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

Baez Hits for the Cycle at Diablo

Javier Baez hit for the cycle and drove-in all five Cub runs with a two-run triple and a three-run home run, but the Angels rallied for five runs in the middle-three innings to edge the Cubs 6-5, in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Diablo Park Field #3 in Tempe, AZ.

In addition to his big day at the plate, Baez also stole a base (3rd base following his double) and made the defensive Play of the Day, going deep into the hole to backhand a grounder headed for LF, and then nailing the out with a leap and an on-the-money throw to 1st.

In his first four Extended Spring Training games, Baez is 9-15 with three three-run home runs, three triples, two doubles, and a single, and in his last game prior to the start of Extended Spring Training, Baez clubbed a two-run HR off Paul Maholm in an intrasquad game at Fitch Park.

Today's game was extended an extra inning so that all of the Cubs and Angels pitchers who were scheduled to throw today could get their work.

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Shawon Dunston, Jr, LF: 1-2 (K, 2B, R)
1b. Jeffrey Baez, PH-LF: 0-1 (6-3)
1c. Dong-Yub Kim, LF: 0-2 (F-8, 5-3)
2. Gioskar Amaya, 2B-DH: 2-4 (BB, 1B, K, 1B, P-4, 2 R)
3. Yasiel Balaguert, RF: 0-4 (BB, F-9, 6-3, K, K, R)
4. Javier Baez, SS: 4-5 (3B, HR, 2B, 1B, K, R, 5 RBI, SB)
5. Rock Shoulders, 1B: 0-2 (BB, 4-3, BB, K)
6. Trey Martin, CF: 1-4 (K, 1B, P-4, 3-1)
7. Neftali Rosario, DH-C: 0-4 (P-4, K, 5-3, F-9)
8. Jair Bogaerts, 3B: 1-4 (6-3, K, K, 1B)
9. Yaniel Cabezas, C-DH: 3-4 (F-8, 1B, 1B, 1B)
10. Brian Inoa, DH-2B: 0-4 (K, K, 5-3, K)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Tayler Scott: 2.1, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 51 pitches (25 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
2. David Henrie: 2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R (4 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 37 pitches (26 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
3. Brian Smith: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 33 pitches (19 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
4. Carlos Martinez: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 27 pitches (19 strikes), 5/1 GO/FO
5. Charles Thomas: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 21 pitches (13 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO

CUBS ERRORS: 1
SS Javier Baez - E-6 (errant throw allowed batter to reach base safely)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Yaniel Cabezas: 2-2 CS

CUBS OUTFIELD ASSISTS:
CF Trey Martin - threw out batter-runner 8-3 after batter singled to CF and then took too wide of a turn around 1st base

ATTENDANCE: 8

WEATHER: Sunny and a bit breezy at times with temperatures in the 70’s

Comments

does baez still do that weird semi-double-clutch before throwing thing? a lot of his scouting video showed some weird throwing action.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Mon, 04/16/2012 - 4:12pm — crunch does baez still do that weird semi-double-clutch before throwing thing? a lot of his scouting video showed some weird throwing action. ========================================= CRUNCH: Sometimes he takes too much time to make the throw (like the E-6 today) and then doesn't make a strong throw when he does let it go, and that might give the impression that he's double-clutching.

Phil, Has Javy Baez been the best player on the field you've seen (any team)? Give us a general comp for his hitting, please. I've heard Gary Sheffield like bat speed and power. Similar build, too. Did you see where Zapata had a nice debut for Peoria? Just let the kids play every year. He'll probably flop like most do, but we Cubs fans live off the hope of a player. Play the young ones. Also, did anyone notice in a rubber match with the Cardinals, early in the year, we rested 4 of our top 6 hitters. I understand resting guys before a day off to give them two days off, but I didn't like giving St. Louis our weakest lineup in a series finale. Dale needs to save that stuff for the Pirates (we can't beat them anyway).

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

Mon, 04/16/2012 - 4:36pm — Childersb3 Phil, Has Javy Baez been the best player on the field you've seen (any team)? Give us a general comp for his hitting, please. I've heard Gary Sheffield like bat speed and power. Similar build, too. ================================= CHILDERS: Javier Baez is the best player out here that I've seen. If there's another one as good or better, I'd like to see him. I guess Gary Sheffield would be as good a comp as any. Baez absoluterly crushes the ball. BTW, in addition to his three EXST HR, he also just missed with a couple of others. For example, his double today hit the 422 sign in dead center. (A lot of these ball parks are huge).

Campana 8, Jackson 7, Gonzalez 3, Valbuena 6, Castillo 2, Cardenas 4, Sappelt 9, Vitters 0, Amazega 5, Coleman starting McNutt goes for Tennessee, awaiting starters #Cubs lineup: Szczur- CF, Torreyes- 2B, Perez- DH, Rohan- 3B, Jones- 1B, Alcantara- SS, Silva- LF, Bonne- RF, Burruel- C...Jokisch- P Chiefs Monday lineup: DeVoss 4, Darvill 5, Lopez 2, Cuneo 3, Hoilman DH, Easterling 8, Hernandez 6, Gonzalez 9, Zapata 7, Jensen 1

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Amezaga and Campana both reach with 1 out on errors by the 3bman, Campana steals 2B, then Jackson BB's. After a sac fly scores Amezaga, Campana and Jackson pull off a double steal and Campana scores on the throwing error. 2 runs, 0 hits that inning for Iowa. McNutt through 4 with just a run allowed on 3 K and 1 BB. Jokisch goes 6 IP, 4 ER, 7 K, 3 BB and gets the loss vs. Toronto's stacked affiliate Peoria up 3-1, R. Cuneo with a HR

Phil - do you know the penalty under the new labor agreement for going over the "pot of money" available for signing draft choices this year?

[ ]

In reply to by DavidP

Mon, 04/16/2012 - 7:19pm — DavidP Phil - do you know the penalty under the new labor agreement for going over the "pot of money" available for signing draft choices this year? ========================================= DAVID P: A club's "Signing Bonus Pool" is the aggregate $$$ value of all of its draft pick slots in the first ten rounds (added together) of a given Rule 4 Draft (including compensation picks). The value of each draft slot in the first ten rounds (including supplemental rounds) is determined by the MLB Commissioner prior to each Rule 4 Draft. The pre-assigned $$$ value of any slot in the first ten rounds is subtracted from a club's Signing Bonus Pool if the club fails to sign the player selected with that pick. A bonus paid to a player selected in any round below Round 10 (rounds 11-40) is exempt from the Signing Bonus Pool limit as long as the bonus is less than $100,000. If the bonus is $100K or more, it is applied to the club's Signing Bonus Pool. PENALTIES: If a club spends 0-5% over club's Signing Bonus Pool - penalty is 75% tax on overage. If a club spends 5-10% over club's Signing Bonus Pool - penalty is 75% tax on overage and loss of 2013 1st round pick. If a club spends 10-15% over club's Signing Bonus Pool - penalty is 100% tax on overage and loss of 2013 1st and 2nd round picks. If a club spends 15%+ over club's Signing Bonus Pool - penalty is 100% tax on overage and loss of 2013 & 2014 1st round picks.

AZ PHIL: It is great that there seems to be some actual talent coming into the fold recently with respect to the position players. However, has anyone on the mound knocked your socks off this spring? In a Cub uniform, that is.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Mon, 04/16/2012 - 7:26pm — The E-Man AZ PHIL: It is great that there seems to be some actual talent coming into the fold recently with respect to the position players. However, has anyone on the mound knocked your socks off this spring? In a Cub uniform, that is. ================================= E-MAN: At Extended Spring Training, Rob Whitenack looks to be coming back nicely from his June 2011 TJS. Once he gets his pitch count up, he should be back with Tennessee. He is a very good SP prospect. And Gerardo Concepcion had a solid first start a week ago at Maryvale vs MIL, before getting cuffed around a bit in his second start last Saturday vs OAK. At Minor League Camp last month I was most impresssed by LHP Kyler Burke, RHP Ben Wells, RHP P. J. Francescon, RHP Yao-Lin Wang, and RHP Michael Jensen (all ended up at Peoria), RHP Tony Zych (the closer at Daytona), RHP Dallas Beeler (rotation starter at Tennessee) and LHP Jeffry Antigua (#1 lefty reliever at Tennessee), and LHP Chris Rusin (rotation starter at Iowa). The thing to remember about Kyler Burke is that he is eligible to be an MLB Rule 55 minor league free-agent (so-called 6YFA) after this season, so it's not a matter of taking a chance that he could get selected in the December 2012 Rule 5 Draft if he is not added to the 40-man roster after the season. He can just walk away. So unless he implodes or suffers a career-threatening injury sometime prior to the close of the 2012 season, Burke MUST be added to the Cubs 40-man roster no later than 5 PM on the 5th day following the conclusion of the World Series. Again, it's NOT a matter of adding him to the 40-man roster so that he won't get selected in the next Ruile 5 Draft. It's because he can be a free-agent.

Thanks for this report, Phil. When I read it, I had an unfamiliar feeling. I think it's a prospect boner. Should I be using a cream or a balm or something?

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?