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

Venezuelan Trio Plus Alamo Too Much for A's

Arnaldo Calero (solo HR, two walks, and an HBP) reached base four times, Gleyber Torres (two walks and an RBI single), Bryant Flete (RBI triple, RBI double, and a single), and Tyler Alamo (RBI single, a walk, and an HBP) reached base three times a piece, and the foursome combined to collect five RBI and score five runs, leading the Cubs to an 8-5 victory over the Athletics in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning on Field #2 (AKA "Connie Mack Field") at the Papago Baseball Complex in Phoenix, AZ.

Seongmin Kim belted a bases-clearing three-run double for the A's. 

Tennessee Smokies RHP Matt Loosen (on the Restricted List since 5/22 and hasn't pitched since 5/17) got the start for the Cubs today and worked 3.2 IP (69 pitches), allowing three runs (all ER) on two hits and four walks. He retired 11 of the first 13 men he faced before running out of gas (temperature 100+) in the bottom of the 4th.

RHP Trey Lang (Cubs 2012 6th round draft pick - Gateway CC) walked four consecutive batters in the bottom of the 7th before being relieved. Lang has now appeared in 11 Cactus League EXST games so far in 2014... COMBINED LINE: 16.1 IP, 23 H, 18 R (17 ER), 21 BB, 16 K, 2 HBP, 8 WP, 314 pitches (49% strikes), 9.37 ERA, 2.69 WHIP, .338 OppBA. 

In 18 Cactus League EXST games (55 PA), Cubs infielder Bryant Flete is hitting a robust 372/491/442, with one double and one triple, 11/10 BB/K, 8 RUNS, 9 RBI, and two SB (two CS), and has committed four errors (two at SS and two at 2B). The 21-year old Venezuelan has played both 2B and SS at EXST (although 2B is his best position), and he presently leads the team in both AVG and OBP (minimum 48 PA to qualify). So don't be too surprised if Flete wins a spot on the Boise Hawks Opening Day roster, especially if the Cubs opt to keep 17-year old SS Gleyber Torres in Mesa (AZL Cubs) for the summer. 

Meanwhile, Torres is hitting a very respectable 272/374/359 in 27 Cactus League Extended Spring Training games (108 PA), with 13/20 BB/K, four doubles, two triples, two SB (two CS and two  PO), 12 RUNS, and 10 RBI, but he has committed 11 errors. 

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):
CUBS LINEUP:
1. Gleyber Torres, SS: 1-3 (BB, K, 5-4 FC, 1B, BB, R, RBI)
2. Bryant Flete, 2B: 3-5 (3B, 6-3, 2B, 1B, K, R, 2 RBI)
3. Charcer Burks, CF: 0-4 (L-8 SF, E-5, K, 6-4 FC, F-8, R, RBI)
4. Tyler Alamo, C: 1-2 (BB, 1B, 4-3, HBP, R, RBI)
5. Mark Malave, DH #1: 1-4 (F-9, 2B, F-8, K, RBI)
6. Roney Alcala, 1B: 1-4 (1B, P-3, 4-3, K)
7. Adonis Paula, 3B: 0-3 ((K, K, E-5, 5-3, R)
8. Ricardo Marcano, RF: 2-4 (F-8, F-8, 1B, 1B)
9. Eufran Vargas, DH #2: 0-3 (K, BB, 6-4-3 DP, 6-4 FC, R)
10. Arnaldo Calero, LF: 1-1 (HR, HBP, BB, BB, 2 R, RBI)
  
CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Matt Loosen: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 4 BB, 4 K, 2/5 GO/FO, 69 pitches (40 strikes)
2. Hector Perez: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/4 GO/FO, 20 pitches (13 strikes)
3. Trey Lang: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 0/1 GO/FO, 27 pitches (8 strikes)
4. Francisco Carrillo: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 34 pitches (25 strikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 2
3B Adonis Paula - E-5 (throwing error on infield single allowed batter to advance to 2nd base)
SS Gleyber Torres - E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)

ATTENDANCE: 18

WEATHER: Mostly sunny and a bit breezy with temperatures 100+

Comments

INTRASQUAD GAME AT RIVERVIEW PARK THIS MORNING:

Josh Conway and Ryan McNeil threw two innings a piece and Ben Wells (battling "Steve Blass Disease"), Jesus Castillo, and Yomar Morel threw one inning each.  

Pierce Johnson and James McDonald threw pre-game "live" BP.

Position players at Cubs Extended Spring Training have apparently been divided into two squads ("Boise" and "Mesa"), with Gary Van Tol managing Boise and Jimmy Gonzalez managing Mesa (as they will be once the short seasons start next month)...

BOISE:   
CATCHERS: Erick Castillo, Mark Malave (also 1B-3B), Justin Marra (also 1B), and Alberto Mineo (also 1B) 
INFIELDERS: Zak Blair (2B), Varonex Cuevas (SS-2B-3B), Jesse Hodges (3B), and Rony Rodriguez (1B-LF-RF)  
OUTFIELDERS: Jeffrey Baez (RF-CF), Kevin Brown (LF-RF-3B-2B-1B), Rashad Crawford (CF-LF), Shamil Ubiera (RF-CF-LF), and Oliver Zapata (LF-CF-RF)

MESA:
CATCHERS: Tyler Alamo (also 1B), Antonio Valerio, and Eufran Vargas
INFIELDERS: Roney Alcala (1B-3B), Bryant Flete (2B-SS), Dalfis Ortiz (2B-3B), Adonis Paula (3B), and Gleyber Torres (SS)  
OUTFIELDERS: Charcer Burks (CF-LF), Arnaldo Calero (LF-CF-RF), Eloy Jimenez (RF), and Ricardo Marcano (LF-RF-1B)

Which pitchers go where will be decided next week, and even the position player assignments in evidence today are fluid and are subject to change at any time.

With the Dominican Summer League (DSL) beginning play this weekend, it is possible that one or more of the Dominican players presently assigned to Cubs Extended Spring Training could be moved down to the DSL Cubs after today's intrasquad game.     

SS Elliot Soto has completed his 50-game "Drug of Abuse" suspension, and so he is eligible to be reinstated from the Restricted List and can be assigned wherever the Cubs feel he might be needed (probably either Tennessee or Daytona). Or if the Cubs have no use for him, he could get released. In 18 Cactus League Extended Spring Training games (68 PA), Soto hit 333/397/417 with 6/9 BB/K, one double, two triples, 3 SB (0 CS), 12 RUNS, and 5 RBI, while playing outstanding defense at SS.   

Iowa Cubs@IowaCubs Today: Conclusion of Game 2 at 12:05. Tonight: Regularly-scheduled 9-inning game at 7:05 on CBS Sports Network. I-Cubs at Memphis. Channel 418 on my Chicago area Comcast.

HOU won their 6th in a row tonight...because baseball. cubs have a 1.5 game "lead" over ARZ for the #1 pick next season.

What are the Cubs going to do with Bryant? He's pretty clearly not being challenged where he is. Villanueva is the 3B guy at Iowa, and although his stock is probably down a bit I doubt they've given up on him. Olt is obviously a fixture at third on the big club (insert sarcasm font and a Capt Happy smiley icon). I guess they don't want to put him in the outfield yet because they don't want to throw off that rhythm he's got going. It's an interesting dilemma.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Can somebody tell me if it is weird/ a warning sign that Carlos Rodon tends to hyper-extend his front knee as he finishes his delivery? Because that seems weird to me. "He finishes upright in his follow-through, though his linear energy appears to hit an invisible wall immediately after release point, suggesting that he has room for improvement during the late phases of his delivery." <--Yup. Because he's driving his front heel into the ground and stopping all his weight with a locked front knee. Seriously, this is weird, right?

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

it's part of his command/control. there's been efforts to smooth it out, but it hasn't stuck. part of his value is his command/control and i don't know if it's comfort, a desire to not try to "fix what not's broken," or if efforts to smooth out his end-delivery affected his command/control and it is keeping him from improving that end-delivery. ...and though it has a whole lot of nothing to do with his delivery...i gotta say, he's got a sweeeeeet slider complimenting the fastball he can change speed on. he's supposedly got a kickass changeup, but he so rarely has to actually use it because the FB/slider combo gets it done at the college level.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

I understand the organization wants Bryant to learn to deal with the grind of a pro season, to cut down on the K's, and to improve his defense at 3b, but his AA numbers are just nuts. He's leading the league in just about everything, and his SLG is 150 points higher than the #2 guy. I looked at his splits for any red flags, and across the board-- day/night, home/road, bases empty/runners on, lefty pitcher/righty pitcher-- his numbers are pretty much the same. Saving the best for last. Last ten games: .484/.610/1.097. Might we say he's shown he can handle the Southern League? I would be surprised if the Cubs don't promote him in June, and wouldn't be surprised if they left him at third base. That would suck for Christian Villanueva, but it's a harsh business. Depending on how the Olt/Baez/Alcantara situation shakes out, Bryant might very well end up in the outfield, but I would think a position change would wait till spring training and then a stint at Iowa in 2015 up to the magic service time date. Could be a fun road trip to Des Moines in July.

BP writeup on 10 prospects from 5-27-14...
Albert Almora, CF, Cubs (High-A Daytona) After taking in Daytona's series against Bradenton, I came away impressed with Almora—even though he didn't rake like he has lately, there was still plenty to like. At the plate he's patiently aggressive: Almora knows where he wants the ball and when he sees a pitch in his zone he lets his bat eat. The bat speed is above-average and his swing gets into the zone quickly and stays level. There aren’t a lot of moving parts before the swing. His stance is open and sports excellent balance. His hands and head are very quiet throughout the entire swing. His pitch recognition skills are advanced. This kid is able to recognize spin quickly, which allows him to make some very nice in-bat adjustments. Throughout the entire series he only had one bad at-bat, which came against another top prospect, Tyler Glasnow. Almora chased three elevated fastballs at the letters or higher—pitches he had no shot at catching up to. It was rare to see him get that aggressive at pitches out of his zone. He's got an athletic frame that has room to add more muscle. He is an average runner and this has some questioning his future ability to stay in center. From what I saw, I think there is a legit chance he can stick there. What he lacks in natural speed, he makes up for with excellent reads off the bat and sound routes to the ball. There were a few balls smoked into the gaps that he was able to cut off, holding the batter to long singles. Almora's arm also impressed. He unleashed an absolute laser from the right center gap on a line to home plate. His release was quick and the throw was not only of the plus variety, but accurate too. Overall, he's a fun kid to watch. –Chris King
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=23694

Marcus Stroman scratched from Triple-A start tonight...man the rumor towers!!!!

(story says he's probably going to start for Toronto tomorrow)

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • 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.