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

I-Cubs' Summer Begins With Lake Stay

For the first time this season the best farm system in organized baseball comes to town as the suddenly first place Iowa Cubs scoot home from Omaha for a three-game set with the Memphis Redbirds that culminates with a pyrotechnic exclamation of patriotism on Independence Day Eve.

After an 0-6 stumble from the gate and falling to the nadir of nine games below .500 a couple of times during a soggy spring the I-Cubs have warmed and ripened with the coming of summer, playing at a .680 clip over their last 25 games to reach the .500 mark at 42-42.

This series with Memphis sets up as a showdown for the top spot in the PCL’s American North Division, if anyone cares. The visitors will arrive two games behind their hosts. A sweep would result in the teams swapping places in the standings but the chances for it are lessened by the return of uber-prospect Elvis Pres…er, Oscar Taveras to the DL last week after the recurrence of an ankle injury that’s nagged him all year.

Given the recent call-up of Brian Bogusevic and the twin fades of Josh (JV) Vitters and Brett (K) Jackson I suppose Junior Lake ranks as the local top prospect du jour. After 25 Triple A games and an even 100 AB’s Lake is hitting at a promising .320 clip though that rate has slowed to just .230 over his last 10 games. Random or not, the I-Cubs’ summer surge has coincided with Lake’s arrival. So far he’s logged 22 games at the hot corner and three in RF. Most of his eight errors have sprayed from a strong but erratic arm.

Here’s a nugget I panned from the team’s game notes prior to yesterday’s blanking at the hands of Omaha:

ATTENDANCE

Home Total......... 237,255 / 39 dates Average - 6,083

Road Total......... 237,276 / 39 dates Average - 6,084

 

That’s pretty close. If you pencil out the actual difference between the home/road averages it’s closer to .5 persons per game. I got to thinking that if I were counted every time I visit those averages might reverse. I’m still maybe half the man I used to be. So Wednesday night six of us are going through the turnstiles as paid admissions for the fireworks gala. It figures to be the biggest crowd of the year, what with, you know, first place on the line and all. Sometimes the bush leagues are the place to be.

Comments

Logan Watkins seems like he has been hitting lately. How has he looked when you have been watching? Unlike Vitters and Jackson, he does seem to have a prospect pulse, even if only for a utility reserve/pinch hitter.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

Seems like Castro has been trouble hitting the fastball, of all things, for some reason, from what little I've been able to watch. Sometimes he just really swings at piss poor pitches, too, but I honestly think that can work itself out in his case, cuz I've seen him make adjustments.

And in other Cub news, Brian Roberts has indeed just been activated just in time for the trading season.

If anyone is on Twitter and doesn't already follow Baseball's Best Fans, do it now. With the Cardinals-Angels series this week it's pure gold.

Witty says Cubs would just get pro-rated minimum in a deal (about $250K)...which if I understand this correctly, they'd be off the hook for anyway as long as he signed somehwere (if that's what he signed for of course).

so maybe they will get a player....otherwise I don't understand why the Cubs would bother.

Wow. MAtt Guerrier added would be like TWO Shawn Camps! What could be bad about that?

Kiley McDaniel‏@kileymcd ( National Baseball Analyst for Fox Sports ) Speculation on my part, but Cubs telling Clevenger to go home from stadium & wait for trade jives with midnight deal for needed Int'l pool $ Kiley McDaniel‏@kileymcd That said, Marmol/Dodgers sounds imminent & don't think LAD would dump int'l money unless its a bigger deal. Kiley McDaniel‏@kileymcd Just like that I'm told Marlins were one of a few teams on Steve Clevenger. MIA-CHC trade w/Int'l pool money involved makes tons of sense. Kiley McDaniel‏@kileymcd And the weird timing/wording of the initial Clevenger report makes a lot more sense if its a deal that can't happen for three more hours.

Ah, Feel the love for Ned Colletti. Being better than something really dumb blog commentary on the possibility of Dodgers getting Marmol...
If Marmol does end up in Los Angeles, I won’t really like it, and neither will you. But I also can’t say that taking a flier on a DFA’d reliever is really that much more egregious than giving three-year deals to Guerrier and League in the first place, right? Unfortunately, “being better than something really dumb” isn’t the same thing as “actually being a good idea or worth the effort,” and that’s where I’m worried we end up here.
http://www.mikesciosciastragicillness.com/2013/07/01/report-its-getting…

Dave Kaplan on the radio saying there are 5 teams in on Marmol. So not a done deal with the Dodgers.

Clevenger was placed on the trading block within the last 24 hours after a disagreement with the Cubs over his medical situation, a source has confirmed to MLBDailyDish's Chris Cotillo. Clevenger, who was recently activated from the 60-day disabled list, asked for a second opinion on the injury (which he is entitled to as a 40-man roster player) within the last 24 hours and was immediately put on the trading block and told to pack up his gear. http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2013/7/1/4485138/cubs-trade-rumors-is-steve…

gosh, clevenger v. cubs almost like a-rod v. yankees...starless i-cubs pad pcl lead!

International NON-Signing Day So far I have heard nothing on any deals the Cubs are doing. Just the usual excellent suspects: Cards, Rangers, Red Sox...

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

Thanks. Here you go (BA, Ben Badler) In fact, it's not even clear how Mejia is allowed to be pitching here. MLB declared Mejia ineligible to sign until April 4. When MLB suspends a player or declares him ineligible to sign for one year, the player is not allowed to enter a team's Dominican complex. An MLB official said the league was aware that Mejia participated in the IPL game and that no violations took place, but there is no explanation why it's not a violation if he's not allowed to be at a team's academy. Regardless, Mejia has to be one of the biggest human beings on the island and his talent is clear. He was listed at 6-foot-7, 190 pounds at this time last year. Now the roster has him at 220, but he looks heavier with a thick lower half. Last year his fastball sat in the high-80s and scraped the low-90s. Today he's sitting at 91-93 mph and getting both lefties and righties to swing through a good-looking 77-79 mph changeup, with a solid 75-76 mph curveball as well. For a guy with Mejia's size, usually there are a lot of arms, legs, elbows and knees flying all over the place. His mechanics are fairly solid for someone with his length and he seems to have the athleticism to repeat his delivery.

MLBTR/Roto's all over it... Keith Law of ESPN reports that the Orioles have acquired right-hander Scott Feldman and catcher Steve Clevenger from the Cubs in exchange for right-handers Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop, and international bonus money. mlbtr... The Orioles sent international bonus slots 3 and 4 to the Cubs, according to the team. That should amount to an additional $388,100 for the Cubs, who had an international bonus pool of $4,557,200. This is the first MLB trade involving international bonus pool money. Orioles...Clevenger has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Not overly exciting, but certainly more than I expected Feldman to provide when we signed him. Both Strop and Arrieta and good stuff, though control can be an issue for both. Assuming a good amount of international cash, this could be quite beneficial.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Indeed Cubster - MLBTR the O's fans comments are pretty complimentary towards TheoCorp. The pool, money as you state is the key. This may enable them to sign one of the top Intl. prospects - for a one-year-pitching-over-his-head rental.

who starts tonight in Feldman's spot...Vanilla Wafers? roto answers the question: Cubs recalled LHP Chris Rusin from Triple-A Iowa. He'll start Tuesday against the A's in place of Scott Feldman

rusin recently tossed i-cubs' first CG shutout in a decade; 2nd in pcl in bb/9 innings...efficiency expert?

and mlbtr confirms... Marmol to LA for Guerrier. Now we have Shawn Camps even more evil twin? Not sure about why they gave up Int'l slot money though.
the Cubs announced they have acquired Matt Guerrier from the Dodgers for Carlos Marmol and Chicago's fourth international signing bonus slot. That slot is worth $209,700 in pool money. The Cubs acquired $388,100 in pool money from the Orioles minutes ago, so Chicago still adds $178,400 to their pool.

Anyone who can figure out the reconfigured roster/pitching staff...please post. Added: Guerrier, Rusin Limbo: Arrieta, Strop Gone: Feldman, Sweeney Callup interuptus: Sappelt

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.