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

Castro Set to Join Illustrious 200 Hit, 21-and-Under Club

Unless Starlin Castro goes 0 for the rest of the season, he'll get his 200th hit sometime over the next 6 games and when he does, he'll be the 10th such major league to do it before their age 22 season.

Rk Player H Year Age Tm G PA AB R 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS Pos
1 Lloyd Waner 223 1927 21 PIT 150 683 629 133 17 6 2 27 37 23 14 0 .355 .396 .410 .806 *87/4
2 Alex Rodriguez 215 1996 20 SEA 146 677 601 141 54 1 36 123 59 104 15 4 .358 .414 .631 1.045 *6
3 Ty Cobb 212 1907 20 DET 150 642 605 97 28 14 5 119 24 57 53 0 .350 .380 .468 .848 *9
4 Buddy Lewis 210 1937 20 WSH 156 733 668 107 32 6 10 79 52 44 11 5 .314 .367 .425 .792 *5
5 Joe DiMaggio 206 1936 21 NYY 138 668 637 132 44 15 29 125 24 39 4 0 .323 .352 .576 .928 789
6 Hal Trosky 206 1934 21 CLE 154 685 625 117 45 9 35 142 58 49 2 2 .330 .388 .598 .987 *3
7 Vada Pinson 205 1959 20 CIN 154 706 648 131 47 9 20 84 55 98 21 6 .316 .371 .509 .880 *8
8 Garry Templeton 200 1977 21 STL 153 644 621 94 19 18 8 79 15 70 28 24 .322 .336 .449 .786 *6
9 Al Kaline 200 1955 20 DET 152 681 588 121 24 8 27 102 82 57 6 8 .340 .421 .546 .967 *9
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 9/21/2011.

That's 4 Hall-of-Famers, 1 if-they-ignore-the-steroids-Hall-of-Famer, 2 guys whose careers were deflated by World War II (Trosky and Lewis), and 2 guys with very solid and long major league careers (Pinson and Templeton). The only shortstops of the group are A-Rod and Templeton and well, no one is comparing Castro to A-Rod. And I don't think too many people are comparing him to Templeton either, whom I remember as more of a slap-hitting switch-htter whose bad knees got the better of him. Nonetheless, it wouldn't be a terrible career for Castro if he ended up north of 2000 hits and a few All-Star selections, although we are all certainly expecting more.

For what it's worth, if you expand it to age 22 and younger, another 15 instances are added. They include repeats by Pinson, A-Rod, Waner, Cobb and Dimaggio. Then add 6 more Hall of Famers (Stan Musial, Cal Ripken Jr., Freddie Lindstrom, former Cub Billy Herman, Frankie Frisch and Hank Aaron). Two more guys with very solid careers (Harvey Kuenn and Dick Allen), yet another great career interrupted by WWII (Johnny Pesky) and then one guy who took advantage of all the good players serving during the War (Dick Wakefield). So I think it's pretty safe to say that even better days are ahead for the Cubs occasionally absent-minded shortstop.

Comments

http://joeposnanski.si.com/2011/09/21/moneyball-the-movie/?sct=hp_t11_a…
Because of all this, I had an expectation for this movie that would have been — in the words of Rob Lowe — QUITE LITERALLY impossible to fulfill. I have written often about my expectation formula for movies, how it is the hope (or lack of hope) that you have going into the movie that helps define how you felt about the movie coming out. Going into Moneyball, my hope was that the movie would be pitch-perfect for intense baseball fans AND that it would make for great entertainment for people who care little to nothing about baseball.
But no movie can be all that. Great courtroom movies generally don’t impress lawyers with their accuracy. Great medical dramas don’t often leave doctors thinking, “Oh yeah, that’s just how it is.” I have spent more than one night at dinner going over the absurd and obvious flaws of the sportswriting life in Everybody Loves Raymond or The Odd Couple. Authenticity and entertainment don’t often go well together.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

it's not just inaccurate...it's wildly inaccurate and out of step with baseball reality. they made a baseball movie about baseball nerdism and left out the nerdism in favor of a false version of nerdism? ...and added witty banter between brad pitt and a little girl with an unfortunate haircut straight out of a Welch's Juice commercial. they've spent millions on ad spots all over the spectrum the past 3+ months...good luck on that.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

that's the thing...im not hearing anyone outside of the baseball community (that's mostly making excuses or calling out the movie) buzzing the film as something people want to see. granted, it has a modest budget and they are blitzing the hell of this movie with advertising ventures...it shouldn't bomb money-wise. i dunno if even the US take will cover the costs, though...and i wonder how much they've spent pimping the film. i understand what went into the film, it's revisions, and why it ended up being a cussing-Disney style fluff piece...but i also understand it's a 2 hour exercise in Any Given Sunday gone wrong. ...also, Dolphin Tale has a 88% at rt.com...im sure if i was 6 i'd enjoy it.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

a friend of mine was at the same press screening (unless SI went to the real screening with the real stars) and filled me in on watching 2+ hours of trying to make fake business seem like real business and real excitement. there's only so many beane distraught, beane mad, and beane being a smarmy smartass scenes you can watch while he's sitting in a chair (when he's not throwing them) or riding around in his car. unfortunately, he's also a baseball fan and had a hard time sitting through things he know didn't happen, aren't true, and are just plain stupid. he had a special place for the scenes of hatteberg character and coaches make believing moving a guy from C to 1st requiring a montage comparable of a person learning to ski and becoming awesome at it so they can save the ski lodge from the preppie bullies. i was also told i'd be rather disgusted in how the scouts were portrayed and it's worse than what was shown in the commercials. i'm interested to know if joe blow is actually going to plunk down $7+ for this. it's not exactly the "Facebook movie" but it tries to be...and my boy claims that the actual baseball footage is pretty slim...which goes against what SI dude says...weird on that one.

The chart makes me wonder... when was the last time a guy lead the league in stolen bases and RBI's like Cobb. It will be interesting to see how he progress, Templeton was a pretty good player (traded for Ozzie) who may have even got some HoF consideration had he stayed a little healthier.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/22/2011 - 12:48pm. still fascinating, the led the league in SLG and 3B as well as OPS, but 3rd in SB's. but they didn't lead by that much in those categories, but still nearly half a run better per game on runs scored. a lot of singles and a lot of extra bases apparently... =================================== ROB G: Pre-1920, the ball was like a mushy 16-inch softball (i. e. "dead") and it was difficult to hit balls over the fence. So a premium was placed on defense, speed, base-stealing, and the ability to intentionally place hits where the fielders weren't located (i. e. "hit 'em where they ain't"). When Babe Ruth set what was then the single-season HR record in 1919 with 29, he broke a record that had stood for 35 years (which is one year longer than the Babe's later single-season HR record of 60 stood). And then when he hit 54 HR in 1920 (when the "live" ball was introduced), Babe (by himself) out-homered every A. L. club but one. BTW, the single-season HR champion prior to Babe Ruth was the Chicago White Stockings (now Cubs) very own Ned Williamson, who hit 27 in 1884. The White Stockings (Cubs) were playing in a ballpark (Lakefront Park) located at Randolph & Michigan (on the site of the former city dump) at that time, and the LF fence was only 180 feet from home plate (allowing Williamson Dingers to fly over the fence onto Michigan Avenue). The park had the largest seating capacity of any major league stadium at the time (10,000), and also featured "sky boxes" for the high-rollers. The park was a multi-purpose stadium, too, and was used for bicycle races and other popular events (like Perry Como concerts). The park was abandoned by the White Stockings after Williamson's record-setting HR season because it did not meet new minimum field specifications (at least 200 feet to all outfield fences) established by MLB post-1884. There were just way too many home runs being hit there.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

"when was the last time a guy led the league in stolen bases and RBI's like Cobb?" Cobb did it three times, as did Honus Wagner. Cobb did it last in 1911. In my quick search, I didn't see anyone else. I looked a little more carefully at the 1950s and later, because the names (and the skills associated with the names) are more familiar to me. I didn't actually find anyone in the last 60-odd years who led the league in RBI in one year and SBs in another, let alone the same year--except, oddly enough, Jackie Jensen, with 116 RBI in 1955 and a paltry but league-leading 22 SBs in '54. Also odd that Mays, who led in SBs four straight seasons, never led in RBI. He did have Aaron, Banks and others to contend with, also Tommie Davis who knocked in 153 in 1962 to Mays's 141. That was a huge RBI number for Mays. My recollection is that he batted third in an era when sluggers usually hit fourth, so that may have put him at a competitive disadvantage, RBI-wise. Barry Bonds led in RBI once (1993, with 123), SBs never.

wow..leo nunez suspened and placed on the resticted list. they are dead set on scaring away FA's over there...wonder wtf he did. after the logan incident it's probably something major because they took a lot of heat for that from fans and peers.

as much as I'd prefer the higher draft pick for the Cubs, I'd prefer the Cardinals missing the playoffs even more. so go Cubs this weekend.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Yeah, things are lining up for the Cards for the wildcard. They must be stopped. In their last two series they won 3/4 from the Phillies and 2 in a row now from the Mets--one more to go. Then they finish against the Cubs and the hopeless Astros. On the other hand the Braves have lost their last two series to the Mets and Marlins and face the Nationals and Phillies. Wow! This is almost exciting.

certainly not as good as the work of Muskat, but Goldstein chases down some quotes from the A's powers-that-be on how they're evaluating players in the minors and draft nowadays and other such things. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15088 “The highest-paid statistic right now in major-league baseball in on-base percentage,” explained Beane. “That just wasn't the case 10 years ago. The universe gets back in order, and you are never going to monopolize any arbitrage for an extended period of time.” “I don't think much has changed in the way we make decisions,” said David Forst, who has been with Oakland for more than a decade, and the assistant GM since 2004. “What we do is different, but more so now than before. At the end of the day, we are trying to acquire the same players as other teams.” It's not that Oakland has changed in the last decade as much as the industry catching up to their way of thinking, leaving the future of the Athletics a far greater challenge than Beane and company faced heading into the new millennium. “We have our hands full,” explains Beane. “It's tougher now, but we've done it before. You asked me how things have changed. Well, we had a bad market and a bad venue 10 years ago, and now it's worse. The frustration is part of the deal, the challenge is fun to a point, but we've been trying to get a new stadium for 20 years, and now we're the last ones in line. Next year, once Florida moves into their new park, we will be the only shared facility in the game.”

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

obviously...i keep bringing it up. wait. "i still think people give CM a bad wrap...sure her "mailbag" articles are mostly a joke, but she does some good writing and gets her quotes." "CM gets her quotes on the ground. it helps to have access...but some other MLB.com writers don't even use that access." --- and --- "indded, her incredible ability to transfer from audio recorder to word processing software is unheralded!!!" "nah, I was just confused at praising her ability to get quotes while working for cubs.com." "No one is gonna turn her down or have the option to turn her down. I guess props for being good enough to get the job in the first place....and then there's the part where (probably due to pressure from her bosses) to not relate many of the less-than-flattering quotes." "sure, no one does fluff pieces like Muskat and cubs.com." "certainly not as good as the work of Muskat, but Goldstein chases down some quotes from the A's powers-that-be"

Recent comments

  • 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?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).