doesn't have a hit yet in 3 whole games, guess that makes him another Jock Jones. He also has what, 5 walks? I think the 400-ish OBP is just fine, thanks. You wanna worry about someone's bat, worry about Lee.

VOTE NOW! Who will have more home runs this year? a) D Lee b) Fontenot

[ ]

In reply to by Bigz

I'll guess Fontenot, with 200 fewer PAs. Given equal PAs, Fonty in a landslide. In 1-on-1 basketball in a game to 11 playing 1's and 2's, I'd say 11-2 DLee, with 5 blocks and 3 dunks. Fontenot would hit a lucky 2-pointer.

I didn't watch the game, but I have to admit that I laughed out loud when I saw Fukudome's line. Maybe trashing Fukudome before every game will be this year's "this lineup sucks".

Can Guzman really hit 101 mph or was Houston's gun way off? It seemed pretty accurate the rest of the game, but Guzman had one that reached 101, and a couple others at 97. I didn't realize he had that in him.

[ ]

In reply to by Doug Dascenzo

At one time, the scouts were saying Gooz had better stuff than ANY pitcher that had come through the Cubs system in a decade and wasn't named Mark Prior. Man, if he's ready to stay healthy and fulfill even some of that potential, the Cubs are going to have a ridiculous bullpen. Shoot, I'll settle for Gooz turning into what Juan Cruz became, that would be plenty fine with me.

[ ]

In reply to by Jim Hickmans Bat

Speaking of Juan Cruz, no one has been able to answer this for me, why didn't the Cubs give him an offer after knowing that he wouldn't cost them a 1st round pick (or whatever MLB regulated his FA status to be)?

MANNY: as a reasonable man, don't you think it's a little early to bail ok Bradley? Did you see his ab when he was down 0-2 and milked a bb? Jock jones rarely did that.

[ ]

In reply to by Thisistheyear

I can see where Manny's coming from but it's a different situation with the team playing well, Bradley does get on base and as long as he does not get doubled off second on fly balls THREE TIMES in one week it would be a pretty cold hearted bastard to boo Bradley. Or a dumbass.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I am just saying it COULD turn into a JJ situation. I think he is better than JJ, but there are bigger expectations though. I just hope he doesn't get off to a slow start, like JJ, and the fans start getting on him, like JJ, and he gets surely, like JJ. If he comes to Wrigley 0-18 or something, even if he has a few BB's I don't think it will be pretty.

[ ]

In reply to by mannytrillo

Well, can't you say that about everything? He "COULD" turn into a JJ situation (you hypothesize), but I believe you also said last year that, " ____ (name the player) is only a leg injury from being completely useless..." Or - maybe that was for Cliff Floyd, the year before...Am I wrong here? But he "COULD" also perform to his career averages, too. It is just way too early to make statements like this, IMO.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

No, I didn't say any of that stuff about a leg injury last year. I think that was Crunch. And I don't think it is too early to talk about it as it happened early to JJ. And he COULD perform to his career averages, but he hasn't thus far and I am saying that if he does go hitless in the first 6 games I hope it doesn't turn into a JJ situation. Not to hard to understand i don't think.

[ ]

In reply to by mannytrillo

1- that's pierre i was talking about...or pretty much any speed/singles guy. 2- comparing JJ to bradley is f'n retarded for 100 reasons be it in the field or (especially) at the plate unless you're talking about how he might be boo'd for not producing some hits before the first home game

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I'm pretty sure that's what Manny was referring to. There are a few key differences here though: 1) Jacque was a disappointing signing before he even played a game. I think Cubs fans were kind of pissed Hendry didn't go get an impact player, and they were already primed to boo him before he ever stepped to the plate. 2) Related to point 1, MB will be on a longer leash because he has a track record of success and was seen as a big FA signing. 3) Jacque seemed like he didn't give a shit out there. No one will ever say that about MB. Also, Jacque was booed as much for his boneheaded baserunning and awful outfield throws as his shitty bat. 4) I think most fans will seriously be scared to boo him because of his past. Not even drunk frat guys are dumb enough to make a star player turn on his fanbase this early. If Cardinals fans were smart (they're not, they're morans), they would infiltrate the right field bleachers at Wrigley wearing Cubs gear and just mercilessly hurl racial epithets at Bradley all season.

[ ]

In reply to by Doug Dascenzo

at least cards fans can (at least as of now) visit wrigley bleachers without having crap dumped on them or surrounded by idiots screaming at them. the yanks OF fans barely get a chance to watch the game in between all the drunk-frat-boy-reject "looking for conflict" exercises and call-and-response with player names. there's some scaaaaaaarey stuff on youtube with them busy screwing with people who paid to see a game rather than watching the game. ...there's also some funny stuff.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • 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.