Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

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

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

2011 Cubs Draft Tracker Ticker - Day 2

ROUND 2 (68): Dan Vogelbach, 1B (Bishop Verot HS - Ft. Myers, FL)
L/R, 6'0, 250, 18 years old
COMMENT: Rated by Baseball America as the #109 best player and the #3 best HS power hitter in 2011 draft... Hit 508-ft HR (with metal bat) at the Power Showcase in December... Hit 17 HR in 32 games leading his HS team to 2011 Florida 3-A state championship... Weighed 280+ a year ago but lost 30+ pounds over past year... Signed NLI with U. of Florida...

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ROUND 3 (98): Zeke DeVoss, 2B-CF (U. of Miami)
B/R, 5'10, 175, 20 years old
COMMENT: Draft-eligible college sophomore... Less-polished than your typical D-1 college player... Batted lead-off and hit 340/491/456 with 32 SB (10 CS) and 57 BB/30 K in 291 PA and 61 games for the Hurricanes in 2011... Gap hitter with plus-speed... Versatile athletic player... Played SS in HS and was moved to 2B at "The U.," but probably projects as a CF in pro ball... Drafted out of HS in 38th round of 2009 draft by Red Sox but did not sign...

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ROUND 4 (129): Tony Zych, RHP (U. of Louisville)
R/R, 6'3, 190, 20 years old
COMMENT: College junior... Was selected by Cubs in 46th round of 2008 draft out of St. Rita HS in Chicago but did not sign... Rated the 50th best prospect in 2011 draft by Baseball America... One of the top closers in college baseball, was voted the #1 prospect in Cape Cod League in 2010 when he led league with 12 saves... Had 13 saves for Louisville in 2011... Two-pitch pitcher... Throws 94-97 MPH fastball that tops out at 99 and a mid-80's slider... Good hitter and fielder, he also played some infield for the Cardinals in prior seasons...

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ROUND 5 (159): Tayler Scott, RHP (Notre Dame Prep - Scottsdale, AZ)
R/R, 6'3, 165, 19 years old
COMMENT: South African... Moved to U. S. three years ago to work with pitching guru Tom House and play HS baseball ... Was rated by Baseball America as the #193 best player in 2011 draft... Two-pitch pitcher... Throws 90-92 MPH fastball that tops out at 93... Does not throw a change-up, and breaking ball is still a work in progress.... 5-3 with a 2.87 ERA, with 46 hits allowed and 26/58 BB/K in 46 IP for Notre Dame in 2011... Arizona 4-A 2nd team All-State soccer player... Has only been playing baseball for three years... Played soccer, rugby, and cricket in South Africa... Signed NLI with U. of Arizona...

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ROUND 6 (189): Neftali Rosario, C (Puerto Rico Baseball Academy - Gurabo, PR)
R/R, 5'11, 193, 17 years old
COMMENT: Polished receiver with a strong arm... Started to show HR power this season...

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ROUND 7 (219): Trevor Gretzky, 1B (Oak Christian HS - Westlake, CA)
L/L, 6'4, 190, 18 years old
COMMENT: Son of hockey great Wayne Gretzky... Has a line drive stroke with projection to eventually hit for HR power... Has below-average speed... Could probably play LF once he has completed shoulder surgery rehab... Signed NLI with San Diego State...

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ROUND 8 (249): Taylor Dugas, CF (U. of Alabama)
L/L, 5'8, 170, 21 years old
COMMENT: College junior... Was a Baseball America first-team All-American in 2010... Also All-SEC 2010-11... Hit 349/455/564 with 8 HR & 33 RBI, 20 doubles, four triples, 41/22 BB/K, 8 SB (5 CS) in 290 PA (63 games) for Crimson Tide in 2011... Has only slightly above-average speed... Outstanding defensive CF with an average arm... Has drawn 100+ walks over past two seasons...

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ROUND 9 (279): Garrett Schlecht, OF (Waterloo HS - Waterloo, IL)
L/L, 6'2, 195, 18 years old
COMMENT: Two-way player in HS (LHP/1B)... Athletic defender and good hitter but with below average speed... Projects as corner OF in pro ball... Signed NLI with Middle Tennessee State...

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ROUND 10 (309): Danny Lockhart, SS (Hebron Christian Academy - Dacula, GA)
L/R, 6'2, 195, 18 years old
COMMENT: Son of former MLB infielder and current Cubs Georgia & South Carolina Area Scout Keith Lockhart... Hit .512 in four years at Hebron Academy... Led Lions to 2011 GHSA State Baseball Championship... Signed NLI with Kennesaw State...

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ROUND 11 (339): Shawon Dunston, Jr, CF (Valley Christian HS - San Jose, CA)
L/R, 6'2, 175, 18 years old
COMMENT: Son of former Cub SS Shawon Dunston, Sr... Hit 319/420/447 for Warriors in 2011... Plus-speed but is otherwise very raw... Signed NLI with Vanderbilt...

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ROUND 12 (369): Jacob Lindgren, LHP (St. Stanislaus HS - Kiln, MS)
L/L, 5'11, 180, 18 years old
COMMENT: Two way player in HS (OF-LHP)... Throws 86-88 MPH sinker, change-up, and curve... Signed NLI with Mississippi State... ...

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ROUND 13 (399): Trey Martin, CF (Brookwood HS - Snellville, GA)
R/R, 6'2, 188, 18 years old
COMMENT: Hit 423/475/692 with 4 HR & 18 RBI, 16 doubles, 13/11 BB/K, and 9 SB in 34 games for the Broncos in 2011... Like Danny Lockhart, Martin signed NLI with Kennesaw State......

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ROUND 14 (429): Dillon Maples, RHP (Pinecrest HS - Southern Pines, NC)
R/R, 6'3, 205, 19 years old
COMMENT: Rated by Baseball America as the #46 best prospect in the draft... Throws a mid-90's fastball and a plus-curve... 2011 Gatorade North Carolina HS Player of the Year... Member of USA Junior National Team... Two-way player (RHP/3B)... Went 9-1 with 0.92 ERA and 143 K in 68.2 IP on the mound... Also hit 431 with 7 HR as 3B... Also a PK on his HS football team and is considered good enough to kick in D-1 college football... Signed NLI with U. of North Carolina...

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ROUND 15 (459): Justin Marra, C (Michael Power/St. Joseph Secondary School - Etobicoke, Ontario)
L/R, 5'10, 185, 18 years old
COMMENT: Member of Canadian Junior National Team... Has shown strong arm and plus raw power in international competition... Has not yet signed an NLI, but plans to attend either Connors State JC in Oklahoma or Jefferson JC in Missouri if he does not sign pro contract...

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ROUND 16 (489): Rafael Lopez, C (Florida State)
L/R, 5'9, 190, 23 years old
COMMENT: College senior... Attended Boston College and Indian River JC before landing at Florida State... Has only been catching for three years but already is considered above-average defensively... Hit 325/437/520 with 7 HR & 36 RBI, 18 doubles, and 35/34 BB/K in 246 PA (57 games) for Seminoles in 2011...

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ROUND 17 (519): John Andreoli, OF (U. of Connecticut)
R/R, 6'1, 215, 21 years old
COMMENT: College junior... Father played in NFL with the New England Patriots and cousin is MLB RHP Daniel Bard... Good bunter, but bat is questionable... Good defensive outfielder... Also can play 1B... Has plus-arm and above-average speed... Hit 319/335/350 with 0 HR, six doubles, 24 BB/33 K, and 22 SB (8 CS), in 295 PA (64 games) for Huskies in 2011...

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ROUND 18 (549): James Pugliese, RHP (Mercer County CC)
R/R, 6'3, 195, 18 years old
COMMENT: JC freshman... Allowed 30 hits and 23 walks with 71 strikeouts in 57 IP for MCCC in 2011..

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ROUND 19 (579): Paul Hoilman, 1B (East Tennessee State)
R/R, 6'4, 240, 22 years old
COMMENT: College senior... Big-time power... Won Home Run Derby at 2010 College World Series... Tied for third in NCAA D-1 with 22 HR in 2011... Hit 313/440/724 with 22 HR & 50 RBI, 22 doubles, and 44/72 BB/K in 266 PA (57 games) for Buccaneers in 2011... Also played 3B earlier in his career... Academic All-American (is majoring in Mathematics)... Plans to attend either law school or medical school...

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ROUND 20 (609): Ben Klafczynski, OF (Kent State)
L/R, 6'3, 195, 22 years old
COMMENT: College senior... Hit 368/448/591 with 10 HR & 57 RBI, 19 doubles, 3 triples, and 36/35 BB/K in 286 PA (62 games) for the Golden Flashes in 2011...

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ROUND 21 (639): Andrew McKirahan, LHP (U. of Texas)
R/L, 6'2, 195, 21 years old
COMMENT: College junior... Lefty reliever... 3.05 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 5/13 BB/K in 20.2 IP and 20 games (all in relief) for Longhorns in 2011...

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ROUND 22 (669): Ethan Elias, RHP (Grand Trunk HS - Evansburg, Alberta)
R/R, 6'3, 180, 18 years old
COMMENT: Member of Canadian Junior National Team... Signed NLI with Central Arizona JC...

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ROUND 23 (699): Bradley Zimmer, OF (La Jolla HS - La Jolla, CA)
L/R, 6'5, 195, 18 years old
COMMENT: Hit 446/500/723 for Vikings before broken hand ended 2011 season... Long stride with average speed... Projected to develop HR power as he fills out... Signed NLI with U. of San Francisco (older brother Kyle is RHP and #1 starter at USF)...

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ROUND 24 (729): George Asmus, RHP (Ohlone JC)
R/R, 6'2, 195, 20 years old
COMMENT: JC sophomore... 1st Team All-Conference... Will transfer to U. of Washington if he does not sign with Cubs...

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ROUND 25 (759): Rock Shoulders, 1B (State College of Florida - Manatee/Sarasota JC)
L/R, 6'2, 225, 19 years old
COMMENT: JC freshman... Ex-catcher with plus-arm... Plus-power... Led all Florida JC players with 14 HR in 2011... Lumbering slow runner... Could possibly play 3B if he gets into better shape... Was drafted by Red Sox out of HS in 20th round of 2010 draft but did not sign...

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ROUND 26 (789): Michael Jensen, RHP (Hartnell JC)
R/R, 6'1, 185, 20 years old
COMMENT: JC sophomore... Pre-season JUCO All-American... Went 6-3 with a 2.00 ERA for the Panthers in 2011... Will transfer to USC if he does not sign with Cubs...

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ROUND 27 (819): Taiwan Easterling, OF (Florida State)
R/R, 5'11, 190, 22 years old
COMMENT: College senior (redshirt junior)... Star WR on Seminoles football team... Returned to baseball in 2010 after not playing the game since he was named Mississippi's "Mr. Baseball" his senior year at Oak Grove HS in Hattiesburg in 2007... Was also a Rawlings Perfect Game High School All-American in 2007... Was drafted by the Florida Marlins twice previously but did not sign, out of HS in the 6th round in 2007, and then again in the 31st round last year... Hit 302/367/377 for FSU in 2011... He has one year of football eligiblity remaining because he redshirted his freshman year (2007)...

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ROUND 28 (849): Chris Garrison, RHP (Western Nevada JC)
R/R, 6'4, 185, 21 years old
COMMENT: JC sophomore... Was selected out of HS by Orioles in 48th round of 2008 draft but did not sign... Transferred to WNC after spending freshman year at University of Oregon... Went 7-3 with a 2.59 ERA 25/45 BB/K for Wildcats in 2011... Will transfer to U. of Kentucky if he does not sign with Cubs

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ROUND 29 (879): Drew Weeks, 3B (Clay HS - Clay, FL)
R/R, 6'2, 180, 17 years old
COMMENT: Hit .470 for Blue Devils in 2011... Signed NLI with U. of North Florida...

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ROUND 30 (909): Arturo Maltos-Garcia, RHP (Lamar CC)
R/R, 6'1, 190, 19 years old
COMMENT: JC sophomore... Was rated 2nd best prospect in Colorado by Baseball America pre-draft... Throws 90-92 MPH fastball and a 12-6 "hammer"-curve... Suffered season-ending elbow injury in JUCO playoffs... Prior to injury had gone 11-1 with a 2.11 ERA, with 64/139 BB/K in 94 IP... Will transfer to U. of New Mexico if he does not sign with Cubs...

Comments

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In reply to by Jumbo

Freshman (2010)... Played in 62 games with 60 starts in his rookie season... Ended the season eighth on the team in batting average, holding a .251 average... Held a .450 slugging percentage... Scored 49 runs on 53 hits with nine home runs, nine doubles and three triples... Pushed across 33 RBI on the campaign... Drew 27 walks while laying down a team-leading 11 sacrifice hits/bunts... Finished the year tied with classmate Stephen Perez for a team-best 24 stolen bases in 28 attempts... Registered 113 putouts and an assist from his position in the outfield, collecting a team fourth-highest .974 fielding percentage... Posted the walk-off game-winning three-RBI homerun (his only hit of the afternoon) in the third game of a series sweep of Rutgers (Feb. 21)... Opened his collegiate career with two hits, including a double, and scoring twice in a season-opening win over Rutgers (Feb. 19)... http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/devoss_zeke00.html Doesn't look too great...

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In reply to by Jumbo

More on Zeke DeVoss from the Miami Herald: Teammate Zeke DeVoss didn't go long after [Harold] Martinez. He was taken eight picks later by the Chicago Cubs, 98th overall and early in the third round. DeVoss, who led UM with a .340 batting average and the ACC with 32 stolen bases, was a little surprised he went so early. "“I was actually at home [in Miami], laying in bed," DeVoss said. "I wasn’t really expecting it. I had the draft on my computer and heard my name. It is a tremendous blessing. To get drafted by such a great club like the Chicago Cubs, I’m really excited.” DeVoss is only a sophomore, but because his 21st birthday on July 17 falls before the signing cut-off he was eligible for this year's draft. So will he also be leaving UM behind? "The Cubs are going to be calling back in the next couple of days to discuss things," DeVoss said. "I don’t intend on having it be something that lasts all summer. I’ll decide in the next week or two. At this point, it’s really 50-50. I would like to sign, but I wouldn’t have any problem with coming back next year. This is a great place. It’s great to play under Coach Morris. To get a degree from UM, I’m sure anybody in the world would love to do that."

Josh Bell went to Pirates at beginning of second round, be a helluva draft if they get him signed. Dwight Smith Jr. went in supplemental to Toronto at #53

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In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Doubt they would include League. No doubt they want to upgrade the bullpen for a playoff run though? Marmol would be a HUGE upgrade. Pena is probably a more productive offensive player down the stretch as well. Just depends on how much that regime wants to WIN NOW? Ichiro, King Felix and Erik Bedard aren't signed on out there forever? And that GM is surely feeling some pressure to win? Just logically seems like a team that would maybe overpay for deadline pieces? Especially after spending heavy last year and ending up in last place.

Just when you think they're starting to put together a nice draft... Gretzky, Trevor.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

As followed by Taylor Dugas, another not so exciting prospect (particularly in a draft deep with pitching). He is a more patient but slower Tony Campana. From Baseball America: Outfielder Taylor Dugas was a first-team All-American in 2010, and at 5-foot-7, 165 pounds, he's a better college player than pro prospect. Hitting is his best skill. He has an excellent approach, having drawn 100 walks the last two seasons, and he earns comparisons to former Tide outfielder Emeel Salem, who reached Triple-A last season in the Rays system. Dugas is a slighlty above-average runner but plays a good center field. He's a tough profile whose arm is just fair, and his lack of power and game-changing speed limits him long-term.

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In reply to by springs

"He finished second on the team in hitting during the regular season, then led the team in SEC play with a .317 average. He had team-highs in home runs (5), triples (4) and doubles (19), giving him a club leading .540 slugging percentage. His 38 walks also led the team, helping him to a team-best .453 on-base percentage." From the U of A website about his making 2nd team all SEC. At least he sounds like a ball player, and the new bats didn't totally sap his power.

Their headcoach is probably hating the Cubs right now.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

Maples looks like a steal (#46 rated player by BA) but I think signing him will be the most difficult part. Hopefully the Cubs pony up second round/late first round money to get him, because he appears to be our best pitcher in this draft. So far, a very un-Cubs draft. Lots of high school and projectability, three catchers all having demonstrated with ok to good power and defense, speedy guys who take walks (Cubs scouts probably thought "These are good players if we can just get them to stop taking too many pitches!) Other than Gretzky and Dugas (who I still am not sold on), this is a pretty exciting draft for the Cubs IMO.

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In reply to by springs

maples plays in a really lax region/conference, imo. his school doesn't play "real" competition for this area...4A school, but a lax region. for reference...pinehurst's golf team is it's key team. it's a school and region full of very rich kids with some very serious prescription pill abuse issues...not that this has anything to do with maples, though...i hope. they got a hell of a pitching coach for a highschool team, though...james baldwin. remember him from the wsox and about 20 other teams? =p btw, i would be surprised if he settled for anything close to slot money. he can go put his 3 years in at UNC and slot much higher, barring injury/etc. -edit- checked up on his playoff stats vs. more legit state competition and he not only held his own, but dominated. that helps his case. pinehurst used to be a baseball powerhouse with strong regional ties...now it's more of a lax region, but it's still a strong school with baseball. their conference/region has suffered greatly from schools in their region scaling back their programs, changing to lower divisions, or eliminating baseball programs.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 06/07/2011 - 2:53pm. Report on Dillon Maples sounds pretty promising, though there's a dispute on which hand he throws with... I assume AZ Phil has got a typo there. ================================ TRN: It was a brain fart on my part. Dillon Maples is indeed a RHP. It has been corrected, as have some other typos of less importance. BTW, if you click on the names, something of interest should appear for just about every player (sometimes a video, sometimes other stuff).

Anyone else surprised by all the High School picks? High Ceiling hitters with On base pedigrees? Who's making these very un-Cub like picks today?

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In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Tue, 06/07/2011 - 2:59pm. Anyone else surprised by all the High School picks? High Ceiling hitters with On base pedigrees? Who's making these very un-Cub like picks today? ============================= DR AARON B: With the so-called "hard-slotting" a real possibility starting next season, this might be the last time to entice HS kids out of their college rides with over-slot bonuses. It could very well be a mostly college draft next year.

Interesting 16th round pick, good defender, fast, good arm (though quesionable hitting, but its the 16th round, so can't be too greedy). Again from BA: "Right fielder John Andreoli, whose dad has the same name and played in the NFL for one season with the New England Patriots, had a solid sophomore season but needed to reinvent himself with the less-lively bats this year. Andreoli, who is also Daniel Bard's cousin, improved throughout the spring, but scouts still question his bat, as he doesn't hit for much power. He's a plus runner timed in the 6.55-second range in the 60-yard dash, and he has a knack for bunting for a base hit. Andreoli is a good defender, and his arm strength is not that far behind Springer's."

tidbits from BA draft blog Cubs: California HS 1B Trevor Gretzky. The son of the Great One was thought to be bound for San Diego State, but that might change after he got drafted this high. Power is his best tool, but the rest of his game needs a lot of work. The Cubs went with Arizona prep righthander Tayler Scott, one of the most interesting stories in the draft. Scott moved to the United States from South Africa a few years ago and is also a standout soccer player. He's an above-average runner and has a fastball in the 90-93 mph range with a promising curveball. Scott is committed to Arizona. 129. Cubs: Louisville RHP Tony Zych. Works 94-97, touching 99. Some funk to his delivery makes fastball seem faster. Athletic 6-foot-3, 188 pounds. Slider needs consistency. 68. Cubs: Florida HS 1B Dan Vogelbach. Bat-only guy with some of the best power in the draft, hit a 508-foot homer at the Power Showcase in December. HS teammate of Twins sandwich pick Hudson Boyd.

some Kevin Goldstein tweets... says Dunston Jr. is pretty committed to going to Vanderbilt, Gretzky will be a tough sign as well, seemed very enthused about the Zych pick

time to load up a huge syringe of cubs baseball and get my junkie fix. at this point it has to be some kind of addiction because there's little other reason to watch this team. wee. oh joy...and the reds feed is the only one available on EI...neat.

now it's tony campananaanannanana's turn to go on the DL. =p walked off the field on his own...slipped cartoon-style off the top of the bag at 1st running through it at top speed. he's probably fine...seems fine...out of the game, though.

Good way to end the 2nd day (from Baseball America)..."Righthander Arturo Maltos-Garcia was sailing along this season, going 11-1, 2.11 with 139 strikeouts (and 64 walks) over 94 innings. His fastball sits in the 90-92 mph range and he has the best curveball in the Four Corners, a true 12-to-6 hammer. But he walked off the mound in the juco playoffs with an arm injury, which probably squashed his draft chances. He'll likely head to New Mexico next season." Sounds like a good pitcher who fell in the draft due to an injury. Would be a good sign in the 30th round, assuming the injury is not career threatening. Normally I wouldn't expect the Cubs to sign him, but this has been a somewhat un-Cub draft so maybe they will take a chance he can recover and be a mid to low end rotation starter.

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In reply to by Paul Noce

Submitted by Paul Noce on Tue, 06/07/2011 - 6:02pm. AZ Phil, On average, around what percentage of draft picks sign with their teams? 50%? ================================================ PAUL N: Usually about 90% of the top 10 picks (players selected in rounds 1-10) sign, about 80% of the next ten picks (11-20) sign, about 60% of the next ten (21-30) sign, about 50% of the next ten (31-40) sign, and about 20% of the bottom ten (41-50) sign, or typically about 30 out of the 50 picks (60%) sign. Usually only about 10 of the players selected in the bottom half of the draft (rounds 26-50) will sign, while 20 out of the first 25 picks will likely sign.

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In reply to by The Real Neal

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 06/07/2011 - 6:29pm. Phil, Any ideas on the tough signings, other than the aforementioned Maples? I am assuming Easterling is a guy they give a two sport contract to, then try to woo if he shows more next year before the NFL draft. ================================== TRN: Usually the Area Scouts already have a pretty good idea about a player's intentions before a team will draft the player, but I would think Taylor Scott (possible two sport option at U. of A and a chance to get better), Shawon Dunston, Jr (Vanderbilt), Dillon Maples (UNC), Bradley Zimmer (chance to be with his brother at USF), and Michael Jensen (USC) would appear to be the tougher ones just because their college options are really good ones. And Dan Vogelbach really seems like a misfit for any N. L. team, because there's a good chance that even if he makes it to the big leagues, it will be as a DH. He looks a lot like a LH version of Brian Dopirak (another Florida HS slugger) to me.

Dud Davis is soo slow between pitches, I thought I was watching time lapse photography baseball --- Can we pleeze just move on and let Jay Jackson take his lumps in the majors...at least he will add some exciting offense, God knows they at least need his bat.

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In reply to by Jim Hickmans Bat

Really not understanding the Aramis hate going around. I get that his production this year is subpar, but he is hitting the Magic Age of Decline, after all. I don't think the Cubs should bring him back unless it's at a bargain rate, and it'd be ideal if they could trade him for someone useful (I know, not happening); but unlike seemingly everybody else, it pains me to say that. 20.7 WAR as a Cub is not nothing, is it? (DLee 19.9, Soriano 6.8 [fart])

The BA draft issue had an article about the Rays and their surplus of high draft choices, pointing out that it didn't really guarantee anything. Most teams with a lot of high picks has botched it pretty badly, primariliy because they get cheap. 1991 Houston Astros draft: http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?query_type=franch_year&team_ID…; One first, 3 supplementals and 3 seconds, 101 picks in total - two major leaguers (they didn't sign Burke), who amounted to positive WAR.

If I were to target the top three Cubs selections out of this draft so far, I would throw my money at: 1. Javier Baez 2. Tony Zych 3. Dillon Maples And if they still say no, I'd make 'em an offer they can't refuse. Michael Jensen has the look of a Trey McNutt/Nick Struck type of unproven JC pitcher with upside. I'd try and buy him out of his ride to USC. (Heck, the Cubs bought Struck out of a chance to pitch at the University of Hawaii!). And I wouldn't be afraid to sign Arturo Maltos-Garcia, either, even if he has TJS. The Cubs drafted Dallas Beeler out of Oral Roberts U. in the 41st round of last year's draft when he was still rehabbing from TJS, and he just threw six shutout innings (with no walks) in his AA debut last night. (1.77 and 1.01 WHIP combined between Peoria and Tennessee so far this year, and he doesn't turn 22 until Sunday).

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In reply to by Arizona Phil

Hey PHIL: Indeed, listening to Jim Callis on the local radio. He felt that Baez was the best HS bat in the draft, and will end up at 3B. He LOVES Zych and, "...thinks he's a steal at a number 4 pick." He also gave Wilken a grade over the last two years a "B", and the Sox guy, a "C". They have the Cubs Farm system ranked 16th, and the Sox 26th. Even after the trade, right now, Callis said the Cubs still have more "in the tank" than the Sox - FWIW.

Brad Snyder is in the lineup today. Castro gets the day off, Barney at SS. DeWitt at 2b. Fuku/Barney/DeWitt/Pena/ARam/Snyder/Campana/Hill/Dempster Update: Dempster might be hurt, might not start. Rodrigo Lopez also warming up.

Barney and Pena with wonderful 1 pitch weak groundouts in the first inning. Dempster is on the mound to start the bottom of the first. No word yet on what his situation is. I hope it's just something like a flu-bug and not anything physical.

Arroyo throws an 86mph fastball down the middle of the plate and Pena jacks it about 3/4th of the way up the bleachers down the right field line. 2-1 Cubs. 443ft. Next pitch: ARam takes a 70mph breaking ball out of the park to LF. 342 ft. 3-1 Cubs, signs of life.

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s a fantastic deal for SF

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?