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, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* 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
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Angels Show Baez-less Cubs No Respect

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Hank Conger blasted a solo home run and an RBI double, Zach Borenstein hammered a three-run HR, and Mike Sodders cracked a three-run double, leading the Angels to a 17-1 Memorial Day thrashing of the Cubs this morning at Diablo Park Field #3 in Tempe, AZ.

Shawon Dunston Jr belted a home run leading off the game, and that was the only Cub run of the day.

19-year old RHP Tayler Scott (Cubs 2011 5th round draft pick out of Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, AZ) had another rough start today, allowing nine runs (six earned) on six hits (including three doubles, a triple, and a home run) and two walks in 3.1 IP. He also commited a costly throwing error in a four-run Angel 4th. In his previous start last Wednesday, the young South Africa native surrendered two runs (both earned) on five hits (including four doubles) and a walk in 3.0 IP.

In EXST Cubs roster news, SS Javier Baez (Cubs 2011 1st round draft pick) has been promoted to Peoria after hitting 330/351/725 in 27 Cactus League Extended Spring Training games (94 PA), with 8 HR & 28 RBI, six doubles, three triples, 11 SB (one CS), one walk, two HBP, and 23 K. He also made eight errors.

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Shawon Dunston Jr, DH #1: 2-3 (HR, 3-1, 1B, BB, R, RBI)
2. Gioskar Amaya, 2B: 1-4 (5-3, 1B, 6-4 FC, 5-4 FC, SB)
3a. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 1-3 (6-3, 1B, F-7)
3b. Danny Lockhart, 3B: 0-1 (4-3)
4a. Xavier Batista, RF: 0-2 (K, K)
4b. Kevin Encarnacion, RF: 0-2 (K, E-6)
5. Dustin Geiger, DH #2: 0-4 (K, K, 4-3, 4-6-3 DP)
6. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 1-2 (1B, 1-3, HBP)
7. Trey Martin, CF: 0-3 (F-8, P-6, L-9)
8. Carlos Penalver, SS: 0-3 (5-3, F-7, F-8)
9a. Neftali Rosario, C: 1-2 (K, 1B)
9b. Justin Marra, C: 0-1 (K)
10. Trevor Gretzky, LF: 1-3 (1B, 3-6 FC, P-4, PO)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Tayler Scott: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 9 R (6 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 62 pitches (33 strikes), 6/2 GO/FO
2. Arturo Maltos-Garcia: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, 25 pitches (15 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO
3. Alvido Jimenez: 1.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R (5 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 28 pitches (13 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO
4. Luis Villalba: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 34 pitches (19 strikes), 0/6 GO/FO
5. Matt Spencer: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 9 pitches (5 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO

CUBS ERRORS: 4
1. 1B Dan Vogelbach - E-3 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely – eventually scored unearned run)
2. P Tayler Scott - E-1 (errant throw on attempted 1-2 FC with bases loaded allowed two runs to score)
3. SS Carlos Penalver - E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely – eventually scored unearned run)
4. 3B Danny Lockhart - E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely – eventually scored unearned run)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Neftali Rosario: 0-1 CS
Justin Marra: 0-1 CS, 1 PB

ATTENDANCE: 11

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 80’s

Tags
EXST Cubs
Cubs Extended Spring Training
Tayler Scott
Javier Baez
Shawon Dunston Jr

Comments

Submitted by Childersb3 on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 05:41 pm

Phil, What's AMG got as a pitcher? It's been almost two years since he's pitched, right? And, do any catchers out there show any promise? Who's your favorite in the system? I'm hoping that Zunino of UF slips to 6th in the draft (highly unlikely I know).

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 05:28 pm

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 3:41pm — Childersb3 Phil, What's AMG got as a pitcher? It's been almost two years since he's pitched, right? And, do any catchers out there show any promise? Who's your favorite in the system? I'm hoping that Zunino of UF slips to 6th in the draft (highly unlikely I know). ===================================== CHILDERS: RHP Arturo Maltos-Garcia throws a low-90's fastball that he uses to set-up his curve (which is his strikeout pitch). He looks like a reliever type (6'1, two-pitch pitcher), but he had TJS last July (he last pitched in a JUCO Tournament game in Casa Grande, AZ, exactly one year ago) and he only began throwing in EXST games about three weeks ago, so he hasn't been stretched-out yet. As for catchers below W. Castillo and Clevenger, there isn't much. Daytona Cubs switch-hitting Micah Gibbs is a good defensive catcher (excellent receiving skills but only a so-so-arm) who has a very slow bat with a loft swing (LH) and a punch-stroke (RH). He does walk a lot, though. Peoria's #1 catcher is Rafael Lopez, an ex-3B who was converted to catcher when he transferred to Florida State from Indian River CC in 2009. (He was at Boston College before that). He has OK defensive skills (especially for someone who hasn't been a catcher very long). He is a LH hitter with a plus-bat and occassional HR power. He's also a bit old (24). He was drafted by the Cubs as a 5th year college senior. EXST Cubs Wilson Contreras is likely headed for Boise. He was a catcher on a top amateur team in Venezuela prior to signing with the Cubs in 2009 ($850K bonus), but the Cubs moved him to 3B immediately after they signed him. Then he received a 50-game PED suspension prior to the 2010 season. He struggled defensively at 3B and at 1B last season at Boise, and was moved back to catcher this year. And he really seems to like it. Most guys who are moved to catcher struggle with the bat, but not Contreras. He actually has hit better as a catcher than he did as a third-baseman. He also runs well for a catcher. But we'll have to see how he fares at Boise. (BTW, he is a below-average defensive catcher. I can see why he was moved to 3B). Neftali Rosario (Cubs 2011 6th round draft pick) is a younger version of Welington Castillo, but much more raw (if that's possible). Rosario has two plus-tools... HR power and arm strength. That's it. Otherwise he is mostly lost at sea. He swings at everything, and may even be a less-patient hitter than Javier Baez. He really needs to work on his receiving skills, too. So if Mike Zunino is there when the Cubs make their selection, there is no reason not to take him. Unless the Cubs are targeting a pitcher with their #1 pick.

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 05:13 pm

I think you might have overlooked an interesting catcher, Phil. Taylor Davis was called up to Daytona last Friday. He played Saturday and had a double in three at-bats. (Daytona did not play Sunday or Monday, so for all we know Davis might be their starting catcher, for the time being, in place of Gibbs.) Davis had a .902 OPS at Peoria in 76 PAs leading up to his promotion. He also nailed 6 of 14 would-be base stealers. Apart from his recent success, all I know about Davis is what you wrote in early April:
He was highly-regarded enough after the 2010 season that he was on the Johnny Bench Watch List going into the 2011 season (his junior year) at Morehead State, and then despite finishing in the Top 10 in SLG % among D-1 players (one slot ahead of Cubs 19th round draft pick Paul Hoilman, BTW), he was not drafted. The Cubs signed a NDFA catcher out of the U. of Santa Clara named Patrick Terry after the June draft, but his contract was subsequently voided, and so they offered Davis a contract and he accepted it, and he spent the summer with the AZL Cubs in Mesa. Davis began Minor League Camp last month with the Tennessee squad, then got moved down to Daytona and finally to Boise/Mesa, before getting a last minute reprieve and a spot on the Peoria Opening Day roster.

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 05:20 pm

It will be interesting to see how Taylor Davis performs at Daytona and if he actually takes playing time away from Micah Gibbs behind the plate there. My guess is he won't, although he might get a lot of starts at DH if he swings a hot bat. What was kind of obvious with Taylor Davis last season at AZL Cubs and at Minor League Camp this past March is that he is an offensive-first catcher whose receiving skills are below-average, and although he had a good CS % at Peoria, the Cubs Player Development people value a catcher's receiving skills and handling of the pitching staff over hitting or CS%, which is why offensively-challenged guys like Michael Brenly and Micah Gibbs get regular playing time.

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 05:15 pm

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 6:03pm — DavidP Phil - I notice that you didn't mention Luis Flores. Is that because he isn't worth mentioning, and if so, did his suspension make much difference. ==================================== DAVID P: Luis Flores would be a better prospect if it wasn't for his history. He got nailed for a 50-game PED suspension by MLB last year, and he was suspended twice by the Cubs prior to that for something different (not as significant). If Flores can stay clean for the rest of this year and maybe score a slot in the AFL or in a Latin Winter League post-2012 and do well there, then that would shed a new light on his future. But otherwise he is just one misstep away from getting released. You might say he is on a "short leash."

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 05:05 pm

3sb for billy hamilton (CIN, A+) today. that's 52sb in 47 games (11cs). if he can keep up the hitting/getting on base (near .400 ob%, currently) we might have the first legit 100+sb guy to roll into the bigs in a few decades.

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 05:37 pm

Tue, 05/29/2012 - 5:48am — Justin Tyme What's the story on Matt Spencer? Is he just dominating younger players or is he a realistic prospect on the mound at a higher level? ========================================= JUSTIN T: Matt Spencer was a two way player (OF/LHP) in HS and at the University of North Carolina, but was used exclusively as an OF after he transferred to Arizona State. He was also drafted as an OF by the Phillies and played OF & 1B on his way up through the minors with the Phillies, A's, and Cubs, before the Cubs asked him if he wanted to try pitching again (full-time) after last season. He agreed and went to AZ Instructs post-2011, where he was throwing 98 MPH gas with zero command and no secondary stuff. He continued to struggle with command at Minor League Camp this past March, before just recently returning to game action at Extended Spring Training. So far he looks great. The command still needs work, but he has generally been throwing both his fastball and his breaking ball for strikes. Spencer is 26 and will be a minor league FA post-2013, so the Cubs need to find out ASAP if he has a future on the mound as a lefty reliever. So don't be surprised if he gets jumped quickly through the system. One thing to keep in mind is that lefty relievers can be found anywhere (HS coach at a tryout camp like Jim Morris in The Rookie, or in Independent ball as happened with George Sherrill and Joe Thatcher). No question Matt Spencer could be dominating. A 6'5 250+ dude with a 98 MPH fastball and a reputation for not being able to control it would scare anybody.

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    The issue is the Cubs are 11-7 and have been on the road for 12 of those 18.  We should be at least 13-5, maybe 14-4. Jed isn't feeling any pressure to play anyone he doesn't see fit.
    But Canario on the bench, Morel not at 3B for Madrigal and Wisdom in RF wasn't what I thought would happen in this series.
    I was hoping for Morel at 3B, Canario in RF, Wisdom at DH and Madrigal as a pinch hitter or late replacement.
    Maybe Madrigal starts 1 game against the three LHSP for Miami.
    I'm thinking Canario goes back to Iowa on Sunday night for Mastrobuoni after the Miami LHers are gone.
    Canario needs ABs in Iowa and not bench time in MLB.
    With Seiya out for a while Wisdom is safe unless his SOs are just overwhelmingly bad.

    My real issue with the lineup isn't Madrigal. I'm not a fan, but I've given up on that one.
    It's Tauchman getting a large number of ABs as the de factor DH and everyday player.
    I didn't realize that was going to be the case.
    We need a better LH DH. PCA or ONKC need to force the issue in about a month.
    But, even if they do so, Jed doesn't have to change anything if the Cubs stay a few over .500!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally depends on the team and the player involved. If your team’s philosophy is to pay huge dollars to bet on the future performance of past stars in order to win championships then, yes, all of the factors you mentioned are important.

    If on the other hand, if the team’s primary focus is to identify and develop future stars in an effort to win a championship, and you’re a young player looking to establish yourself as a star, that’s a fit too. Otherwise your buried within your own organization.

    Your comment about bringing up Canario for the purposes of sitting him illustrates perfectly the dangers of rewarding a non-performing, highly paid player over a hungry young prospect, like Canario, who is perpetually without a roster spot except as an insurance call up, but too good to trade. Totally disincentivizing the performance of the prospect and likely diminishing it.

    Sticking it to your prospects and providing lousy baseball to your fans, the consumers and source of revenue for your sport, solely so that the next free agent gamble finds your team to be a comfortable landing spot even if he sucks? I suppose  that makes sense to some teams but it’s definitely not the way I want to see my team run.

    Once again, DJL, our differences in philosophy emerge!

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s just kinda how it works though, for every team. No team plays their best guys all the time. No team is comprising of their best 26 even removing injuries.

    When baseball became a business, like REALLY a business, it became important to keep some of the vets happy, which in turn keeps agents happy and keeps the team with a good reputation among players and agents. No one wants to play for a team that has a bad reputation in the same way no one wants to work for a company that has a bad rep.

    Don’t get me wrong, I hate it too. But there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

    On that topic, I find it silly the Cubs brought up Canario to sit as much as he has. He’s going to get Velazquez’d, and it’s a shame.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Of course, McKinstry runs circles around $25 million man Javier Baez on that Tigers team. Guess who gets more playing time?

    But I digress…

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Seems like Jed was trying to corner the market on mediocre infielders with last names starting with "M" in acquiring Madrigal, Mastroboney and Zach McKinstry.  

     

    At least he hasn't given any of them a Bote-esque extension.  

  • Childersb3 (view)

    AZ Phil:
    Rookie ball (ACL) starts on May 4th. Do yo think Ramon and Rosario (maybe Delgado) stay in Mesa for the month of May, then go to MB if all goes "solid"?
     

  • crunch (view)

    masterboney is a luxury on a team that has multiple, capable options for 2nd, SS, and 3rd without him around.  i don't hate the guy, but if madrigal is sticking around then masterboney is expendable.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I THINK I agree with that decision. They committed to Wicks as a starter and, while he hasn’t been stellar I don’t think he’s been bad enough to undo that commitment.

    That said, Wesneski’s performance last night dictates he be the next righty up.

    Quite the dilemma. They have many good options, particularly in relief, but not many great ones. And complicating the situation is that the pitchers being paid the most are by and large performing the worst - or in Taillon’s case, at least to this point, not at all.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Wesneski and Mastrobuoni to Iowa

    Taillon and Wisdom up

    Wesneski can't pitch for a couple of days after the 4 IP from last night. But Jed picked Wicks over Wesneski.

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