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

Trey & Whitey Toast the Brew Crew

Trey Martin belted a bases-loaded triple and Kevin Encarnacion crushed a two-run triple to highlight a nine-run 3rd, Jeimer Candelario doubled twice, walked, and drove-in a run, and Rob Whitenack threw six strong innings, allowing one run (unearned) on three hits (all singles), with no walks and seven strikeouts, to help the Cubs cruise past the Brewers 12-1 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Maryvale Baseball Complex Field #7 (AKA “Paul Molitor Field”) in Phoenix, AZ.

The nine-run Cub 3rd lasted about 30 minutes and was unusual for an Extended Spring Training game because the opposing manager will usually stop the inning (“ROLL IT!”) before it can get that far. But the Brewers made a pitching change mid-inning, so the scoring continued unabated.

Trailing 1-0 after two innings of play, Trey Martin led-off the top of the 3rd by drawing a walk. Wilfredo Petit then bounced a chopper to the first baseman, who made an erant throw to 2nd atempting to force Martin. Kevin Encarnacion followed Petit and made the Brew Crew pay for the error, smashing a triple off the LF fence to drive-in Martin and Petit. Encarnacion scored on an Eduardo Gonzalez ground ball RBI single through the box, and then Gonzalez stole 2nd and scored when Carlos Penalver blooped an RBI double into short CF. Jeimer Candelario ripped an RBI double into the RF corner to plate Penalver, and Xavier Batista was hit by a pitch and Wilson Contreras reached base on an E-6 to load the bases, still with no outs. After Neftali Rosario struck out and Danny Lockhart bounced into a 3-2 FC at home, Trey Martin unloaded the biggest hit of the inning, a bases-clearing two-out three-run triple over the centerfielder’s head to make the score 8-1. Martin scored the 9th run of the inning on a WP a moment later, his second run scored in the inning.

Rob Whitenack was a strike-throwing machine today (56 pitches - 45 strikes), and when the Brewers did put a bat on the ball, they mostly beat ground balls into the dirt (8/3 GO/FO).

Rehabbing from June 2011 TJS, Whitenack has been outstanding so far at EXST:
0.64 ERA
0.75 WHIP
.196 Opp BA
73% GO
73% strikes
28.0 IP, 19 H, 4 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 26 K, 2 HBP, 1 HR, 2 GIDP

I doubt that "Whitey" will be staying down here much longer.

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Eduardo Gonzalez, LF: 2-3 (K, 1B, 1B, BB, R, RBI, SB)
1b. Garrett Schlecht, LF: 1-1 (2B, R)
2. Carlos Penalver, SS: 1-5 (6-3, 2B, F-9, F-9, K, R, RBI)
3a. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 2-3 (2B, 2B, BB, F-9, RBI)
3b. Jair Bogaerts, 3B: 0-1 (E-5)
4a. Xavier Batista, 1B-DH: 0-2 (K, HBP, BB, K, R)
4b. SLOT WAS SKIPPED LAST TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
5a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST THREE TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
5b. Trevor Gretzky, 1B: 0-2 (L-5, E-5)
6. Wilson Contreras, DH #1: 1-5 (6-3, E-6, K, 1B, 4-3, 2 R)
7. Neftali Rosario, DH-C: 1-5 (F-8, K, K, 2B, 4-3)
8. Danny Lockhart, 2B: 0-5 (4-3, 3-2 FC, 4-3, 3-1, F-8, R, RBI)
9. Trey Martin, CF: 1-4 (BB, 3B, K, K, F-9, 2 R, 3 RBI)
10. Wilfredo Petit, C-DH: 0-2 (FC, BB, 4-3, HBP, 2 R)
11. Kevin Encarnacion, RF: 1-3 (3B, HBP, 4-3, F-7, R, 2 RBI)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Rob Whitenack: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 7 K, 2 HBP, 1 GIDP, 56 pitches (45 strikes), 8/3 GO/FO
2. Brian Smith: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 1 PO, 13 pitches (8 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO
3. Matt Spencer: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 21 pitches (15 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO
4. Carlos Martinez: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 14 pitches (7 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO

CUBS ERRORS: 1
2B Danny Lockhart - E-4 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely – eventually scored unearned run)

ATTENDANCE: 6

WEATHER: Sunny, hot, and a bit breezy, with temperatures 100+

Comments

Phil, Candelario's always 2nd or 3rd in the game wraps with a double or two. Is he still switch hitting? If so, how does look from both sides. Fielding at 3B? Emotional, quiet, etc?

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

Tue, 05/22/2012 - 6:23pm — Childersb3 Phil, Candelario's always 2nd or 3rd in the game wraps with a double or two. Is he still switch hitting? If so, how does look from both sides. Fielding at 3B? Emotional, quiet, etc? ===================================== CHILDERS: Jeimer Candelario is a much stronger hitter LH than RH. He really drives the ball left-handed. (He hit a HR onto the roof of the Angels clubhouse at Diablo Park LH last week). I would think he might consider giving up switch-hitting at some point, although it's not because he can't hit RH. It's just that he doesn't drive the ball with the same authority RH. He has improved a lot defensively at 3B during the course of EXST. He's not Gold Glove, but he has shown significant improvement. Some guys are coachable and some aren't. He is. Candelario is sort of the exact opposite of Javier Baez, who is VERY emotional on the field but doesn't say much. Candelario (or "Candy" as his teammates call him) doesn't show emotion but he is VERY talkative in the field. You can hear him chirpin' away, shouting encouragement to the pitcher and reminders to the other fielders. He speaks very good English (he grew up in New York City before moving to the Dominican Republic). He runs O. K. but isn't fast. He also isn't as patient a hitter as you might think he would be given his DSL walk numbers. He's not as hyper-aggressive at the plate as Javier Baez or Neftali Rosario, but he'll swing at the first good pitch he sees. Overall I would say (as of right now) that Jeimer Candelario is the #2 Cubs prospect at EXST, behind only Javier Baez.

another game, another short leash on the pitcher. he was having a great game outside of the 1st two batters of the game and a few deep counts.

I heard from toonsterwu over at BCB that Whitenack is heading to Daytona (which AZ Phil said during ST) and Cates is heading to EXST. Makes sense, Cates has had it rough in Daytona. I would like to see him back in the MW league for a few starts. He's only 22. He could take Francescon's spot in Peoria's rotation. They haven't really replaced that spot with a move, yet.

Re: Campana Saw a couple of interesting stats while at the game on Sunday. At the time, at least (and I think I got this right) Campana had the most sacrifice bunts in the NL and was tied for the most bunt hits in MLB. Found that interesting given the discussion of his lack of bunting skill.

Iowa Cubs playing early. B. Raley called up and has given up 2 runs in 2 innings. Clevenger playing, so doesn't look like he re-injured himself yesterday.

Says Hoyer: "Patience is the key driver in our decision making. Last year the situation was nearly identical — struggling offense and Rizzo putting up huge numbers in Tucson. Clearly I made the wrong decision in bringing him up too early. His development was not complete.''

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).