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39 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (one slot is open), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL and one player has been DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT (DFA)   

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, three players are on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-23-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Hector Neris 
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 9 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 3
Kyle Hendricks, P 
* Drew Smyly, P 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P

DFA: 1 
Garrett Cooper, 1B 
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

DJ Spins the Biggest Hit

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Up from Minor League Camp (Fitch Park) to provide some back-up insurance on the bench, D. J. Lemahieu slugged a pinch-hit two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to give a Cubs split squad a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Cactus League action at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park in warm & sunny Mesa, AZ, this afternoon.

box score (Mesa)

The Cubs 2nd round pick in 2009 out of College World Series Champion LSU, Lemahieu comes into the 2011 season looking like a body-builder, having added about 25 pounds (mostly muscle) to his 6'4 frame at the Cubs off-season strength & conditioning program at Fitch Park (AKA "Camp Colvin"). He is regarded by most scouts and other observers as the Cubs best hitting prospect, but he has been doing it with an arm-locked opposite-field line-drive stroke that did not produce home runs. He worked extensively with Cubs minor league hitting coach Barbaro Garbey at AZ Instructs post-2009 on learning how to elevate his swing a bit and "turn on the ball," but he was mostly unable to replicate the training at Daytona in 2010, hitting 314/346/386 but with only two HR in 600 PA. (Somehow he managed 73 RBI, though).   

Lemahieu has played 2B-SS-3B in his short pro career (2010 was his first full season), and while he looks most-comfortable at SS, he has also almost-certainly outgrown the position. Scouts projected him long-term as a 2B or (even more-likely) a 3B in pro ball, but questioned if he could develop the HR power expected of a third-baseman. Granted today is just one game (and a Spring Training game to boot), but the HR Lemahieu hit today was probably not something you would have seen last year or anytime previous in his career. 

Ryan Dempster got the start for the Cubs today, and pitched very well, going four innings (46 pitches - 31 strikes, 4/4 GO/FO), allowing just one run on three hits and no walks. Manager Mike Quade has already named Dempster as the Cubs Opening Day starting pitcher, and he is obviously the most-advanced of the Cubs starters so far. He probably could easily have pitched a fifth inning today. Dempster's only bump in the road was an Aaron Miles lead-off triple to CF in the 3rd, with Miles eventually scoring on a ground out.

The Cubs got on the board first in the bottom of the 1st inning against Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley, as lead-off man Kosuke Fukudome reached second base on a double-error by SS Justin Sellers, and then scored on an RBI double by Marlon Byrd  (Sellers was acquired by the Cubs from OAK in the Michael Wuertz deal, only to be dealt to the Dodgers at the end of Minor League Camp in 2009 before ever having a chance to play in a regular season game in the Cubs system).  

The Cubs took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 4th, as Byrd doubled again (his 4th double in two days), and scored on a Jeff Baker two-out line-drive RBI single that knocked Billingsley out of the game.

Carlos Marmol threw a shutout 5th (striking out the side), but the Dodgers tied it up in the 6th against Thomas Diamond, as Gabe Kapler ripped a lead-off double, and scored one out later on a Dioner Navarro SF.

The Cubs came back to take the lead again in the bottom of the 7th, as Steve Clevenger raked an opposite-field PH double over the left-fielder's head, and scored a moment later on a Fukudome line-drive RBI single to right-center.  

But then the Dodgers tied it up (again) in the 8th against Jeff Stevens, as the right-hander labored through his one inning of work, allowing a walk, a single, and a Marcus Thames game-tying RBI double along the way.

Marcos Mateo pitched a 1-2-3 9th and Esmailin Caridad threw a 1-2-3 10th (and both looked very good), setting things up for some home team heroics. 

Lou Montanez worked a lead-off walk in the 10th, and then (with the Dodgers expecting a bunt) Lemahieu put an exclamation point on the day's festivities, turning a Luis Vasquez offering into crowd-pleasing walk-off dinger.  

Meanwhile, the other squad of Cubs was getting royally blanked in Goodyear by a Reds split squad, losing 10-0 on a combined two-hit shutout. 

box score (Goodyear)

I wasn't at this game, but from the box score it's fairly obvious that Casey Coleman had a poor outing (allowing three runs on four hits in 2.0 IP), and top pitching prospect Trey McNutt--making his Cactus League debut--allowed three walks, a double, and a home run (and a WP), getting only two outs (both strikeouts) before being relieved. 

Starting pitcher Todd Wellemeyer didn't pitch much better than Coleman, but he only allowed one run in his two innings, apparently thanks in part to a CS. 

The Cubs play only one game tomorrow, facing the Angels in Mesa.

Tags
Cubs Spring Training Recap

Comments

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 03:58 pm

Submitted by George Altman on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 4:53pm. Phil, along that same line do you see the Cubs (1) picking up ARam's option for 2012; (2) Vitters ready for 3B in 2012; or (3) Lemahieu (with HR power developing) a more realistic in-house option for 3B? ================================================= GEORGE A: You're asking a good question, but I have no idea what the Cubs will do. I guess if Aramis Ramirez reverts to pre-2010 form and stays healthy, I would think the Cubs will probably pick up his option for 2012, unless they need the $16M in 2012 salary to help pay for Albert Pujols. But if Ramirez does not revert to pre-2010 form, I don't think he'll be back even if the Cubs don't need to divert $16M to Pujols. If Aramis Ramirez does not return in 2012, the Cubs could just muddle along like they did for about 30 years after Ron Santo was traded, but as far as in-house options are concerned, I would say Lemahieu will be played at both 2B and 3B at AA in 2011, and then will play wherever he is needed once he reaches MLB (2B, 3B, 1B, maybe super-sub 1B-2B-3B-LF-RF). Defensively he's a similar player to Jeff Baker, and also like Baker, Lemahieu murders LHP but sometimes will struggle vs RHP. The big issue with Lemahieu is HR power, whether he can sustain a power stroke in addition to being the best young hitter in the organization. Josh Vitters might remain at 3B, or he could move to 1B. He has the actions of a third-baseman and is capable of making all the plays there, it's just that he sometimes gets lazy, especially with his throws. But whether he plays 3B or 1B, he must hit (and hit HR) to get to the big leagues. Marquez Smith is probably more of a stop-gap until Lemahieu or Vitters emerges at 3B, but then Casey McGehee did not project as an everyday 3B until he grabbed the job in Milwaukee and wouldn't let it go, so...

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 03:45 pm

Submitted by The Real Neal on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 9:56am. Phil, what have you seen out of Lemahieu in BP? ========================== REAL NEAL: D. J. Lemahieu is a lot of fun to watch in BP because he has plus-bat speed and tries to rifle everything up the middle, the way players are taught to take BP. No question Lemahieu is the Cubs best pure hitting prospect. With his new found strength & power, though, I expect Lemahieu to explore "turning on the ball" when he gets an inside pitch he can handle, just as Ryne Sandberg did when he was taught a pull-power stroke by Jim Frey in 1984. In fact, Ryne Sandberg might be an apt comparison to make with Lemahieu, not in terms of speed or defense, but just as far as Lemahieu being the same type of hitter Sandberg was early in his career, with the possibility that he might be able to develop some HR power later (like maybe starting this season).

Submitted by The Real Neal on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 03:00 pm

Playoff Odds from BP: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/odds/ Cardinals still the favorites - though I sort of like the Reds. Other than Votto and Arroyo, it's hard to find guys on their team that aren't likely to repeat what they did last year.

Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 03:22 pm

callis on twitter sez: See him as more useful bench piece than regular. Can hit the fastball. @carl9730: Have you formed much of an opinion on Marquez Smith? #Cubs Pena 1/14 with 5 K's so far...keep getting your reps in Colvin.

Submitted by navigator on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 03:23 pm

And Welington Castillo throws a perfect strike to nail the runner on a hit and run. Goodbye KHill.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 03:29 pm

angels are running like hell this spring...they're looking like they're gonna make speed a huge part of 2011 unless they're just checking out how fast their guys are. 17sb 2cs for the team this spring...well, 3cs now.

Submitted by navigator on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 03:32 pm

In 2010, the story around Cubs camp seemed to be that early season slumps by Ramirez and Derrek Lee were tied into neither veteran working with Jaramillo. "I always worked with Rudy," Ramirez said. "I don't know who came up with the idea that I didn't. But my work is different from some of the other guys who work with Rudy as well. Guys like Marlon and Soriano hit every day in the cage. I hit maybe 3-4 times a week in the cage in early spring training. "I just go there to fine tune things. But Rudy is there for me all the time. We work on a lot of things, but he's not the type to change you. He helps you stay within your own swing." http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/3390/cubs-responding-to-…

Submitted by navigator on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 03:20 pm

M. Ramirez clears the bases, Cubs lead 13-12 in the eighth and the Cubs should have more, they ran themselves out of a couple runs BUT.... Jeff "Not Ready for Primetime" Samardzija summarily gives up a home run in the ninth to blow the save.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    welp...

    bellinger...fractured rib.

    that's all.

  • crunch (view)

    i have no hard data, but i'm seeing the same thing.

    there used to be some parks where that was rampant (colorado during the todd helton days comes to mind), but i'm seeing it all over the place the past couple seasons.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I’ll spare the details which I’ve stated before but, in short, the Cardinals have lost their sight of their successful identity and strategy over last several dominant decades. From the beginning of the season I saw the Cardinals being in last place or near it again this year, and my prediction is that Mozeliak will be gone after the end of the season.

  • Bill (view)

    I would have kept Cooper rather than Wisdom, but at least I can understand why they did it.  In a team that lacks dominant power hitters, Wisdom can be a dominant power hitter, at least in streaks.  I suppose that there is always the possibility that the streaks longer in both duration and frequency.  I will be content if they essentially make a 100 % DH commitment to Mervis against righties and Wisdom against lefties.  When a regular needs rest, give them total rest, rather than a DH rest.  Do this for at least 2 months, and then re-evaluate at that point.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    This is Cubs adjacent but…


    Jordan Walker just was optioned by the deadbirds. For all the talk of the Cardinals development machine, they’ve really missed on a lot of can’t miss superstars lately. Walker has struggled. Gorman has been okay. They’re already trying to push Carlson out the door. Their pitching system has been so bad they had to go out and sign basically a full rotation over the last two offseasons.

    They’ve still developed a few of those pesky solid players, like Donovan, Edman, and Nootbaar. Their two best prospect to MLB players have been Adolis and Arozarena, neither of which is a cardinal.

    I hope they never figure it out again. Cardinal failure brings me such joy.
     

  • Raisin101 (view)

    Thank you so much! I really appreciate not only all your posts but how eager you are to respond to our questions.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Is it just me or does it seem that official scorers are becoming less likely to call a misplay an error? 

     

    Guess I've hit my cranky old-man phase in life.  "I remember back in the day when an error was an error.  Official scorers have gone soft.  Now where did I put my readers?!!??"

     

    Sidenote, maybe Bellinger should be a little more careful against the Astros.  That was the series last year that a play at wall put him on the IL.   

  • crunch (view)

    i hated the almonte pickup, but he's 9-10 out of 12 for good outings, following a great spring.  hope he can keep it up.

    i already miss cooper, but yeah...the thin OF roster backup the team seems to want to carry probably got wisdom preference over cooper.  i could live without seeing wisdom at 3rd unless it's a blowout, though.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Things I've been wrong about:

    -Tauchman is fine as a 4th OF. I knew that. I just want a better LH DH option and he was really the DH for us until Seiya got hurt. I'm glad Mervis is getting a chance at it. Caissie is coming for that job for sure. But Tauchman continues to be highly useful as a 4th OF with Seiya being hurt

    -I wanted Yency to go to get guys at Iowa a chance. Guys like Palencia and Sanders or RileyT. Maybe even Hodge! But Yency has been better the last two plus weeks. He did hit 96 the other day. He was 93 in Texas to open the season.

    -Leiter has his split working enough. It just needs to stay there

    -I was surprised Jed picked Wisdom over Cooper. I wonder if this happens if Seiya wasn't hurt. Wisdom has more power. Cooper is the better hitter. Jed picked Wisdom and Wisdom had an option left as well.

    -Palencia just doesn't miss enough bats. Similar to ManRod, just two yrs younger. ManRod is killing AAA for TB right now!

    Things I got right so far:

    -Hendricks. Sorry Kyle. You got paid though!

    Jed, you missed there.

    -Smyly. If Jed could've traded him before or during ST, then he should have and saved some cash.

    -Mastro.  Not a LH DH. Pinch runner. Defensive utility. Maybe he's better than Madrigal but didn't get a legit chance to prove it.

    -Luke Little is good. He's had one bad outing. That's it. Needs to get better entering with guys on base. But he needs to stay in MLB.

    -Oh yeah....Morel is doing fine at 3B! He'll get better as well!!

  • crunch (view)

    bellinger "right rib contusion"

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