Cubs MLB Roster

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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

Amaya-zing Day for Gioskar at Talking Stick

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Gioskar Amaya hit for the cycle and drove-in five runs, as the Cubs edged the Rockies 6-5 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Dust Storm Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick east of Scottsdale, AZ.

Amaya reached base on a bad-hop single with one out in the top of the 1st inning, and laced a two-run triple in the 3rd, a three-run home run in the 5th, and a one-out double in the 8th.

The 19-year old Venezuelan is now hitting 291/406/417 in 27 Cactus League Extended Spring Training games (96 PA), with a team-leading 16 walks. He also has eight stolen bases (second only to Javier Baez), with 0 CS. (He hit 377/417/510 in 52 games and 227 PA with the AZL Cubs last season).

Amaya was a DH today, but his defense has shown marked improvement this season, possibly because he has been allowed to concentrate on just one position (2B) instead of being moved around the infield from game-to-game as he was last season. He has made only three errors so far at 2B, and has displayed decent range and arm.

He also has excelled in the #2 slot in the batting order.

On the EXST Cubs injury front, LHP Hunter Ackerman relieved starter Ian Dickson in the bottom of the 3rd, but left the game after throwing only one pitch. He appeared to strain something in his right side or hip.

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Shawon Dunston Jr, CF: 1-4 (F-9, 4-6 FC, 1B, K, 2 R)
2. Gioskar Amaya, DH #1: 4-4 (1B, 3B, HR, 2B, 2 R, 5 RBI)
3. Marco Hernandez, SS: 0-4 (L-5 DP, K, 3-1, P-3)
4. Wilson Contreras, C: 0-3 (5-3, BB, K, F-9)
5. Rock Shoulders, 1B: 2-4 (1B, 1B, 6-3, F-8, RBI)
6. Eduardo Gonzalez, LF: 1-3 (L-8, BB, F-8, 1B, SB, PO)
7. Brian Inoa, 2B: 1-4 (1B, K, F-9, F-9)
8. Dong-Yub Kim, DH #2: 0-4 (4-3, K, F-9, F-9)
9. Xavier Batista, RF: 1-3 (1B, 1-3, K, R)
10a. Jair Bogaerts, 3B: 1-2 (E-1, 2B, R)
10b. Dustin Geiger, 3B: 0-1 (5-3)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Ian Dickson: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 56 pitches (32 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
2. Hunter Ackerman: 0.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 pitch (0 strikes)
NOTE: Ackerman left game with injury after throwing one pitch
3. Rafael Diplan: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 31 pitches (22 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO
4. Bryce Shafer: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 24 pitches (18 strikes), 3/0 GO/FO
5. Pete Levitt: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 24 pitches (18 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO

CUBS ERRORS: 1
3B Jair Bogaerts - E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely - eventually scored unearned run)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Wilson Contreras: 1-1 CS

ATTENDANCE: 4

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90’s

Tags
EXST Cubs
Cubs Extended Spring Training
Hunter Ackerman
Gioskar Amaya

Comments

Submitted by Childersb3 on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 05:36 pm

Phil, Looking at the Chiefs Roster, Amaya really doesn't have a spot with DeVoss and Darvill there. But, does Darvill really need everyday playing time? Is he a potential late bloomer (only 20) or is he a LH Samson?

[ ]

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

Tue, 05/29/2012 - 3:36pm — Childersb3 Phil, Looking at the Chiefs Roster, Amaya really doesn't have a spot with DeVoss and Darvill there. But, does Darvill really need everyday playing time? Is he a potential late bloomer (only 20) or is he a LH Samson? ================================== CHILDERS: Wes Darvill spent the last two off-seasons at Camp Colvin (Camp Buss) trying to bulk up and develop some HR power (he has a big frame without much muscle), but until he does (and he is only 20), he probably does project as a LH version of Nate Samson. And although he handles SS passably and 2B very well, Darvill has made a ton of errors at 3B this season, so he might not be a true utility infielder (one who can handle 2B-SS-3B). One positive thing about Darvill is that he is a VERY selective and patient hitter, and another good thing about him is that he is good base-runner and base-stealer. I don't think Zeke DeVoss stays at 2B long-term. This is a lot like when Eric Patterson was coming up through the system and the Cubs insisted on playing him at 2B when he was clearly better-suited to play OF. I see DeVoss as a 2B-LF-CF-PR utility guy, and he could move to the OF at any time, especially if there is a reason to do it (like to make way for Amaya). BTW, when I saw DeVoss and Rubi Silva at Instructs post-2011 and both were getting reps at 2B, Silva clearly outplayed DeVoss at that position. DeVoss looked most-comfortable in LF. Amaya is a legitimate everyday 2B. I believe he will push his way up through the system at that position, and he could be the best 2B prospect down there right now. Amaya is a good DP partner with Javier Baez, too. They work really well together turning the DP. Not "Trammell-Whitaker" good yet, but they could be if they can stay together for a few years.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 05/30/2012 - 05:46 am

This is what I said about DeVoss (in its entirety): "I don't think Zeke DeVoss stays at 2B long-term. This is a lot like when Eric Patterson was coming up through the system and the Cubs insisted on playing him at 2B when he was clearly better-suited to play OF. I see DeVoss as a 2B-LF-CF-PR utility guy, and he could move to the OF at any time, especially if there is a reason to do it (like to make way for Amaya). BTW, when I saw DeVoss and Rubi Silva at Instructs post-2011 and both were getting reps at 2B, Silva clearly outplayed DeVoss at that position. DeVoss looked most-comfortable in LF."

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 05:41 pm

Tue, 05/29/2012 - 6:33pm — QuietMan AZ Phil, any thoughts on Marco Hernandez getting demoted? He had a very bad April. But was much much better in May. ====================================== Q-MAN: It's not fair to Marco Hernandez, but it's like this... Javier Baez is clearly such an extraordinary talent that wherever the Cubs believe he needs to be automatically means the shortstop who is there must be moved out of the way. So either the other shortstop at Peoria moves to another position, or he becomes a utility infielder, or he remains a starting shortstop and gets promoted or demoted. It is fairly clear that the Cubs want both Hernandez and Baez to play SS, but they both can't do that if they are at the same place at the same time. So either Hernandez moves up to Daytona or down to Boise. And as much as he may have improved in May, he is still not ready for Hi-A. Ergo, he must go to Boise. Baez gets to "cut the line." And if he dominates at Peoria like he did at Extended Spring Training, he'll cut the line again.

[ ]

Submitted by Cubster on Wed, 05/30/2012 - 05:23 am

Keith Law's most recent mock draft (2.0) has high school lefty Max Fried going to Cubs http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft/2012/story/_/id/7982412/mark-appel… Appel, Buxton, Zunino, Correa, Gausman, Fried then, Zimmer, Marrero, Almora
Fried is the only one of this draft's top three prep arms to make it through the spring unscathed, leaving him the most likely candidate to be the first high school arm off the board. He switched schools for his senior year because his old school, Montclair Prep, discontinued its baseball program, but didn't miss a beat despite the change. He'll pitch at 89-93 with little effort and very good life to his arm side (albeit less to his glove side). Hitters don't pick the ball up out of his hands, helping it play above his velocity. Fried's curveball, while not completely consistent, can show very sharp downward break in the 73-76 mph range, ocassionally getting slurvy up towards 77-78. He has great feel for his 81-83 mph changeup with deception from his arm speed and late run (harder than the usual fade on a changeup). Fried is an outstanding athlete with great body control and a repeatable delivery that gives him solid-average command today that should become more consistent as he matures; he's had a few outings this spring where he has had trouble throwing strikes, although that's the minority of his appearances, and he's usually a strike-thrower who's online to the plate. He has the projection left to add a grade of velocity, and with more consistency you can see a No. 2 starter with three above-average to plus pitches.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 05/30/2012 - 05:27 am

Wed, 05/30/2012 - 7:47am — Old and Blue Phil, I'm really encouraged by your reports on Baez. I can't think of a time you've used the phrase "such an extraordinary talent" in what are now quite a few years reading this blog. I remember you being impressed by Lee before he got traded, and Castro, but it seems to me Baez has impressed the hell out of you, even with his plate discipline issues. Is he somewhat like Vlad Guerrero, in that he can just hit the snot out of the ball no matter where it is thrown? =================================================== O&B: Javier Baez strikes out too much to be compared to Vlad. I would say Josh Vitters is more like Vlad. What I like most about Baez is his bat-speed. He hits rockets, and he has plus-HR power. Very unusual to see a 19-year old with that kind of bat-speed. He also is a good base stealer and a play-maker at SS. But he sometimes will try to make plays that aren't there. He tries to do too much, which is not unusual for a player with his cocky self-confidence. And he is hyper-aggressive in all phases of the game. He plays baseball like a football player. Sometimes that's good, and sometimes it's not so good. He's also a hard worker and will not accept losing. There are too many young players who don't think about winning. They think a lot about personal success, but not so much about team success. Baez doen't need a coach as much as he needs a mentor, somebody with talent like his who can communicate with him. I think that's what the Cubs have lacked over the years. Their best prospects (the ones with the most raw talent) are coached just like every other player in the system, when they actually aren't just like every other player in the system. And then some get sidetracked and eventually end up in the gutter. No excuse for that.

Submitted by springs on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 05:04 pm

SB and run scored. Perhaps the "plate discipline" was learned, they just moved him as soon as it he learned it!

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 05:38 pm

3 more SB tonight for billy hamilton...amazing. given that he's stolen 2+ in 5 out his last 6 games I guess it's not that amazing. 55sb in 48 games. near .400 ob%...wish he was a Cub...he's going to be very exciting when he gets on base in the bigs.

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Submitted by crunch on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 05:12 pm

we're talking about a pretty special player here, imo (and others). not only is he fast, but he's in a system that will let him attempt 100sb a year. he's also learning (and this year showing) he can bunt for a base hit. this wasn't in his game too much last season. he stole 103 last year and he'll probably pace 120+ this year, health pending. in highschool he wasn't even stealing bases too much (or switch hitting). he's very adept at a rather new skill. this guy was a d.deshields pet project in 2010, turning him into a base stealer and finding out they had something special...they had joe morgan around this spring working with him. just because you're really fast doesn't mean you're going to be a good base stealer (CPat). he's doing some crazy stuff with his skill...and he's spending this year putting in the practice to hone skills he started to realize 2 season ago. his contact is better, he can bunt with more accuracy for a hit, and his baserunning confidence is at a humble r.henderson level. the guy could hit .270/.330 avg/ob% and still manage around 100 steals the way he plays. ...all that's left is to get him the hell away from SS cuz that ain't pretty.

Recent comments

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • 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. 

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