Cubs MLB Roster

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40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Opening Day Deux

Submitted by Mike Wellman on

logoThe season hasn’t even started and the door is already revolving.

The weather today in Des Moines is passable but the Iowa Cubs are opening the 2011 season on the road at Round Rock, TX. Thomas Diamond is supposed to oppose Express southpaw Michael Kirkman, the #6 prospect in the Ranger system who takes the mound tonight with these creds: 2010 PCL Pitcher of the Year [13-3 with a 3.09 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 131 innings for Oklahoma City]. He also won two PCL Pitcher of the Week awards and led the PCL with an .813 winning percentage. Kirkman made his Major League debut on Aug. 24, 2010, against the Baltimore Orioles, striking out the first three hitters he faced and was named the 2010 Nolan Ryan Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

The home opener falls on tax day a week from tomorrow against the Memphis Redbirds, the team that nosed out the I-Cubs for a playoff spot in a Labor Day series last year that was about as compelling as minor league action gets.

There have been some changes in the PCL since then. The Portland Beavers have become the Tucson Padres. Two years from now they’re slated to move on again to Escondido, 30 miles from their parent club in San Diego. Triple A towns are building parks to woo teams too. Both Padre teams are owned by Jeff Moorad who got Escondido’s agreement to build a $50 million stadium before he bought the Beavers.

The Royals still have their traditional affiliation with Omaha, but the team will now be called the Storm Chasers and move from the historic Rosenblatt Stadium, home of the College World Series, to Werner Park, a brand new playground on the outskirts of town. I may road trip over there on May Day to check out the new digs and the top tier of the highly rated Royal farm system since Omaha doesn’t come to Des Moines until June.

Out of the chute some key parts of the I-Cubs will be rehabbing in warm weather, notably Welington Castillo and Jay Jackson. That’s a battery I was looking forward to. Sounds like Jackson, Brad Snyder and Castillo may all join the team in time for the home opener.  As it is there are no highly touted prospects on the fast track and no HOF’ers paying managerial dues in bush league dugouts. There’s not much buzz period as the season gets underway so we’ll see what develops. From what AZP says it sounds like Bobby [much more baseballish than Robert] Coello has the potential to make sparks fly with both arm and mouth and Max Ramirez reminds me in advance of Jake Fox a little bit; a hitter in search of a position. A couple of Aprils ago while he was here Fox hit like Joe Hardy from Damn Yankees. Pepe LaHair should help us Iowinians get over Micah Hoffpauir . Which Smokies might I get a look at before the summer’s over? Castro and Colvin skipped Des Moines on their way up and Cashner was here just long enough for one memorable outing last spring.  

Let's get the door spinning!

 

Tags
Iowa Cubs update

Comments

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:37 pm

Marquez Smith was fun to watch swing the bat in spring training. When he hit the ball, he clobbered it, and a couple of the visiting announcers were commenting on his bat speed. You have something we don't have, a couple of guys, Campana and Perez, who like to steal bases. I hope you're pleasantly surprised by Campana. You're right, a lot of older players, competent but uninteresting. Maybe they'll compete well. The other three opening-day starters on the farm tonight are Rusin (Tenn), Whitenack (Day) and, of course, Simpson (Peo).

Submitted by jacos on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:17 pm

Fuld batting leadoff for rays vs sox today Bb stole 2nd & 3rd /hi aj !

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Submitted by Paul Noce on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:10 pm

I watch the Sox games sometimes when I'm bored and can't find any other baseball to appease me, but I have to turn the sound off. I can't tolerate Harrelson and Stone, or Ed Farmer on the radio.

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Submitted by Ryno on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:18 pm

I'm actually pro-Steve Stone, but Harrelson saps any morsel of professionalism out of the TV booth. Ed Farmer is just annoying. The broadcasting crew make the Sox very easy to hate. I'm just following the game on Yahoo.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:34 pm

Based on his career numbers, however, we shouldn’t expect Garza to post a similar line any time soon. This is one of those starts where you just sit back and marvel at the absurdity of the final line. You’re not going to see this one very often.
Don't go too far out on that ledge there pal. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/matt-garzas-crazy-start/ anyway, went to BR's play index and searched for games where pitcher gave up 10 or more hits, had 10 or more K's and had 1 or less walks Came up with 109, slightly over 1 per season average. I don't have the service so I only get the partial results, but happened 3 times lastyear, twice in 2009, and 14 times between '97 and '07. Pedro, R. Johnson, Schilling, K. Brown are some of the names they do show.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:10 pm

it showed the first 10 dates from 2011 going backwards (Garza's is obviously first), but no names or stats, then 10 names from 2003 to 1997 and then says 109 total results. I don't feel like paying for it. The 10 dates if you wish... 4/3/11, 8/15/10, 6/30/10, 5/11/10, 6/15/09, 8/14/07, 6/4/05, 9/19/03 followed by the next 10 where it gave a name... Pedro (8/6/03), Kelvim Escobar (6/13/03), C. Schilling (5/18/02), Schilling (4/25/01), R. Johnson (8/9/00), P. Astacio (8/15/00), Jimmy Haynes (8/18/98), K. Brown (7/15/98), R. Johnson (6/30/98), C. Schilling (6/22/98), M. Gardner (7/27/97) Schilling got pasted in two of those outings as well as did Jimmy Haynes (5.2 IP, 4 ER, 11 H, 10 K, 1 BB). The rest produced 4.5 or below ERA's for the games. maybe that link will work for folks http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/game_finder.cgi?type=p#aja…

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:18 pm

if you add XBH's at one or less to the criteria, only 18 games are returned, the last before Garza's happening on 8/9/2000 which is the Randy Johnson game mentioned above. If you go 0 XBH's and 0 BB's (I had 1 or less)...you get 3 games returned. Garza's, one on 6/25/83 and on 9/5/81

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Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:20 pm

I was making a joke. I wonder if you just take out Schilling and Johnson what the stats look like. I think it was the right approach for Garza to take - with the wind whipping out to left and facing only two hitters capable of 20 HR's, both hitting LH , throw a shit load of strikes - unfortunately it didn't work out. I wonder if Garza is one of those pitchers who exhibits little to no control on his batted pitch outcomes.

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Submitted by crunch on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:31 pm

it was just a rare day. he gave up a bunch of singles and it didn't punish his pitch count or his ERA that badly. he got his work in enough to rack up the Ks without pushing too many runners across the plate or sending his pitch count into the 100+ area too early. it was quite the "spring training, getting work in" type outing...only it counted.

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:39 pm

fergie ever do that? seems like a line he could have produced...

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:24 pm

see above, but I didn't pay for their service, so I can't tell you ever occurrence, just the total number. As mentioned, criteria I used were H>9, K>9, BB < 2, and then modified with adding XBH < 2 and then BB=0 and XBH=0

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:49 pm

once witnessed ray burris 'scatter' i think 12 hits in a cg shutout...

Submitted by Sonicwind75 on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:53 pm

About to head out to Round Rock to see I-Cub opener. Will be going tonight, Saturday and Sunday. Any recommendations on who/what to watch?

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:06 pm

iowa: Lineup: Campana CF | Perez RF | Montanez LF | LaHair 1B | Ramirez C | Scales 2B | Smith 3B | Wright DH | Camp SS | Diamond P daytona: DCubs Lineup@Bre 1.Watkins 2B 2.Cerda 3B 3.Ha CF 4.Bour 1B 5.Castillo DH 6.Burgess LF 7.Brenly C 8.Perez RF 9.Lake SS RHP Whitenack peoria:1. Matt Szczur CF. 2. Rubi Silva RF, 3. Greg Rohan 3B, 4 . Richard Jones 1B, 5. DJ Fitzgerald DH, 6. Micah Gibbs C, 7. Anthony Giansanti LF, 8. Arismendy Alcantara SS 9. Pierre LePage 2B, RHP Hayden Simpson

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:32 pm

Jackson immediately walks out of the leadoff spot, but is erased on a GIDP by Flaherty, Vitters singles in his first AB and ends up scoring a run. Jackson singles in a run his next AB, as does Flaherty, but LeMahieu GIDP with bases loaded. 4-0 Smokies in 2nd.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:25 pm

Jackson walks again in his 3rd AB, Rusin throwing a gem through 3, then gives up 2 in the 4th. M. Burgess HR for Daytona Szczur tried to stretch a triple in his first ab, but got thrown out. T. Diamond K's Chris Davis in the first,but a double by Chad Tracy leads to a run. Max Ramirez already with a passed ball. H. Simpson 3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 K so far..sweet!

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:53 pm

if Gameday is accurate Diamond not quite through 2 innings yet, has thrown 54 pitches, half for strikes with 3 BB's, 4 K's and a HR allowed. I'm going to assume that's not gonna get him a call-up for Tuesday.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:27 pm

Iowa offense making it easy for Diamond, up 10-2 now in the 4th, the AAAA's having the best days, although everyone but M. Camp has reached base by this point. Vitters 2/4 now with a line out in his 4th AB. Jackson triples and is 2/3 with 2 BB'S

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Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/08/2011 - 04:51 pm

by AAAA's I meant the Lou Montanez, Bobby Scales of the world, I think you'd be more likely to see them if the Cubs were in contention and needed a fill-in for whatever reason. My comment was to point out that Montanez, Scales, LaHair were having the big days as opposed to the real prospects like Campana, Smith, etc, who did well enough on their own.

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 04:19 pm

bryce harper 2-2 (2 singles, 1 RBI, SB + CS (pickoff)) after 3 innings in the pros.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

     

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary which helps the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: I think there was an issue with Luke Little coming into a game with men on base. He seems to need a "clean" inning to be dominant. So he is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AAA. Same goes for Michael Arias. He needs to come into a "clean" inning, and is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AA. Porter Hodge is a more versatile pitcher, a better version of Keegan Thompson (multi-inning RP). But Little, Arias, and Hodge (probably in that order) are the Cubs top three RP prospects (all three are Cubs Top 15 prospects).

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    So, let’s do a little war gaming. Taillon is back for tonight’s game. He pitched two rehab games, just a few innings each, and not especially sharp. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been lights out since the Cubs gave him the big contract. In other words, as flat out bad as Hendricks has been, the chances of Taillon being the savior don’t look exactly promising.

    If Taillon is equally ineffective or perhaps even worse, what’s the next move? Winning teams can often find a way to work around a dud fifth starter - kinda. Two dud starters make things much more difficult.

    I believe the biggest reason for the recent bullpen moves was dissatisfaction with the recent blowing of big leads and the recognition that the bullpen wasn’t all it was thought to be. In other words, they are exploring alternate options and configurations. If similar juggling becomes necessary (even more so than it already is), what kind of reasonable maneuvering do we think could be explored?

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Cubdom needs to prepare themselves for Wicks to be sent to Iowa for Taillon to come up.
    Ben Brown has 4 appearances. Wicks has 4 appearances.
    Ben has 16.1 IP.  Wicks has 17 IP
    Ben was a 1.1 WHIP.  Wicks has a 1.7 WHIP. Wicks does have significantly more SOs. 
    Ben has been better, though.
    I love Wicks. I think he's a fighter and his stuff has improved.
    But, Jed isn't ditching Hendricks just yet. He should. But he won't.
    Hendricks should go to the IL and Taillon-Imanaga-Assad-Wicks-Brown should be the rotation.
    Wont' happen though.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    AZ Phil,
    Did you agree with the demotion of Luke Little? He'd been pretty good up until the AZ/wild pitch appearance. I know that can't jettison Smyly (just yet) so they didn't need another LHRP. Especially with Leiter effectively being a LHRP. I still thought he deserved to stay. It's not permanent. He'll be back. Lots of moves to come with Taillon, Steele and other guys coming and going.

    Also, do you see Hodge being able to "control/command" his stuff to get a chance this year?
    Is Arias better than Hodge?   Thanks

  • crunch (view)

    just waiting to hear patrick wisdom and masterboney are spotted at the airport going in opposite directions...

    aj puk going for the marlins (lefty)...gotta imagine we'll see wisdom in the lineup.

    someone has to make room for taillon, too.

  • crunch (view)

    he's a low-level cubs star in the modern history of the cubs (c.zambrano, k.wood, r.dempster, etc), but that star has dimmed...and has been dimming since 2021.

    2024 has been ugly the whole way and we're only in mid-april.  homers aside (even though there's been 7 in 17ip) he gave up 29 hits in 20 spring innings and 31 in 17 regular season innings.

    he's pretty much only got 2 pitches at this point in his career and the mix isn't fooling anyone.  he threw a noticable amount more curves in his last start to add to the mix and it didn't help his issues.  he don't have many moves left to break out.

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