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

Cubs 2014 Draft - Day 3

I've got the draft signing block in the left sidebar up already with the Zagunis signing in there. Otherwise the final day has begun and I will be updating very sporadically.

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11th Round Pick #319 - Jordan Brink, RHP from Fresno State - Junior

There have been some interesting pitching prospects in recent Drafts who came late to full-time pitching, including first-rounders Braden Shipley in 2013 and Kyle Zimmer in 2012. While Brink isn't quite that high-profile, he has the chance to do well now that he's focused only on the mound. An outfielder for his first two years at Fresno State, Brink split time between playing that position and pitching as a sophomore then turned to pitching full-time in 2014. He's athletic, if a bit undersized, with the makings of two plus pitches in his fastball and spike curveball, which looks like a hard slider at times. He's working on developing his changeup. The jury is still out on whether Brink can start long-term -- sometimes a bias against undersized right-handers -- or he'll end up in the bullpen. Either way, his arm looks like it has a shot to pitch at the highest level.

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12th Round Pick #349 - Tanner Griggs, RHP from Angelina College (TX) - J2

Had to look up Tanner Griggs. Can touch 95mph, sits 90-92 and adds a solid slider, decent CH, control issues. Could be bullpen.

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13th Round Pick #379 - Kevonte Mitchell, 3B from Kennett HS (MO)

#Cubs take 3B Kevonte Mitchell. Super raw, but thunder in the bat, lean frame that aces the eye test. Very quick hands.

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14th Round Pick #409 - Chesny Young, 2B from Mercer University (GA) - Junior

Wow. Young in 204 AB this season, walked 28 times, struck out just 14. Not much speed or power, though.

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15th Round Pick #439 - Jeremy Null, RHP from Western Carolina (NC) - Junior

listed at 6'8", 230 pounds on his school website, MLB has 6'7", 225 pounds

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16th Round Pick #469 - Jason Vosler, SS from Northeastern University (MA) - Junior

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17th Round Pick #499 - Michael Knighton, RHP from Central Alabama CC - J2

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18th Round Pick #529 - Austyn Willis, RHP from Barstow HS (CA)

from same high school as Toronto prospect Aaron Sanchez, committed to UC Santa Barbara

Willis is a tall kid - 6'6" - committed to UC-Santa Barbara. Not a ton of velocity, but "good tilt" and good slider:

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19th Round Pick #559 - Brad Marky, RHP from Virginia Tech - Senior

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20th Round Pick #589 - John Tomasovich, SS from Charleston Southern Univeristy - Senior

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21st Round Pick #619 - Charles White, OF from Maryland Univeristy - Junior

Hope someone tells him during the game. Made a defensive gem to bail out Stinnett in the first today in the super regional.

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22nd Round Pick #649 - Joey Martarano 3B from Boise State Univeristy - Freshman

Joey Martarano was a huge name last year and some had him as a possible top 2 RD guy early on. Big kid, can hit the snot out of a baseball.

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23rd Round Pick #679 - Isiah Gilliam OF from Parkview HS (GA)

Just a few months ago, Gilliam was classified as a junior and a member of the 2015 Draft class. But because he began high school in 2010 and his eligibility is set to expire, he was able to move up his graduation to 2014 and become eligible for this year's Draft. The change left scouts scrambling to see him late this spring. Gilliam is a switch-hitter and uses his quick, compact swing to generate good bat speed. He produces solid power and drives balls well from both sides of the plate. Gilliam plays mostly first base now, but he is athletic enough to play in an outfield corner, despite his below-average speed.

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24th Round Pick #709 - Daniel Spingola CF from Georgia Tech - Junior

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25th Round Pick #739 - Tyler Pearson C from Texas State Univeristy - Senior

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26th Round Pick #769 - Zach Hedges RHP from Azuza Pacific University - Junior

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27th Round Pick #799 - Calvin Graves CF from Franklin Pierce University - Senior

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28th  Round Pick #829 -Jacon Niggemeyer RHP from Olentangy Liberty HS (OH)

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29th Round Pick #859 - Gianni Zayas RHP rom Seminole State (FL) - J2

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30th Round Pick #889 - Michael Cantu C from Foy H. Moody HS (TX) - Freshman

The position-player crop in Texas is exceptionally thin in 2014, from the colleges down through the high schools. The Lone State State may not have a hitter taken in the top three rounds for the first time since 1981. The best candidate is Cantu, who offers intriguing power potential and raw arm strength. Cantu can put on a batting-practice show that rivals anyone's in this year's high school class, though his long all-or-nothing swing leads to swings and misses in game action. He has a strong arm, but he often records fringy pop times because his footwork and transfer are slow. Scouts love Cantu's makeup and leadership skills, which were also on display when he quarterbacked the Moody football team, coached by his father Mike. While he has two captivating tools, there are enough questions about his bat and his agility that he may not get drafted high enough to lure him away from a commitment to Texas.

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31st Round Pick #919 - Brad Deppermann RHP from East Lake HS (FL)

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32nd Round Pick #949 - Andrew Ely 2B from University of Washington - Junior

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33rd Round Pick #979 - Brad Bass RHP from Lincoln-Way Central HS (IL)

Scouts were excited about Bass' projectability and gave him a chance to pitch his way into the top three rounds this spring. He hasn't lived up to those hopes, however, as he played basketball during the winter and wasn't in peak baseball shape when the spring began. It's still easy to dream on Bass, but whether he'll go high enough in the Draft to be lured away from a Notre Dame scholarship remains to be seen. He's lean and athletic, with plenty of room to add strength in the future. He'll show a 91-mph fastball early in games, though his velocity tapers off to the mid-80s in later innings. Bass' slider has the potential to become an out pitch. It has some bite and reaches the low 80s at times, and he commands it well. His changeup needs a lot of work, and some scouts aren't enamored of his delivery.

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34th Round Pick #1009 - Steven Kane RHP from Cypress College (CA) - J3

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35th Round Pick #1039 - Jordan Minch LHP from Purdue - Sophomore

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36th Round Pick #1069 - DJ Peters OF from Glendora HS (TCA)

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37th Round Pick #1099 - Riley Adams C from Canyon Crest Academy (CA)

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38th Round Pick #1129 - Daniel Wasinger C from Eastlake HS (TX)

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39th Round Pick #1159 - David Petrino C from Central Arizona (AZ) - J2

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40th Round Pick #1189 - Diamond Johnson CF from Hillsborough HS (FL)

Comments

moving it up here, but Stinnett 3 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K so far vs. Virginia

They're throwing Nathan Kirby, a LHP that is potential 1-1 pick next year, looks bad so far

4 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Stinnett makes it through 6 with the lead, gives up 3 runs. Didn't see a fastball go over 90, but it had some movement...good command on his breaking ball though.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Okay, fine, let him play in the Southern League All-Star Game in a few days, but sweet sleepin' Jesus, then move this young man to Iowa and let him get on with his career.

regardless of how unimpressed I was by Stinnett's stuff, he held what's considered a really good Virginia offense at bay, so there's that.

22nd Round Pick #649 - Joey Martarano 3B from Boise State Univeristy - Freshman The guy's a LB on the Boise State football team. They don't have a baseball team. Phillies drafted him in the 13th rd. last year as a tough sign. Sounds like he's interested in signing this year as a two sport guy.

I'm trying to figure out if our manager is vindictive, incompetent, or mentally ill. I promise you it's one or more of the above. Even in a winning streak his moron-ity shines through.

I don't think I'm going to run out and get me a Jacon Niggemeyer jersey. What an unfortunate name.

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).