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

Devin Hester's already in Pete Carroll's head

I read that Pete Carroll thinks the best way to contain Devin Hester is to, well, to go ahead and kick to him and just, you know, do a better job on coverage.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

It's like the Bears have this license to cheat with Hester. They start the game right off showing that extra ace - they don't even have to hide it in their sleeve.

And you know that ever since Seattle beat New Orleans, Hester has been gnawing away at Pete Carroll's brain.
So... just thought I'd give that gnawing a gname - the Hester Fester.

By the grace of the Football Gods, 2 tickets fell into my hands yesterday.
I emailed Carlson immediately, but he's already hosting a Bear's party.
Then I got ahold of Morgan.
The last time we went to a Bears playoff game?

That would be January 12th, 1986.
Bears 24, Rams nothin'.
Singletary and snow, and no place to go for Eric Dickerson.

Couple weeks later, they won The Bowl.

My eyes just rolled back into my own head.

Comments

Oh man, I am SO hoping for a Bears-Packers NFC Championship game at Soldier Field, the week before will be absolute nuts. The kids use the word "epic" a bit too much anymore, but this game.....this would qualify. Just get it done against Seattle, please.

Singletary had the benefit of a great d-line and two amazing stud athletes playing at outside linebacker. If Singletary hadn't had bulging eyes that TV camera men and directors fell in love with, he wouldn't be in the Hall of Fame. Hell of a head coach though, I will give him that. I always think of that game as Wilbur Marshall in the snow.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

No he wasn't great. He had less career interceptions than Ron Rivera. He had less than Richard Dent! He was known for his crazy eyes and busting helmets at Baylor. Along with Joe Namath one of the most overrated players of all time. And I was being sarcastic about his coaching. Hell of a gay rights activist though.

[ ]

In reply to by Newport

Singletary amassed an incredible number of tackles because Hampton, Dent and the speed of the outside linebackers funneled the running games of other teams right at Singletary. And they would rather take their chances with him than the others. When Hampton and Dent were diminished and then gone, Singletary was exposed. And seven interceptions for a middle linebacker with the career longevity that Singletary had is absurdly poor. Doug Buffone, no HOFer, had more than three times as many. Singletary had hands of steel and was just the better than average hub of a great defense. That Singletary is in the Hall and Dent is not is a sham. Singletary was really good. Sort of the Ken Boyer of football. Although that may be overrating him a bit. He should not be in the HOF.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Having seen Mike Singletary in person many times, and of course on TV, I am wondering if you who say he was "overated" are just looking at stats (and tackles stats are not easily - if at all - available during his time) and did not actually see the talented player during his heyday. The Pro Bowl selections at the time were via player vote - not fan. He was a to be reckoned with. I'd agree (shockingly) with NEAL above with respect to him making things easier for Dent, and other members of the front four - and that I recall Singletary having 15-22 tackle games regularly during a five-year period. He was a force in the middle, and teams schemed around him. That is ultimate respect. The Bears were fortunate to have three fantastic HOF players at MLB - Butkus, Singletary, and Urlacher.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

All-Pro Teams Year Team Level Voters 1983 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly 1983 1st Team All-Conf. UPI 1983 1st Team All-NFL Newspaper Ent. Assoc. 1983 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Weekly 1984 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly 1984 1st Team All-Conf. UPI 1984 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press 1984 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers 1984 1st Team All-NFL Newspaper Ent. Assoc. 1984 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Weekly 1984 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News 1985 1st Team All-Conf. UPI 1985 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press 1985 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers 1985 1st Team All-NFL Newspaper Ent. Assoc. 1985 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News 1986 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly 1986 1st Team All-Conf. UPI 1986 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press 1986 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers 1986 1st Team All-NFL Newspaper Ent. Assoc. 1986 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Weekly 1986 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News 1987 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly 1987 1st Team All-Conf. UPI 1987 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press 1987 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers 1987 2nd Team All-NFL Newspaper Ent. Assoc. 1987 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Weekly 1987 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News 1988 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly 1988 1st Team All-Conf. UPI 1988 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press 1988 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers 1988 1st Team All-NFL Newspaper Ent. Assoc. 1988 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Weekly 1988 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News 1989 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly 1989 1st Team All-Conf. UPI 1989 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press 1989 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers 1989 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Weekly 1989 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News 1990 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly 1990 1st Team All-Conf. UPI 1990 2nd Team All-NFL Associated Press 1991 1st Team All-Conf. UPI 1991 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press 1991 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News

I just need to go on record as saying that I've never felt this was a very good football team. I know there was an article by David Haugh today saying it would be a classic disappointment if the Bears lose. But I still have no confidence in this O-line at all, and, despite my pro-Cutler arguments in another thread, I do always fear that Bad Jay could show up on any given day. I hope I'm wrong. These guys just don't get me all giddy and make me think "Can't wait for that Green Bay game!"

Bear down Chicago bears so they can get their asses kicked next week. :)

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I think that is a potential, however, with the game in Chicago, and the last two games very competitive (the Bears having nothing to play for leaving many plays on the table) I do not think it will be a blowout unless the Bears get more than 10 pts behind. The D will come to play. Of that you can be sure. ================================================ Let me rephrase. IF we get "The Good Jay" against the Packers, ROB G, Green Bay ain't gonna be kicking no Bear Asses. A "good Jay" and a sound defensive strategy (if its possible), and it is gonna be a great game possibly decided by 3.

All I can say is -- it's sure good to be wrong sometimes. The O-line actually looked really good today. Cutler had all day on most plays, and Forte had some seams. If Martz hadn't made that perplexing call with Forte where he tossed that interception late in the game, the game would have been even more of a blow out than it was. A trick play with a big lead late in the game?

Richard Dent needs to finally make the hall of fame. Singletary was a by product of all the really good players around him,no one mentions Ming Mcmichael he made alot of players jobs easier, not to mention he did own bears record for most games played which was broken this year by ________

Burgess's third gaudiest number might be his home runs, 72, compared to, say, Josh Vitters' 33. They were drafted the same year. His second gaudiest number is his strikeouts, 473 compared to Vitters' 192. But Burgess's gaudiest number is his outfield assists, 53, including 26 at Hagerstown (low A) in 2008! BA named him the best outfield arm in the Carolina League (high A) in 2010.

I've never really been enamored with Gorzo's pure stuff. Probably at the peak of his value to a team, as a player right now. I actually like the trade if its Burgess and a couple of decent arms coming back. A rare "Sell High" from Jimbo!

For AZ Phil-- Lots of good comments on the Daily Herald blog regarding the Cubs' view of some key minor leaguers, as revealed at the Cubs convention. Here is the link: http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/5080 I'm wondering whether you can add anything regarding three prospects in particular: Vitters (he is not sounding like he has the mental toughness to be a big leaguer); Carpenter (he can throw 99? Really?); and Jay Jackson (sounds like they want to convert him to a reliever).

[ ]

In reply to by Jim Hickmans Bat

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 10:07pm. For AZ Phil-- I'm wondering whether you can add anything regarding three prospects in particular: Vitters (he is not sounding like he has the mental toughness to be a big leaguer); Carpenter (he can throw 99? Really?); and Jay Jackson (sounds like they want to convert him to a reliever). ============================================================ JIM H: I've mentioned Vitters' "California Dude" laid-back attitude and lackadaisical approach to baseball (especially defense) as being an issue. He showed more intensity in the AFL last October-November than I had seen in the past, and hopefully he will continue to work hard and develop a bit more fire in his belly in 2011 as he begins to realize that he is nearing his Big Chance. Chris Carpenter touched 100 MPH several times in the AFL. He's the type who throws with significantly greater velocity when he knows he is going to pitch just one inning and doesn't have to pace himself or establish his secondary stuff. I think the Cubs will use Carpenter as a stater at Iowa in 2011 to get him more innings of experience and force him to use his secondary stuff, but his future at the big league level (at least if he remains a Cub) is probably as an 8th inning set-up guy. Jay Jackson is one of the best hitting pitchers in minor league baseball, and you take that part of his game away if he is used out of the pen. He could probably even play CF if he fails as a pitcher. To me, J. Jackson is a top prospect only if he is used as a statting pitcher (so he can hit). That doesn't mean the Cubs would not use him in relief if they have a need there, but he really projects more as a starting pitcher. If the Cubs don't have room for him in their rotation, they should think seriously about using him in a trade.

are 3.5 pt home underdogs...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Well, yes. Better point differential. But in two games against each other it is a total of 4 points. It is going to come down to which lines are going to control the L.O.S., and which D will fuck up the other's QB. IF all things become equal due to weather, performance, etc., then I believe Hester is gonna be the difference maker in a game of this magnitude. He is such a big game player it is insane. It is going to be really interesting to see what Marinelli comes up with to slow down Rodgers.

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.