Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
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

Cub Bats Mostly Silent at Talking Stick

Submitted by Arizona Phil on
Micah Gibbs tripled and singled, scored a run, and drove-in another, but the Rockies scored five unanswered runs to overcome an early 2-1 deficit and defeated the Cubs 6-2 in AZ Instructional League action this afternoon at Dust Storm Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick east of Scottsdale.

Here is the abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1a. Zeke DeVoss, CF: 0-3 (K, K, K)
1b. Jeffrey Baez, PH: 0-0 (BB)
2a. Danny Lockhart, SS: 1-3 (1B, E-5, 5-3, CS)
2b. Mark Malave, PH: 0-1 (6-3)
3. Rafael Lopez, DH-C: 0-3 (4-3, F-8, L-6)
4. Reggie Golden, RF: 0-3 (K, F-8, F-7)
5. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 0-3 (4-3, K, K)
6. Dustin Geiger, 1B: 0-2 (HBP, 6-3, 6-3, R)
7. Micah Gibbs, DH #2: 2-3 (3B, 4-3, 1B, R, RBI)
8a. Justin Marra, C: 1-2 (1B, 4-3, RBI, SB)
8b. Garrett Schlecht, LF: 0-0 (BB)
9. Shawon Dunston, Jr, LF-DH: 0-3 (F-8, 4-3, 4-6 FC, CS)
10. Carlos Penalver, 2B: 0-3 (FC, F-7, 5-3, CS)

PITCHERS:
1. Starling Peralta: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 2 WP, 24 pitches (12 strikes), 2/4 GO/FO
2. Christopher Pieters: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 0 K, 29 pitches (13 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
3. Alexander Santana: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 32 pitches (17 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
4. Tayler Scott: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 31 pitches (18 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
5. Michael Jensen: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 14 pitches (8 strikes), 3/0 GO/FO
6. Tarlandus Mitchell: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 26 pitches (15 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO

ERRORS: 1
C Rafael Lopez - E-2 (overthrow at 2nd base on SB allowed runner to advance to 3rd base)

CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. Justin Marra: 0-1 CS, 1 PB
2. Rafael Lopez: 0-3 CS, 1 E (see above)

ATTENDANCE: 24

WEATHER: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the 70’s

Tags
Cubs Minor Leaguers
Micah Gibbs
AZ Instructional League

Comments

Submitted by toonsterwu on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:36 am

Hope you are having fun watching the future. Quick Question on Marco Hernandez - BA's write up on him for their AZL list said plus speed and plus arm (along with good range at short). On paper, that seems to suggest potential plus defense at short. That said, I recall, at some point (can't seem to find it right now), you had questions about his arm and thought that he might end up at 2nd base. I'm just curious about your take on BA's write-up. Also, what's your take on Marco and Jeimer's power ceilings? And is there a reason Penalver seems to be listed at short every game? I thought he was viewed as a guy who would get PT at short. Oh, one final question, if I might - how did Starling Peralta's velocity and command look?

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:28 am

Submitted by toonsterwu on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 12:36am. Hope you are having fun watching the future. Quick Question on Marco Hernandez - BA's write up on him for their AZL list said plus speed and plus arm (along with good range at short). On paper, that seems to suggest potential plus defense at short. That said, I recall, at some point (can't seem to find it right now), you had questions about his arm and thought that he might end up at 2nd base. I'm just curious about your take on BA's write-up. Also, what's your take on Marco and Jeimer's power ceilings? And is there a reason Penalver seems to be listed at short every game? I thought he was viewed as a guy who would get PT at short. Oh, one final question, if I might - how did Starling Peralta's velocity and command look? ========================================== TOONSTER: Marco Hernandez does not have a plus-arm. Arismendy Alcantara and Junior Lake have plus-arms (though not always accurate), and Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro have stronger arms, too. Hernandez bounces throws to 1st base from the 5.5 hole. He doesn't have to make that long throw from 2nd base, and he has good range, and he's a good fielder, so he should be a very good 2B. I would compare him to Logan Watkins in that respect. He can play SS, and if he hits a lot and you need a SS he can play there, but ideally he would play 2B. As for his HR power potential versus Candelario, both drive the ball hitting LH and punch the ball RH. While both show loft-power LH, Candelario has a bigger frame and should be able to eventually become a significant HR hitter from the left-side. As I mentioned last week, Candelario hasn't shown the plate discipline or patience I expected after seeing his walk total from the DSL. He has been more of a hacker so far, but while I can't say this for sure, I suspect it has to do with the Cubs probably viewing Candelario as a future middle-of-the-order guy and wanting him to be more aggressive hitting strikes, and he hasn't quite figured out what that means, so he just swings at everyting. (BTW, the guy who is REALLY patient is Garrett Schlecht). Carlos Penalver is a flashy SS with enough arm to play there (a "true" SS), but he has been playing more (or as much) 2B & 3B as SS at Instructs because Javier Baez ALWAYS plays SS when he is in the lineup (and is not the DH). And Danny Lockhart is a very good defensive SS, too. But Penalver looks just so much more comfortable at SS than at either 2B or 3B. He looks like he's got that Venezuelan Aparicio-Concepcion-Guillen thing going where "I just want to play SS and don't ask me to play anywhere else." Starling Peralta struggled with his control yesterday. The problem with pitchers at Instructs is a lot of them are learning a new pitch or a different way to throw a pitch or a different arm slot or their throwing mechanics are being revamped, so they struggole in the process and get less than ideal results. That appears to be the case with Peralta right now.

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:32 am

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 6:21am. Thanks PHIL. Was wondering about you feelings on the younger Dunston? ================================== E-MAN: Dunston had his best game offensively in his first pro game and he has struggled since. He is in a slump right now, and has been really showing his frustration both verbally and with his actions. He is a more-patient hitter than his dad, but he runs the bases very aggressively. His defense in CF is VERY good. He has plus-range and takes good routes, and he has a strong arm. He appears to have been well-coached in the fundamentals of baseball.

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:05 am

Hey AZ Phil, Thanks for these writeups! Quick question: Do you think Zeke DeVoss has a future as a full-time Left Fielder, or is his value likely tied up in the possibility of him sticking in CF? Thanks!

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:37 am

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 7:05am. Hey AZ Phil, Thanks for these writeups! Quick question: Do you think Zeke DeVoss has a future as a full-time Left Fielder, or is his value likely tied up in the possibility of him sticking in CF? Thanks! ======================================= CHARLIE: If DeVoss can maintain a high OBP by walking a lot and if he can steal bases at a high pe4rcentage, he could be an everyday lead-off hitter. And then he could play either LF or CF (as needed). However, B. Jackson, Ha, Szczur, Easterling, Chen, Na, and Dunston are all better defensive CF. Right now DeVoss reminds me a lot of Dwaine Bacon. If I had to predict where DeVoss will be on Opening Day 2012, I would say he will be the lead-off hitter and LF at Peoria (figuring Pin-Chieh Chen will play CF and bat #2 and Reggie Golden will play RF and hit somewhere 4-5-6).

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:52 am

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 9:45am. Sorry, but I refuse to believe anyone named their child Dwaine. Hopefully DeVoss hits a little more than that guy you just made up. What do you think about Easterling's plate approach so far? He was marked by us Hendry haters as a hackastic football player when we drafted him, but I noticed he did take a few walks. Seems like Peoria was pretty agrresive place for him to be. ================================================ REAL NEAL: Taiwan Easterling is an aggressive player in all facets of his game. An aggressive fielder who lays his body out to make a play, an aggressive base-runner who is always looking to take an extra base, and an aggressive hitter who doesn't have a lot of patience. One thing Easterling probably has to do to ultimately be successful is hit HR and lots of doubles and triples. Because he is NOT a lead-off hitter. I suspect Easterling will begin the 2012 season at Daytona, playing LF (and some CF when Szczur is the DH) and hitting maybe 6th.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:27 pm

with Athletics Nation, talks about Moneyball http://www.athleticsnation.com/2011/10/6/2469605/oakland-as-gm-billy-be… Yeah. I'm not sure that would be the right word, but the feel of the movie, the feel of the clubhouse, the feel of the meetings, the feel of the conversations you have, is probably the most general way I could say it. I thought they did a good job of doing that. And listen, they're making a movie and I thought they did a good job of taking the subject matter that you mentioned and turning it into something that was entertaining and thoughtful. I finally saw it last night, from a moviemaking standpoint, some really great editing and storytelling. The last 20 minutes from winning the 20th game on are absolutely fantastic. From a truth telling standpoint, there's some eye rollers, but you have to expect that coming in. I also have no fucking clue what Keith Law was talking about in regards to Carlos Pena's character "as a sullen Latino player". Dude says 5 words in the movie when he's traded and none of it comes of as anything other than, that's how the business goes.

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Submitted by George Altman on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:46 pm

Years ago, I met the real Pappy Boyington at the Oshkosh, WI Airshow/Fly-in. The TV show Baa Baa Black Sheep was on still or in re-runs. I asked him how realistic the show was. He stared at me for a second, signed his book for me, and then said in a deadpan voice, "You know, they weren't making a documentary." That experience always stuck with me when I'm watching a TV show or movie "based on real life events". I liked the movie Moneyball.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:36 pm

The Cubs don't have to ask permission to talk to Andrew Friedman, right? In his blog yesterday, Bruce Miles cited an article in the St. Petersburg Times quoting an obviously demoralized team owner Stuart Sternberg following the Rays' ALDS loss. "Eventually, major-league baseball is going to vaporize this team," etc. Miles calls this "pretty powerful stuff," and says it's relevant to the Cubs' search for a GM. I think that's absolutely right. How can everybody in management be happy as clams down there if the team is dying? Sternberg may not be able to get his hands on another team but the other people, including Friedman, can get a job. The Cubs may not have won since 1908 but they have another 100 years to try.

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Submitted by garsky on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:33 pm

I just read The Extra 2% -- a decent read, by the way -- and Friedman approached building a winner like a Wall Streeter: Take a long-term view; improve incrementally and continuously; and don't be afraid to admit a mistake and move on. He put a ton of money into development -- including facilities and scouting -- and used statistical analysis extensively. He's Ricketts' wet dream, but as a friend of Sternberg's, he's probably not going to move on.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:04 pm

heh @bigleaguestew 'Duk Ryne Sandberg just looked at Robin Ventura's coaching experience and went into a corner to cry.

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Submitted by crunch on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:58 pm

heard...it's just well, robin's been out of a mlb clubhouse for quite a while. it's just a "woah" pick. i was kinda shocked at k.gibson getting a managerial gig...then again i was shocked that k.gibson even wanted to be a coach. though he's been a part of some great baseball postseason history (twice, at least) he was known as being a guy who would rather be playing football. he did, though, have so much respect for playing hard and playing it right. r.ventura never even wanted to coach...now he's back to lead a dugout. i wonder what he has that put him up at the top of the candidates...hell, or even on the list...

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:56 pm

gammons on theo situation on mlb network: "I don't think he even knows" ...did mention that he didn't think theo would stick around in BOS after his contract runs out after 2012, though. ...also he's supposedly "not money driven at all."

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:46 pm

Phil: Tell us more about Golden and Vogelbach, they seem to always appear in your writeups. Two geniune power hitters in the Cubs system, at the same time and at the same level, when's the last time that happened? I mean, based on your descriptions of prodigious blasts and their apparent HR frequency, it sure seems like these two have 30+ HR potential each. Which would be nice.

Recent comments

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • 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 lower 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?

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