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

2011 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day One

ROUND 1 (9): Javier Baez, SS (Arlington Country Day School - Jacksonville, FL)
R/R, 6'1, 205, 18 years old
COMMENT: Rated by Baseball America as the best HS hitter in the draft... Hit .771 with 64 hits, 22 HR, 20 doubles, 52 RBIs and just three K in 2011... Very aggressive hitter with plus bat-speed and plus raw-power... Above-average arm but just barely average range for SS... Figures to eventually outgrow SS and move to another position (most likely 3B)... Emotional player on the field... Signed NLI with Jacksonville U...

Comments

Buzz from the scout.com chat: 4:09 [Comment From Tim Tim: ] Do the Cubs take Lindor if he is there at 9? Seems the way things 4:10 Frankie Piliere: I haven't heard that but Cubs playing it super close to the vest as usual Monday June 6, 2011 4:10 Frankie Piliere: As I say that, some good buzz comes in on those same Cubs.... 4:11 Frankie Piliere: Buzz: Cubs are going "way off the board" with their pick. Not exactly a surprised given last year but makes my job impossible trying to figure it out. 4:13 [Comment From Gammy Gammy: ] The Cubs are taking Vogelbach or Cron... Monday June 6, 2011 4:13 Gammy 4:13 Frankie Piliere: At this point, I can't say no to that http://sbb.scout.com/2/1077197.html Would anyone be surprised?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

another update on Speck-gate According to multiple international directors, Major League Baseball sent teams a memo on Saturday at 10 p.m. E.T. to inform them that Garcia Speck is eligible for the draft. Garcia, a 21-year-old who is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, is represented by Los Angeles-based agent Gus Dominguez, who scouts said had scheduled a workout for Garcia Speck to be seen on Saturday, June 11 at Pierce Junior College. Multiple international directors expressed frustration that MLB would declare a Cuban defector draft-eligible on such short notice, suggesting that the player likely already has a deal in place with a team. Others added that they would be elated if another team used a high draft pick on Garcia Speck, who struggled with his control in Cuba.

Cubs selected RHP Sonny Gray (Vanderbilt) out of Smyrna HS - Smyrna, TN in 27th round of 2008 draft but he did not sign. So with so many obvious choices now off the board, it would not surprise me if the Cubs draft Gray again, like they have done in the past with Andrew Cashner, Marquez Smith, and Sam Fuld.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

http://sbb.scout.com/2/1077071.html Baez is athletic, fast, has versatility in the field, and most importantly has a plus bat with plus power potential. He has star quality at the plate, and if he can stick at a premium position his value will continue to rise. Defensively not there as a SS, but could easily move to 3b or OF and link says catcher even a possibility. http://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=275154 While Baez’ offensive potential intrigues scouts the most, he has impressive defensive tools, as well, that enable him to play a number of positions. He plays shortstop for his high-school team, but spent last summer primarily at third base due to his thicker build and 6.9-second speed in the 60. The temptation may exist for the team that drafts Baez to install him at third base, given the tremendous offensive contribution he could make at that position, but Baez has solid shortstop actions, good first-step quickness, nice balance on the run and plenty of arm strength. Another position that has intrigued scouts is catcher, and Baez tried his hand at there briefly at the East Coast Professional Showcase last August.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I like him better than Lindor, but Starling has more power, better speed, better defense and possible the farthest opposite (to the positive side) in attitude. I hoped that the Cubs would get Starling...when he wasn't available, I was hoping for a pitcher. ESPN stated (paraphrasing) that he swings for the fences on every pitch and his ability to hit for average will be dependent on his ability to cut down his swing when needed. Doesn't sound like a very stable guy, not sure how coachable (maybe he has just had bad coaching, though his coach is his legal guardian) and really is more just quick bat speed and raw power than anything else. Here is the ESPN quote: At the plate Baez unleashes on every pitch with a max-effort swing that, when he squares a ball up, produces loud, hard contact. He doesn't shorten up or ever use another approach beyond "swing with all you've got," and he can get too power-happy and start to swing uphill. He still projects to hit for plus power, but the potential to hit for average will depend on his willingness to cut down his swing when needed

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Stories of 500 foot home run shots in ESPN's story about him. He hit .481 and hit a homer every 6 ABs. Not sure how that is considered a "worse hitter" or someone who "cannot hit". No scouting story at all says he can't hit. You are just making that up to make a point that Baez is a better hitter now, something that is likely not true. More importantly, every report had Starling rated higher than Baez. Starling has more talent, a higher ceiling and an attitude that makes reaching that ceiling more likely. You are looking at this through Cub-colored glasses if you prefer Baez to Starling. The comparison to Harvey is funny...Starling is significantly more talented. But because you want to make that comparison, I'll say he is similar to Ken Griffey Jr. Comparisons are both invalid, but it appears that you thought you justified your point with this comparison, so I might as well justify mine with Junior.

How many losses in a row before the firings start? I say 0-fer road trip (which would be 12 in a row I think) would at least get a pitching or hitting coach fired.

Playing blake dewitt in lf is a firable offense...replacing Soriano's bat with a singles hitter is akin to replacing DLee with Neifi, and DeWitt's defense is a good comp with....um, Alf. What's next...Koyie Hill in LF?

It will be hard for his (Baez) defense to be worse than what aram's is these days Someone on mlb radio (not Grant Paulson), XM, said his hitting reminded him of manram in his hs days.

I'm knocking the Cubs and not Baez, but really, what odds does a high school hitter drafted in the 1st round by the Cubs have to even sip coffee in the majors? 10%?

baez HS numbers/blurb from TSN: "SS JAVIER BAEZ, Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville). His numbers this season were staggering—22 home runs, .771 batting average, 64 hits, 20 doubles, 52 RBIs and just three strikeouts. "A lot of guys—and I respect them for that—challenged him," ACD coach Ron Dickerson says." ...a quick check by me of recent stats from the region put it on par with a lot of HS programs where guys batting .500-.600 isn't too uncommon for top 10 performers. .771 is pretty hardcore in this area...or any area. .463 with 13hr in 2009 as a soph. (8bb/5k/93pa)

I guess it's all about perspective: "He's got two different swings," Wilken said. "He really lets it out at times, and then he's got a good two-strike approach." Wilken and other Cubs scouts were impressed when they met with Baez last week in Sebring, Fla. "He's a very quiet young man off the field, very fiery on the field," Wilken said. "He's more of a student-type young man. He's confident, but it's silent confidence. He doesn't mince his words. You're going to get straight answers. There's not going to be a lot of verbiage in between." http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110606&content_id=20…

FWIW, and I don't think I saw anyone mention this but could be wrong, I saw somewhere yesterday that Baez got good grades. This shows a little discipline of the good kind, and leads me to think we may not be looking at character issues with the "fiery" disposition but just a hard nosed player.

Feeling good about the Cubs' 1st rounder? The Rays have already drafted 10 players... Now that is one way to fortify your farm system... (seems like the ONLY way)...

Understatement of the year- RT @Buster_ESPN: There is no more ineffective group of veteran players, in terms of leadership and matching production to dollars, than those of the Cubs.

Recent comments

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • 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!!!