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

Soler Wind Blows Two-Run Bomb

Dan Vogelbach ripped an RBI single through the 3.5 hole and Jorge Soler followed with a 420-ft two-run HR over the berm beyond the left-centerfield fence to highlight a three-run 4th, but the AZL Reds scored six runs over the final five innings and defeated the AZL Cubs 6-4 in Arizona League action tonight at HoHoKam Park in Mesa.

box score

Soler played RF for the entire game and batted four times, going 2-4.

He bounced-out 1-3 on a first-pitch one-hop comebacker to the mound with one out in the 2nd, mashed his HR on the first pitch he saw from LHP Wandy Peralta with two outs in the bottom of the 4th, reached base on a one-out single on a 1-2 pitch in the bottom of the 6th (a rocket bouncer that hit Reds third-baseman Tanner Rahier flush in the nose, knocking him out of the game) before eventually scoring the Cubs 4th run, and struck out (looking) on three pitches (a foul ball into the RF stands that broke his bat, followed by two called strikes) with one out and the tying run at 2nd in the bottom of the 8th.

Although he is not a fast runner, Soler did make an outstanding run-saving running backhanded catch in right-center in the top of the 5th. Earlier in the game he had looked a bit tentative going after a couple pop ups (both fell in front of him for hits).      

RHP Lendy Castillo got the start for the AZL Cubs and had another fine outing, throwing four shutout innings (51 pitches - 35 strikes, 4/3 GO/FO), and allowing just two hits (both singles) and no walks with five strikeouts.  

In his three rehab outings so far with the AZL Cubs, Castillo has thrown nine innings of shutout ball, allowing just five hits and one walk, with ten strikeouts.

Cubs 2012 27th round draft pick RHP Tyler Bremer (Baylor by way of UC - Davis and Yavapai JC) made his pro debut in tonight's game, throwing one inning (13 pitches - 8 strikes) and allowing a run on two hits. He didn't fool anybody (he was the pitcher who benefitted from the Soler run-saving catch).

RHP David Henrie was hit hard in his two innings of work, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits (including two doubles and an inside-the-park HR).

The inside-the-park HR resulted from Cubs CF Shawon Dunston Jr making an ill-advised diving attempt on a line drive to center leading off the top of the 6th. The ball bounded past him, and by the time LF Garrett Schlecht retrieved the ball in front of the CF Batter's Eye, Brent Peterson was crossing the plate standing up with his first career HR. (Dunston also had three singles in the game and scored a run). 

LHP Nathan Dorris (Cubs 2012 17th round pick out of SIU) allowed a run (unearned) on two hits in two innings of work, but what is notable is that he threw 90% strikes (20 pitches - 18 strikes, including the first 16 pitches he threw), after struggling to throw strikes in all of his previous outings.

Peoria 1B Ryan Cuneo (on the Chiefs DL since June 4th) has started a rehab assignment with the AZL Cubs. He was the DH tonight, going 0-2 (3-1 ground out and P-4) before being replaced by a PH in the bottom of the 6th.

Cuneo was the hitting star of Minor League Camp, before suffering a back strain that kept him from beating-out Richard Jones (who has since been released) for the Opening Day 1B job at Daytona. Then once he was ready to play again, he was assigned to Peoria.

Comments

From what I have seen so far, I would say Soler's bat speed is second only to Javier Baez among players in the Cubs system, and his power is right up there with Baez and Anthony Rizzo.

Javier Baez, SS, Cubs (Low-A Peoria) Baez went off again on Saturday, with a triple and his 10th home run of the year in just 45 games. Even with an 0-for-4 on Sunday, he's hitting .333/.388/.608 in his roughly two months of Midwest League action. That has led to some understandably excited Cubs fans wanting to move him up, but that's just not how it works. Baez still needs to refine his approach and improve his ability to recognize and hit breaking balls, but the decision isn't all about him. It's also about the fact that prospects don't develop in a vacuum. You might want to see Baez move up, but the Cubs have a shortstop they like at High-A in Arismendy Alcantara, and one at Double-A in Junior Lake. Both of them need at-bats too. The needs of a whole organization have to be considered before a prospect is promoted. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=17745

This is talking from a sports perspective (though i think Paterno is getting bashed more than the actual criminal) but why does the PSU football program need to be punished and Paterno's wins erased? They didn't cheat, they didn't pay players, they did nothing to gain an unfair competitive advantage and because 1 man abused children that is somehow the players and Paterno's fault? This has nothing do with football program and has nothing to do with Paterno's coaching or his record. Judge Paterno for what he should or should not have done, but destroying the football legacy and his legacy in football is a damn shame. One does not have anything to do with the other. NOTE: Not even remotely a PSU football fan (Goo Arizona Wildcats....yeah they suck). Just kinda don't think that vacating Paterno's wins is a justifiable act by the NCAA

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

Whew... so much to disagree with there... but let me start by saying that I believe that in this case, focusing more on erasing Paterno's "legacy" is a better fit than punishing the current PSU program. Paterno's fault in this situation is not immediately responding to make sure that Sandusky was arrested and put to justice the very moment he learned of it. For not acting, even standing in the way of anyone who wanted to act, Paterno's "legacy" deserves to be erased. I actually liked Saban's idea of having PSU's football revenue go to providing support for those having experienced child molestation. Too bad it appears they will not take up that idea...

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

Because it is very clear Penn State, starting with Paterno, consciously and knowingly covered up and didn't follow up on good evidence Sandusky was a predator and rapist, not to mention aiding and abetting him in getting access to the children he abused. Emails showed they were more concerned with the reputation of their football program than the lives of these children, and thus Penn State and Paterno's reputation is completely in play and it is completely valid for the NCAA to destroy that reputation. If Paterno had been less concerned with his and the Penn State reputation, they could have stopped multiple children from getting raped. This is far more important than drugs or perks for student athletes given by agents. This damaged far more people permanently. This is exactly the kind of thing the NCAA should be coming down hard on.

[ ]

In reply to by johann

The death penalty would have sucked because some gal running in track and field doesn't deserve to get her funding removed by the death of the football program, which helps fund other sports. As for the players who didn't deserve to have their wins vacated, that's acceptable collateral damage compared to the damage done by the Penn State coaching staff and administration. They can move on easily enough. Not so easy for those kids - now adults, who got abused. Even without the death penalty, I don't know how that program rebuilds its reputation. We'll find out in ten years or so, I guess. About the time the Cubs start contending again.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

they did nothing to gain an unfair competitive advantage So protecting the legacy of the program by covering up disgusting crimes didn't help the football program? This has nothing do with football program This was caught by the football program. It was covered up by the football program (and the athletic program and the University as a whole). It was then enabled by the football and athletic program. PSU's own commissioned report said that the Paterno had a significant amount of blame. destroying the football legacy and his legacy in football is a damn shame You know what is a damn shame? That numerous kids were violated by a disgusting man, and it was allowed to continue due to the actions of the leaders of the football and athletic programs, as well as the top leadership of the university. Paterno and the leadership of PSU destroyed their own legacies.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

the same reason that day care centers that have rapists get fined, shut down, and/or jailed when parents send their kids somewhere to be surrounded by elders and leaders. we're talking about child rape. child...rape... child rape. ...and the people who did NOTHING to help stop a culture of child rape. child rape. pretty easy. RAPING CHILDREN. <---- the point i hear Hitler was an awesome road builder. why can't we look past that and name some streets after him in Germany? roads have nothing at all to do with all that other icky stuff. let's be reasonable.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Agreed........it amazes me how many people don't get that the real problem is the 'culture' at PSU. Because virtually everyone in a position of authority at Penn State subordinated themselves to whatever Joe Paterno wanted done, Sandusky happened, it was covered up, and it was allowed to go on until outside forces couldn't be silenced the way the football program silenced the University for almost 40 years. --------- "WE ARE.......PENN STATE!" --------- Yes, you certainly are and all that that has caused to so many unfortunate and uncountable victims.

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).