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

"A" Team Throws "Live" BP at Fitch

Twelve Cubs pitchers (essentially the "B" team -- Mitch Atkins, Casey Coleman, Thomas Diamond, Jeff Kennard, Marcos Mateo, J. R. Mathes, Mike Parisi, Blake Parker, David Patton, Vince Perkins, James Russell, and Jeff Stevens) threw their first "live" BP session (25 pitches) at Fitch Park yesterday (six on Field #2 and six on Field #3), and 14 more pitchers (essentially the "A" team) threw their first "live" BP today.

FIELD #2: Carlos Zambrano and Carlos Silva threw to Darwin Barney, Sam Fuld, Blake Lalli, Bobby Scales, and Brad Snyder, Carlos Marmol and Tom Gorzelanny threw to Marlon Byrd, Brett Jackson, Derrek Lee, and Xavier Nady, and Esmailin Caridad and John Gaub threw to Andres Blanco, Micah Hoffpauir, Kevin Millar, and Chad Tracy.

FIELD #3: Ryan Dempster and Randy Wells threw to James Adduci, Steve Clevenger, Tyler Colvin, and Bryan Lahair, John Grabow and Sean Marshall threw to Starlin Castro, Kosuke Fukudome, and Alfonso Soriano (this is Aramis Ramirez's group, but he did not hit today), and Justin Berg and Rafael Dolis threw to Koyie Hill, Jeff Baker, Ryan Theriot, and Josh Vitters. Chris Robinson was the catcher on Field #2 and Welington Castillo was the catcher on Field #3, while Geovany Soto and Robinson Chirinos warmed-up pitchers in the bullpen.

Andrew Cashner and Jeff Samardzija threw "live" BP in an early morning session prior to the full-squad workout.

All of the pitchers who threw today looked good, except Rafael Dolis. The 22-year old fireballer was obviously over-throwing and was especially wild, most notably his final pitch, a high/tight fastball that came up under Theriot's chin, causing The Riot to take a nasty spill that resulted in an injured hand that required treatment by the training staff.

Jeff Gray (groin strain), Angel Guzman (knee surgery rehab), and Ted Lilly (shoulder and knee surgery rehab) are not yet able to throw BP, although Gray has been cleared to start throwing off a mound and Guzman is particpating in PFP and pick-off drills while throwing off flat ground only.

Prior to the "live" BP sessions, the pitchers broke-up into two groups for PFP and pick-off drills on Field #1 and Field #4, while infielders took fielding practice on Field #2 ("B" squad" with Lahair at 1B, Barney and Scales at 2B, Castro and Camp at SS, and Vitters at 3B) and Field #3 ("A" squad with Lee and Hoffpauir at 1B, Baker and Blanco at 2B, Theriot and Fontenot at SS, and Ramirez and Tracy at 3B) and the outfielders (Adduci, Byrd, Colvin, Fukudome, Fuld, Jackson, Millar, Nady, and Soriano) practiced running down fly balls and playing balls off the "Green Monster" (batter's eye) in dead CF.

After the "live" BP sessions, most of the squad reported to Field #3 for agility drills, while the catchers who did not have the opportunity to take "live" BP earlier took their usual end-of-workout BP (with coaches throwing) on Field #2.

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

The article is in response to a deadspin article, he's making fun of bloggers, hence the title. As others have said, he's pretty good. Better than anyone Chicago has going for it at the moment.

Hey, great to have AzPhil posts again. I'm wondering if you could answer a question that's been bugging me forever. I noticed that you had Jordan Latham listed on the Cubs depth chart again. BA also had the Cubs reactivating him, and Bruce Miles indicated that he was at XST all last year (which I assumed, as I figured that's how you knew to put him on the charts). What exactly happened to him, though? I remember there was some spec on personal issues, but I don't recall a definitive answer ever given. Been bugging me for awhile. Thanks.

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

Submitted by toonsterwu on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 3:16pm. Hey, great to have AzPhil posts again. I'm wondering if you could answer a question that's been bugging me forever. I noticed that you had Jordan Latham listed on the Cubs depth chart again. BA also had the Cubs reactivating him, and Bruce Miles indicated that he was at XST all last year (which I assumed, as I figured that's how you knew to put him on the charts). What exactly happened to him, though? I remember there was some spec on personal issues, but I don't recall a definitive answer ever given. Been bugging me for awhile. Thanks. ===================================== TOONSTER: RHP Jordan Latham is a power-reliever (94 MPH fastball & a hard slider) who was the Cubs 29th round draft pick out of the College of Southern Idaho in 2006. He received a substantial bonus when he was signed as a JC "draft & follow" in May 2007 (he otherwise would have transferred to Arizona State). Without getting into really specific detail, Latham was involved in an off-season DUI/Hit & Run in his hometown (Boise) a while back where he crashed his SUV into a house and then ran away. I don't know what the outcome of that matter was, but he was on the Restricted List in 2009. He is now active again, however, and I would think he has a reasonable chance to make the Daytona or Tennessee Opening Day roster with a good Minor League Camp and no further personal issues. Arms like his don't grow on trees. Likewise, RHP Julio "Animal" Castillo (who was convicted for assaulting a fan with a baseball during a brawl in 2008) spent the entire 2009 season on the Inactive List at Fitch Park while dealing with his legal troubles (he threw "sim games" about once a week throughout the season), and if he can get an H-2B visa, he should have a shot at making the 2010 Daytona Cubs Opening Day roster or possibly even the Tennessee Smokies staff. (Castillo throws 95 MPH). Like Latham, Castillo will certainly be on a "short leash" no matter where he is in 2010. If Animal can't get a work visa to get into the U. S. because of his standing felony conviction, he could possibly remain a member of the Cubs organization and spend the 2010 season pitching in the Mexican League for Los Broncos de Reynosa (he's too old and has too much minor league experience to pitch in the DSL). The Cubs have had an informal working agreement with Reynosa (the former Los Potros de Tijuana franchise) for several seasons and usually loan one player to the Broncos (previously Potros) each season. (RHP Oswaldo Martinez was there last year). BTW, while MLB recognizes the Mexican League as an "unaffiliated" AAA league, scouts have told me that it really is more equivalent to A+ (like Daytona, but with older players).

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/356/guzman-dealt-another… Angel Guzman doin' the Ted Lilly thang...got his knee scoped so he could rest his shoulder. per Bruce Levine...
"He had some discomfort in his shouldfer," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "We just felt coming off of the [arthroscopic meniscus surgery] he's had on and off difficulties in the past, so we thought that we were just going to take the precautionary route." Guzman said he expected to be ready to go on the field in a week to 10 days. "I still think I will be back in a week or week and a half," Guzman said. "My knee is the main thing. I don't think the shoulder is anything I have to worry about."

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Gregerson's a no-brainer. Frasor would cause me a bit more trepidation due to his only one year of club control, but this team obivously has to play to "win now." I guess I think it's possible Colvin still develops. He did put up a 858 OPS in 320+ PAs as a 23-y-o in AA. There's enough potential there that you don't just give him away for a one-year bullpen rental who may not even work out.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I'd like to hold on to Colvin for one more year. I realize that there's risk there, in that he may totally wash out any value, but I think there's still a chance for a .775 OPS hitter who can play CF and not embarrass himself.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I would not be opposed to moving Colvin. He is roadblocked for the time being.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Colvin doesn't have the plate discipline to be an MLBer. If he was a SS with a gold glove it would be one thing. As a corner OFer it will be too much of a liability. Best case for Tyler is an MLB 4th outfielder IMHO. Frasor or Gregerson should be able to net us that at the deadline/August waiver deadline if we aren't in the race. Worth the gamble if Colvin is all we part with.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

the +3 K/BB ratio is probably more of a concern with Colvin, Byrd was in the 2:1 range mostly. and Byrd was generally considered one of the better prospects in the game coming up. But maybe Jamarillo can fix Colvin too :) fwiw, Colvin in AA: 17.2% K/PA, 3.56 K/BB ratio career: 18.25% K/PA, 3.24 K/BB ratio he actually had better ratios in 2008 at AA but worse overall numbers Byrd in AA at 23: 15.97% K/PA, 1.79 K/BB ratio career minors: 17.18% K/PA, 2.07 K/BB ratio better slugging by Byrd too, although did get a little boost from some rehab games or whatever the last few years.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Let's see, you asked for a handful of studies and I asked for one link, and you got your panties in a wad? Interesting. To explain it to you in maybe a manner that you can understand, walking is an offensive skill like power hitting and base stealing. If someone has a 1:1 BB/K ratio that doesn't make him any more likely to be a successful major league hitter than someone with a 1:3 BB/K ratio. If the first guy hits two doubles on the year and the second guy hits 40 HR's, guess which one is more likely to become a major league hitter? Picking out BB's to compare to K's makes approximately the same sense as SB/K's. If a guy doesn't strike out an inordinately high number of times, he's likely to be able to hit in the majors. Now, whether that hitting will be valuable enough to make him an effective player depends on other skills, his walk rate and his HR rate being the most important of them. To give some divergent examples. Player 1: 5.26 BB/K ratio when he made the majors Player 2: .50 BB/K ratio when he made the majors Both of them had long major league careers (including playing for the Cubs). But player A played a premium defensive position, hit for more power and was able to steal bases and wound up in a couple of All-Star Games. Player B mostly walked and put the ball in play.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

think you're confused on who has their panties in a wad and I asked for a link to just one study, not a handful. No reason to make up stuff or distort what I wrote. As for the rest, I already wrote I agree that it's not as important as K rate, but anything over 3:1 is going to have me worried. Not saying they can't overcome it with other skills, but it's a big warning sign. Picking out BB's to compare to K's makes approximately the same sense as SB/K's. so you say, both(BB and K's) are indicators of a players' ability to control the strike zone imo you don't use it, great, I'm sure your batting 1.000 on how prospects will fare in the majors, just as I am.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Let me quote you "a handful of links". You were the one too lazy to search for it. Quit being a child. "so you say, both(BB and K's) are indicators of a players' ability to control the strike zone imo". No, I never said that. In fact, I've been explaining to you for two years that K rate and BB rate are relatively independent. You're either willfully ignorant or too stupid to understand it, but I'll wash my hands of it. Have an "expert" explain it to you.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I'm not being too lazy, you brought it up, I'm not buying your word. You prove it. And I said one study or a handful of links to people who say it's irrelevant, you tried to put those phrases together. the "so you say" was in response to Picking out BB's to compare to K's makes approximately the same sense as SB/K's. the rest of the sentence was my own opinion on the relation of BB/K's. I realize you don't believe they have anything to do with each other. You're either willfully ignorant or too stupid to understand it speaking of being a child...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

This exchange pretty much sums up why I stopped arguing with Neal a long time ago. He first tells you that you are completely wrong. Not that there is something else you could incorporate, or that you could look at things differently, or that he has a different opinion - you are utterly, and completely wrong. In addition, how could you have even thought you were right when EVERYONE knows this stance is wrong? It is a widely established fact. When you ask for proof of this, even one link or a cite to one study, he says that it is soooo widely accepted that he doesn't need to give you anything. In fact, the burden of proof is on YOU to show support for your original point. When you question this as being a bit odd - which of course it is! - he resorts to name calling and tries to make it appear to everyone else that you are either too stupid to understand the point, too lazy to prove it, or are being purposefully combative with him when you know you are wrong. This takes a few days and a half-dozen or more posts, when it all could have been avoided had he simply said in the very first post: "here's a link to an interesting article that shows that stat X may not be as good of a measure as Y." Ah, but that would be way too easy, wouldn't it?

If Mike Fontenot shows he still sucks at shortstop,what are the odds that he is left off roster,obviously being left handed will help him but there is not many bench players that can only play one position besides catchers.

ArizonaPhil - Can you tell us what a typical minor leaguer makes over the course of a season? Assuming no special contractual arrangements, Does everyone in all levels of the minors make the same amount, or does it vary as they rise through the system? Also, if they play in the fall instructional league, do they get extra? How about the Arizona Fall league. Finally, do you have any idea how much they may make in the various winter leagues?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

How can you blame him? He is not the best SS in the league, but he is certainly not the worst. Right now he is feeling like he has to win his job again. He is probably fielding questions from idiots like Phil Rogers on a daily basis.

[ ]

In reply to by thedirtbag

Right now he is feeling like he has to win his job again.
Good. He should feel like that every day for the rest of his baseball career.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

feels like Tracy and Millar are probably fighting for the same job as Millar's working out at third base as well as first and he said earlier he'd try the outfield. That being said, they could easily have 6 bench spots to start the season as they don't need a 5th starter for a few weeks.

Whoa. The Rangers just voided Khalil Greene's contract. He hasn't reported to ST. Wish we could do that with Silva.... Too much of him reported for ST.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

The higher the dose, the more pronounced these side effects typically are. But some people feel sleepy, foggy, and uncoordinated even on low doses of benzodiazepines, which can cause problems with work, school, or everyday activities such as driving. Some even feel a medication hangover the next day. Because benzodiazepines are metabolized slowly, the medication can build up in the body when used over longer periods of time. The result is oversedation. People who are oversedated may look like they’re drunk.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_medication_drugs_treatment.htm Not really good for a professional athlete. I don't think Grienke is on medication. There's obviously varying degrees of problem.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

not the most reliable source http://socialanxietydisorder.about.com/od/celebritieswithsad/p/zackgrei… does say he went on anti-depressant medication, no idea if he's still on it. You can still function quite well on them from what I've witnessed, although it takes some getting use to and definitely getting can put you in a fog. but as you said, probably not best to be on them when staring at 90mph+ heaters and anti-depressants and anxiety are different things...although some people use them interchangably, so not sure if Greinke and Greene are dealing with the same issues.

Dealing with an anxiety dis-order or whatever. He isn't even remotely ready to play baseball and the Rangers can't/don't want to wait a year to find out if he can ride their bench.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • 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...