Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



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

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).