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

We Have a Winner

In a close vote to decide the Official1 TCR Nickname for our Middle Infielders, we can now announce that with 100% of the 66 votes counted, the winner is....

The Scrap Pack

The Scrap Pack beat The Tiger Cubs2 for the honor, and congratulations to all the other worthy suggestions as well.

Among the many virtues of The Scrap Pack are:

  • It rhymes
    • ok, fine, it doesn't.  Me flunk 2nd grad Inglish.
      • Ok, it has "internal rhyme."  I never got that far in English.
  • It's short
  • It has assonance
  • It has a sharp, staccato sort of meter to it
  • It alludes to a bunch of iconic womanizing singing drunkards with ties to the Las Vegas Mafia from the 1960s, who later went on to star in all-time classic movies like The Cannonball Run II.  
  • It is expandable: if necessary it could incorporate Reed Johnson, Aaron Miles and others.
  • Its origin is shrouded in TCR mystery and lore.  CT_Steve mentioned that he recalled seering someone use the nickname in Parachat, but we don't know who.

And most importantly....

  • If they wind up stinking up the field, we can always claim that the "S" is silent.
1 "Official" in the sense that part of my contract to begin writing for Ruz, years ago, included several legal prerogatives, including but not limited to the right to print Letters of Marque and to be keeper of The Official Seal of TCR.  I'm inferring from those prerogatives that I also have the right to declare things "official."

2 Yes, I just made an animal abuse pun.  I'm sorry.

 

Comments

Scrap Pack For all its many virtues, I don't think it rhymes.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Heh.  I presently am designing final exams for college kids, and I don't remember what it means to rhyme.  What do the kids say these days?  Oh yeah, FAIL.

 Thanks for the catch there, I've updated the post.

[ ]

In reply to by Transmission

I am still trying to figure out how Love & Rockets rhymed 'you' with 'you-ooh-ooh'. Each person seems to have a different threshold for what 'rhymes' . The average rapper, for instance, wouldn't have any problem with rhyming those two words.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Yeah, I'm calling it a "rhyme," again. When me, Real Neal and "the average rapper" all agree, you know it must be correct.

 

And that's four consecutive comments by me relating to what counts as a rhyme.  I'll stop, now.  But god, I'd love to see a flame-war break out over poetry....  Come on, guys...

[ ]

In reply to by Transmission

Trans, you ignorant slut, stand by your call! If it sounds like a rhyme to you, it's a rhyme! At the very least that is a slant rhyme; both words have the same short "A" sound on a stressed syllable and end with hard, aspirated consonants. Grow some balls. And, fuck man, how did you miss the opportunity to note the consonance in "sCrap paCK"? Combine the consonance with the repeated short "A" sound and the fact that "Scrap Pack" contains only two syllables, both with heavy stresses—a spondee (sorry, didn't mean to patronize you all)—and you've got a very punchy nickname. Too bad you don't have any punch, Trans, or none of this would be necessary—you would've just verbally bitch slapped Navigator.

[ ]

In reply to by Transmission

Oh, I wouldn't say it rhymes. I was playing a drinking game Saturday, where you had to 'bust a rhyme' - rhyme a word with one that someone else had said or drink. I was bothered when someone rhymed 'time' with 'line'. I am probably wrong, but it feels to me like just another symptom of the dumbing down of America and the English language.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

It depends on your purposes, I think. For the purposes of modern English language poetry, full rhyme has limited use, since English is a rhyme poor language and the tradition of rhyming is really borrowed from Italian and other, older poetic traditions that, while they have their own merits, have a different word bank and syntactic system to work with than do English poets. For the purposes of a drinking game, I wouldn't consider participants' definition of rhyme the primary symptom of the dumbing down of America.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I can't decide which is more embarrassing: that you were playing a drinking game in which you had to rhyme words, or that you were playing a drinking game.

[ ]

In reply to by O.Julius

Yeah it was an afternoon of 'man, being a frat daddy was cool, let's try that again'. However, drinking games can be fun. Canned drinking games make me feel like I am borrowing someone else's life.

In a prosodic, poetic, and very real, sense it does rhyme - internally rather than at the end is all.

I like it. But then, what is the penalty if someone were to use, say, The Oui Men instead of The Scrap Pack?

[ ]

In reply to by Transmission

I think I'll go with Pepper Spray and Theriot. Pseudo-rhyming is cool and all that, but anytime you can work four puns into one nickname, that gets my vote. Do I have to pay for the season tickets?

Y'all'll be sorry when I'm a thousandaire from selling t-shirts of Font and Riot-lookalike tiger cubs saying "grr" in a text bubble to drunk white girls in Lakeview. The way I figure, I'll make enough money to either go to a game at Wrigley or buy a house near the Cell. Congrats to Scrap Packers.

i'm calling the nickname and the players "The Crap Pack" yeah, i went there.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

i don't know as i already stated that i refuse to drink it. But since you went to maine east and then marquette, i would assume it takes like MGD mixed with Drakkar Noir. With a slight hint of sausage.

This is exactly why Democracy is a failure. Never let people vote for things. Scrap Pack is pretty stupid. Its not really even funny. It doesnt even pass the "hey, thats not a dumb cliche" test. I think that the writers here could have come up with something better and come to a consensus over a couple of beers and a Vienna Beef dog at Murphy's. Sigh. At least there is parachat.

It was me who came up with that, for the record. Any criticism of my hilarious creation will refuted with insults of your sexual preference. Proceed with caution.

Levine says that Lee's neck and back issues a bigger culprit in his decline, along with his refusal to sit. Although most people point to the broken wrist Lee suffered in 2006 as the reason he doesn't hit with as much power, the real reasons are his back and neck woes from a home-plate collision after the wrist injury. http://espn.go.com/chicago/columns/blog?post=4105498&name=levine

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Interesting in that pitch selection has nothing to do with Lee's problems with grounding to short. Also, Levine is happy to take another needless shot at Bradley. So far, Bradley is winning the 'media is out to get me' debate.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Well partially it does, but those pitches that he now hits weakly to second for double plays used to be doubles in the right-center power alley. He can't quite extend with power to the outer part of the plate like he used to. I see your argument, though. If you can't do hit that pitch anymore, quit fucking swinging at it.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Personally, AZ PHIL has mentioned that HOFF is "Gold Glove Caliber" at 1st B, and hits for power - something DLEE is just not doing well right now. It would not be so bad if The Hoff gets a few more starts at 1B.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I just don't feel, that in his 60's, Lou will put a career minor leaguer (even though performing well) in a platoon situation with a former MVP and All Star.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

hoff's lack of K'ing is getting increasingly interesting as far as what kind of player he can be. sure, he's not exactly picking his pitches even though he's got some walks...he's hacking...he's just not missing as much. that said...yeah, it's probably dlee's job to lose and it's probably not going to happen in early May unless he goes on a hell of a down-turn.

"Unfortunately for Lee there's no remedy for a bulging disc and upper-neck and back pain. The only thing Lee can do is ask out of the lineup and wait for it to subside, which he refuses to do. [ ] That type of philosophy has hurt Lee as he's not the offensive player he was prior to the injury." [ ] "And although I don't know the extent of the injury to Bradley (strained right groin), he should probably pay attention to Lee's work ethic." I am confused. Is he saying Bradley should play even through his doing so would make him a poorer player, or does he think that Bradley should stay on the bench until he is fully healed?

When do we learn the DFA/Vizcaino aftermath? Will we get anything back for this move? (besides an empty roster spot?)

[ ]

In reply to by Romero

10 days from last Thursday, so I think by this coming Saturday they have to make a decision.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Thanks, Rob. Have any guesses about what comes back? (just for fun)

Has Wittenmyer "tweeted" the line-up for the game tonight?

Geez - why not Soto 8th? Or, a start for Hill. He is in an outrageous slump.

"Scrap Pack" is the Jose Vizcaino of nicknames. Serviceable but bland. "Scrappy Deux" (without the extra "-ot" mind you) is easily superior, working on more levels with surprising effect--the Doug Dascenzo of nicknames. Wither "Tiger Cubs," the clear champion of the three, full of promise but potentially diminishing with increased exposure, no doubt the Gary Scott of nicknames.

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.