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

Eloy Goes Deep and Strop Continues Rehab at Diablo Park

Raul Linares ripped a game-winning walk-off RBI double with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, as the Angels rallied from a four-run deficit to edge the Cubs 7-6 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Diablo Park Field #7 in Tempe, AZ.

Eloy Jimenez belted a three-run home run and an RBI single, Jeffrey Baez singled twice, walked, stole a base, and scored three runs, and Kevin Brown singled twice, walked, and scored two runs to help the Cubs take an early 4-0 lead, and Nataniel Delgado doubled twice and scored and Trevor Gretzky laced a two-run triple to aid the Angel comeback.  

The Angels collected six doubles and one triple among their nine hits.

RHRP Pedro Strop (on Cubs MLB 15-day DL - groin) continued his EXST rehab with a shutout inning (18 pitches - 10 strikes). Strop was not as sharp this morning in Tempe as he was on Saturday in Scottsdale, as he walked one and was behind in the count on just about every hitter, but he did not allow a hit, he struck out two, and he got the third out on a broken bat 5-3 GO. 

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 2-2 (BB, 1B, 1B, 3 R, SB)
1b. Rashad Crawford, CF: 0-1 (K)
2a. Kevin Brown, LF: 2-2 (1B, BB, 1B, 2 R)
2b. Oliver Zapata, LF; 0-1 (K)
3. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 2-4 (HR, K, 1B, F-8, R, 4 RBI)
4a. Justin Marra, 1B: 1-2 (BB, 3-U, 1B)
4b. Alberto Mineo, 1B: 1-1 (1B)
5. Jesse Hodges, 3B: 0-4 (F-8, E-5, K, 6-4-3 DP)
6. Mark Malave, DH #1: 0-4 (6-4 FC, 5-3, L-6 DP, 1-3)
7. Zak Blair, 2B: 1-4 (K, 1B, 4-3, F-7)
8. Erick Castillo, C: 1-4 (4-3, 1B, 4-3, 6-3)
9. Varonex Cuevas, SS: 0-3 (F-7, P-6, F-7)
10. Shamil Ubiera, DH #2: 0-3 (F-9, 5-4-3 DP, F-7)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Frailyn Figueroa: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/FO, 21 pitches (13 strikes)
2. Pedro Strop: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 18 pitches (10 strikes)
3. Trevor Clifton: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 8/1 GO/FO, 63 pitches (37 strikes)
4. Adbert Alzolay: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 31 pitches (12 strikes)
5. Victor Salazar: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 31 pitches (18 strikes)  

CUBS ERRORS: 1
SS Varonex Cuevas: - E-6 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely)

CUBS CATCHER DEFENSE:
Erick Castillo: 1-2 CS

ATTENDANCE: 5

WEATHER: Sunny & a bit breezy with temperatures 100+

Comments

Speaking of Ninja, teams that could/should cough up 2 top prospects.

Orioles, Blue Jays, Yankees, A's, Rockies

Rangers, Angels, Mariners, Braves, Giants would be the second tier in my opinion, maybe Cardinals and Brewers if they go down that road,

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I'm convinced that the Cards' front office includes at least one practitioner of the Dark Arts and that if the Cubs were to trade Shark to them, their prospects would turn into pumpkins and Shark would turn into a sex robot with a laser canon for an arm a legit ace upon completion of the transaction.

in case it went unnoticed, Cubs slipped to worst record in baseball last night, and Astros winning again today.

still a decent -6 run differential but a 3-10 record in 1-run games.

@hangingsliders

This is Lincecum's first start this season where his ERA heading into the game was lower than the opp pitcher's ERA.

John Baker single with one out in 7th ends the no-hitter. Cubs down 2-0 (Colvin double led to one run), but have 2 on, 1 out in 7th now.

"fun" facts:

Bonifacio first 8 games:500/537/579

221/264/305 since (39 games, 36 started)

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Good for about a week. Shitty since. I was just saying, even good isn't as good when you're making boneheaded baserunning plays. :)

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

Derek Jeter never hit 40 homeruns in a season because he respects the game too goddamn much. In heaven, Derek Jeter will play poker with Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio for eternity. He will never tell a dirty joke, but he will smile knowingly at all of theirs. Following Derek Jeter's retirement at the end of the 2014 season, all baseballs on the planet simultaneously committed suicide. They just no longer saw the point.

Olt made a nice defensive play on a Pagan bunt attempt and then whiffed on an easy chopper by Posey that scored a run. Called it a hit though.

#enjoythebench

*changed to error apparently

Or the Cubs could not sign their 1st round pick (#4 overall) this year and instead get a comp pick in next year's draft (would be #5 overall) when the draft might have five players at the top of the draft who are actually worth taking that high. 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

There has been chatter on the web that the Cubs might select a "signable" player at #4 who is not actually a #4 talent-wise, if the player they pick agrees in advance pre-draft to accept an "underslot" bonus such that the Cubs can then spread the money they save from paying their 1st round pick "underslot" money over picks 2-10.

IMO, if you are picking at #4 overall and a premier impact talent is not on the board when you pick at #4, than punt (select somebody you know you can't sign) and take your chances next year with the #5 overall pick. It can't be any worse than picking a "signable" player and then signing him to an underslot bonus at #4 this year. 

The Cubs don't need to select & sign another good player with the #4 overall pick (the system is full of guys like that). They need a high-end impact talent that you should be able to get only by drafting at #4 overall.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

maybe, if that underslot is Jeff Hoffman at #4, then I'm all for it. Astros picked Correa at underslot at #1 a two years back and used it to get McCullers. No one seems to be complaining now. Don't think it's a bad strategy as long as Wilken isn't doing the picking and grabbing Hayden Simpson :)

Actually, picking Samardzija in the 5th round is looking quite brilliant even with Colvin as a nearly bust, but it's the same principle. No one hits 100% on the draft, you just place your bets accordingly and some people are just better at it than others.

And you can't have enough good players, no matter how stocked anyone thinks the system is.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

When a team has the #4 overall selection in a draft, it should be an opportunity to not just add another "good" player to an already strong system full of good players, it should be an opportunity to select a premier impact talent that is (most years) only available to a team with the #4 overall pick. Unless there isn't a #4 talent available when the team picks at #4 (as might be the case this year), in which case punting and trying your luck next year at #5 overall might be a gamble worth taking.  

Of course adding more good players is fine, but a #4 overall pick should be better than good. When the Astros selected Carlos Correa with the 1st overall pick in the 2012 draft, Correa was considered (pre-draft) to be a premier impact talent and one of the two or three best players in that draft (although not #1), and it also so-happened that Correa was willing to sign for below-slot money, too, which helped the Astros out. But it wasn't like the Astros used their #1 overall pick to select a Max Pentecost or a Michael Conforto. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

failing to see how the gamble of punting for a possible better #5 pick next year that they would have to sign is any better of a gamble than getting a previously unsignable player with extra bonus money in round #2 or #3.

Regardless, some mid-first round talent at #4 would disappoint me as well (Pentecost for example), although not as disappointing if they land someone thought to be unobtainable with their later picks.  If they get Hoffman for cheap or one of the other top 8-10 talents it wouldn't upset me as long as they believe in his talent. (Aiken, Colon, Kolek, Gordon aren't coming cheap and probably not Jackson, but maybe Nola or Freeland).

We'll see what happens...

PS - not sure whom they could pick here and not sign withouth looking either stupid or cheap, maybe Kolek if he drops presuming Rodon and Aiken are gone. Don't see Jackson or Gordon passing up slot money ($4.6212M, Cubs have $8.352M total for first 10 rounds or over $100K).

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2014-draft-assigned-pick-values-fo…

$1.25 M for 2nd/#45

$715K for 3rd/#78

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

ROB G: If the Cubs were to punt their #4 overall pick in 2014 and get the #5 overall pick in 2015 and then don't sign him, either, they would get the 6th overall pick in the 2016 draft.  Then if the Cubs do not sign the second compensation pick (the #6 overall pick in the 2016 draft), then they would not get a compenation pick in 2017. NOTE: This rule was modified in the 2012 CBA.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

ah thanks, thought it only carried over for one year. Regardless, after #5, your chance of "impact talent" goes down significantly.

Whom do you think they could draft at #4 and get away with saying they couldn't sign him? Regardless of the soundness of the theory behind it, there's a real PR issue that they would have to deal with.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

In the past 22 years, the only 3 overall #4 picks who have put up at least 6 career WAR are Kerry Wood, Gavin Floyd, and Ryan Zimmerman. #3 pick: 8 guys with at least 6 WAR. #5: 7 guys (with one barely qualifying). Throw out the last 4 years (guys are still too young). So of the 54 guys taken #3, 4, or 5 overall between 5 and 22 years ago, 18 of them (1/3) have at least 6 career WAR. At this point in the draft, it's kind of a crap shoot, and a little off-base to be talking about can't-miss impact talent. For impact talent, you have to go to #2 (13 of 18 guys once Pedro Alvarez gets 250 more ABs) or #1 (12 of 18 guys).

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

In the entire 49 year history of the MLB Rule 4 Draft, here are the number of 6 WAR players selected with the Top 15 overall picks in the 1st round: 

1 - 29
2 - 25
3 - 18
4 - 17
5 - 11
6 - 12
7 - 12
8 - 14
9 - 12
10 - 16
11 - 7
12 - 14
13 - 11
14 - 14
15 - 9

The pick you want to stay away from is the 11th overall pick, but #10 is better than picks #5-9, and it's almost as good as #4, and the 14th overall pick is better than 5-6-7, as good as 8, and better than 9 & 11. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Overall then, I'm not convinced, but at least your idea of punting is an interesting idea. I'd say if one of the top three pitchers isn't available the Cubs should grab the best position player, maybe Jackson or Zimmer. Yeah, they already have plenty of young not ready talent, but that could come in very handy when the Cubs start looking for a real major league caliber outfielder to trade for.

btw, here's a Pentecost write-up

http://www.amazinavenue.com/2014/5/28/5735386/2014-mlb-draft-profile-ma…

..."scouts have reservations about how Pentecost's body will hold up to the rigors of catching one-hundred-plus games...most see him as possessing below-average power, with the potential for that to improve if he can develop additional strength...defensively Pentecost does not grade poorly, but his bat is his calling card. He possesses average arm strength, and his pop time is consistently MLB average or even slightly better, but he has inconsistent throwing mechanics that hurt his accuracy"

yes, I'd be disappointed if they took him 4th

 

Hopefully Brady Aiken and/or Carlos Rodon will somehow fall to the Cubs so that they will get "full value" (an elite pitching prospect) out of the 2014 #4 overall pick. After what Cub fans went through last season, using the #4 overall pick the Cubs got for sucking to select Michael Conforto or Max Pentecost would be very demoralizing.  

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

for most Cubs fans it won't matter a lick to be honest, for the vocal minority fans like us, maybe so

I'd be amazed if Aiken or Rodon fall, not sure the deal on Kolek, people seem to be weary, could be a make-up issue and Cubs F.O. seems to take that seriously with their top pick at least.

Jackson, Gordon, Nola, maybe another name or two that eludes me at the moment wouldn't upset me at all.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.