Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs and Angels Tie One On at Diablo Park

Xavier Batista blasted his fourth home run in four games (a solo shot in the top of the 6th that put him into a tie for the team-lead in HR with Jeffrey Baez), Jose Morales hammered an RBI triple, scored a run, and drew a walk, and Carlos Penalver doubled, walked, and scored two runs, as the Cubs and Angels played to a 6-6 tie in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Diablo Park Field #6 in Tempe, AZ.   

Junior Lake played six innings at 3B and batted six times, going 1-6. He drove-in a run with an RBI 5-3 GO in the 1st, reached base on an RBI infield single, stole a base, and scored a run in the 2nd, struck out swinging in the 3rd, reached base on a 5-4 FC and stole a base in the 5th, was called out on strikes in the 6th, and struck out swinging in the 7th. 

In five Cactus League Extended Spring Training games (26 PA), Lake is hitting 409/500/682 with six doubles, seven runs scored, three RBI, 3/6 BB/K, and 3 SB (1 CS). He has played three of the five EXST games at 3B and two in CF, and he has not commited an error at either position.   

RHP Paul Blackburn got the start for the Cubs and was roughed-up in the bottom of the 1st inning, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits (four singles and a triple).  Bit then he got into a groove and retired nine in a row. 

RHP Armando Rivero relieved Blackburn and was hit hard, allowing three runs on five hits (four singles and a triple) in 1.2 IP. He struck out three (all three swinging).  

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



CUBS LINEUP:
X-1. Jose Morales, DH #1: 1-4 (3B, F-8, F-8, 4-3, BB, R, RBI)
NOTE: Morales batted five times, hitting 2nd in the top of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings  
X-2. Junior Lake, 3B: 1-6 (5-3, 1B, K, 5-4 FC, K, K, R, 2 RBI, 2 SB)
NOTE: Lake batted six times, hitting third in the top of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings
1. Rashad Crawford, CF: 2-4 (1B, 1B, 3-1, 3-U, R, RBI)
2. Shawon Dunston Jr, LF: 1-4 (1B, K, P-6, K)
3. Xavier Batista, RF: 2-4 (E-9, K, HR, 1B, R, RBI) 
4. Jacob Rogers, 1B: 0-2 (BB, BB, K, 4-6-3 DP)
5. Jose Dore, DH #2: 0-2 (K, BB, BB, F-9)
6. Brad Zapenas, 2B: 1-2 (L-7, 1B, 5-3 SH)
7. Carlos Penalver, SS: 1-2 (2B, BB, L-4, 2 R)
8a. Wilfredo Petit, C: 0-2 (P-3, P-5)
8b. Erick Castillo, C: 0-1 (5-3)
9a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
9b. Jesse Hodges, 3B: 0-0 (BB)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Paul Blackburn: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, 74 pitches (46 strikes), 4/3 GO/FO
2. Armando Rivero: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 41 pitches (30 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
3. Matt Iannazzo: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 PO, 26 pitches (18 strikes),  2/0 GO/FO 
4. Tyler Bremer: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 20 pitches (14 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO

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

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Erick Castillo: 0-2 CS

ATTENDANCE: 3

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures 100+

 

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

always unfortunate when life gets in the way of pleasurable pursuits...

but also cared way more about the Hawks game than the Cubs suckfest that they trot out most nights.

Wed's game is at 4pm out here for some God forsaken reason, no way to make it there on time without taking the whole day off which isn't happening.

unlikely cycle watch in progress... d.ortiz with a double and a triple (first since April 11th 2011, 17th career) through 2 innings.

Ian Stewart hits his first HR in Iowa for 2013. Some poor AAA pitcher (Matt Neil) found that one plane.

Tommy Birch‏@TommyBirch Huge news for #Cubs fans: #IowaCubs manager Marty Pevey said prospect Junior Lake is expected to join the team on Thursday.

Jim Callis‏@jimcallisBA Beginning to sense #Astros leaning to Appel if $ fit like they want.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

I looked into it just for kicks, 1st Round June Draft Pitchers with career WAR over 10: 1990: Alex Fernandez (28.9), Mike Mussina (83.0), Steve Karsay (11.2) 1991: Joey Hamilton (14.6), Shawn Estes (11.1), Aaron Sele (20.6), Justin Thompson (12.9) 1992: Rick Helling (20.6) 1993: Brian Anderson (11.4), Billy Wagner (28.1), Chris Carpenter (34.5) 1994: Dustin Hermason (11.4) 1995: Kerry Wood (27.7), Matt Morris (20.5), Roy Halladay (64.6) 1996: Kris Benson (13.0), R.A. Dickey (14.5), Eric Milton (16.6), Jake Westbrook (15.4), Gil Meche (17.1) 1997: Jon Garland (22.5) 1998: Mark Mulder (20.0), Jeff Weaver (15.4), CC Sabathia (56.1), Matt Thornton (11.4) 1999: Josh Beckett (34.0), Barry Zito (35.4), Ben Sheets (23.4), Brett Myers (14.4), Jason Jennings (11.4) 2000: Adam Wainwright (26.3) 2001: Mark Prior (16.5), Gavin Floyd (14.9), Noah Lowry (10.2) 2002: Zach Greinke (32.0), Jeff Francis (10.5), Joe Saunders (10.2), Scott Kazmir (16.6), Cole Hamels (30.0), Jeremy Guthrie (18.4), Joe Blanton (10.4), Matt Cain (31.5) 2003: Paul Maholm (13.7), John Danks (19.4), Chad Billingsley (17.2) 2004: Justin Verlander (37.1), Jared Weaver (30.4), Gio Gonzalez (12.5), Houston Street (10.0) 2005: Matt Garza (13.1), Clay Bucholtz (13.8) 2006: Clayton Kershaw (28.6), Tim Lincecum (22.9), Max Scherzer (13.1), Ian Kennedy (10.4) 2007: David Price (15.1) also, Madison Bumgarner (9.2) Notables in Recent Drafts 2008: Lance Lynn (4.2), Wade Miley (3.3) 2009: Stephen Strasburg (7.0), Mike Minor (2.3), Shelby Miller (3.2) 2010: Matt Harvey (5.1), Chris Sale (12.5)

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Heh. While this is great, O&B's point (I guess) was "injured within 3 years". Strassbourg would qualify for this. But, he's still impressive. Checked out the Cole Hammels 30WAR. Dammmnn! So, it would appear that there is noteworthy arm injuries for touted pitchers, it a characteristic of the position in our era. If TJS was offered as an IPO, I'd probably buy stock. Its gonna be interesting to see how/if Vizcaino will recover.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Well, he said: "I'd like to see a list of recent first rounders with long careers - I'm talking 3 years plus, even" so I generated that list. But, there are probably 15-20 pitchers in each first round that either never even make it to the big leagues, make it and have short and sucky careers, or make it but get injured and suck. But that's the nature of drafting and baseball I suppose. So there is a high likelihood that either pitcher the Cubs take will not make it or will turn out to be terrible, but there are usually a handful of good, solid, long-career starters that come out of each first-round, so one can hope.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

to expand upon that, here are the pitchers drafted #1 or #2 overall out of college since 1980.

1981 - #1 Mike Moore (28.2 career WAR)

1983 - #1 Tim Belcher (26.9)

1984 - #2 Bill Swift (18.7)

1986 - #2 Greg Swindell (30.3)

1988 - #1 Andy Benes (31.7)

1989 - #1 Ben McDonald (20.9)

1992 - #2 Paul Shuey (7.0)

1993 - #2 Darren Dreifort (7.9)

1994 - #1 Paul Wilson (2.2)

1996 - #1 Kris Benson (13.0)

1997 - #1 Matt Anderson (-0.5)

1998 - #2 Mark Mulder (20.0)

2000 - #2 Adam Johnson (-1.1)

2001 - #2 Mark Prior (16.5)

2002 - #1 Bryan Bullington (-0.2)

2004 - #2 Justin Verlander (37.1)

2006 - #1 Luke Hochever (0.8), #2 Greg Reynolds (-1.3)

2007 - #1 David Price (15.1)

2009 - #1 Stephen Strasburg (7.0)

2010 - #2 Jameson Tailon

2011 - #1 Gerrit Cole, #2 Danny Hultzen

And honestly, if you break it out to high school pitchers, that just adds Brien Taylor and Josh Beckett I believe (apologies if I'm missing someone).

We can discount Tailon, Cole and Hultzen as they haven't seen the majors yet. That leaves 20 names. I'd say 5 are all-out busts (G. Reynolds, B. Bullington, A. Johnson, M. Anderson and P. Wilson). Hochevar is probably a disappointment, but looks like he's could at least have a decent career in the bullpen. I'd say 12 have had decent careers or headed that way (Verlander, Price, Strasburg, Prior, Mulder, Benson, McDonald, Benes, Swindell, Belcher, Swift, Moore). Some of those could have been better without injuries of course (McDonald, Prior and Mulder to begin with). I don't know anything about Paul Shuey, but i presume some injury forced him to the pen, but he was decent out of there for his career. Dreifort looked like he was well on his way to a good career before arm injuries.

Not the greatest odds that the pick will succeed (depending on your personal definition of baseball success), but slightly above a flip of the coin. As for this pick of the Cubs becoming an ace with a lengthy career, those odds seem quite slim, which will make the pick a disappointment in many fans' eyes.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

my feeling is that if Bryant was special, he'd have been drafted out of high school near the top of the draft. If you look at the history of top college bats with the first 2 picks, very few real stars. Some good players, but I'd say just two real stars (Clark & Drew...I think Erstad has the third best WAR of the group mostly thanks to his defense).

Joe Carter ('81- #2 pick), BJ Surhoff('85 - #1), Will Clark ('85 - #2), Jeff King (#1 - '86), Mike Kelly ('91 - #2), Phil Nevin('92 - #1), Darin Erstad ('95 - #1), Travis Lee ('96 - #2), JD Drew ('97 - #2),  Pat Burrell ('98 - #1), Rickie Weeks ('03 - #2), Alex Gordon ('05 - #2), Pedro Alvarez ('08 - #2), Dustin Ackley('09 - #2)

That's not saying that Bryant won't be good, but there was a study not too long ago that one of the best draft strategies is to get the youngest guy. Essentially get them into pro ball as young as possible...so a guy like Frazier might be the best bet to hit a home run with this pick (I doubt the Cubs go that way though).

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

it would pretty much shock the world if the cubs went with anyone but appell/gray. it's also worth mentioning that bryant is a junior, so whoever drafts him will most likely have to pay #1-3 overall pick money to him no matter where he slots. thanks to the new draft/loot setup we're probably going to be seeing a lot more highschool kids, community college transfers, and college juniors passing up their draft pick unless they get paid if they think they have the talent to move up in following years.

is castro capable of catching any ball thrown to him by an OF'r or catcher on a play at the bag? he's in such a hurry to apply the tag he consistently keeps missing the f'n ball. ...and pujols hits a 2 run homer as i type this. neat. who needs a tie game when you can be behind by 1 run?

[ ]

In reply to by JoePepitone

Fart.

If EpHoy had bothered to do to the bullpen what it did to the rotation, this might have been a bloody playoff team. Instead it's another top 5 pick.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    LHP Blake Weiman appears to have been the last cut from the AAA Iowa roster. He is with the Tennessee group at Minor League Camp.

     

  • crunch (view)

    bruce bochy is hobbling rather badly for a guy who's had 2 hip replacements.  his gait is extremely wonky taking the lineup card to the ump.

  • crunch (view)

    yeah, for me this isn't about who's better at 3rd.  it's madrigal, period.  for me it's about who's not hitting in the lineup because madrigal is in the lineup.

    occasional play at 3rd for madrigal, okay.  going with the steele/ground-ball matchup...meh, but okay, whatever.

    seeing madrigal get significant starting time...no thanks.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Yeah I am very disappointed Madrigal is starting. He has no business as a starter. He is AAA insurance, a back up at best. Sure his defense looks fine because he plays far enough in that his noodle arm isn’t totally exposed. It comes at the cost of 3B range.

    He’s garbage, and a team serious about winning would NOT have him starting opening day.

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.