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

  • 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.