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 Use Long-Ball to Crush D'backs at Riverview

Jose Paniagua hammered a three-run HR, Shane Victorino belted a solo home run, Alex Bautista knocked in three runs with an RBI single, a solo home run, and a sacrifice fly, Wladimir Galindo doubled twice, singled, scored a run, and drove-in another, Yeiler Peguero tripled and scored and drilled an RBI single, and Erling Moreno hurled three innings of shutout ball, as the Cubs outslugged the Diamondbacks 12-7 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning on Field #5 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.

Francis Martinez blasted a grand slam home run, Kal Simmons cranked a two run HR, Jazz Chisholm ripped an RBI double and a triple and scored a run, and Jacy Cave doubled twice for the D'backs in a losing cause.  

17-year old RHP Jose Albertos (2015 IFA - Mexico - $1.5M bonus) struck out the side in a 1-2-3 5th inning for the Cubs, mixing a mid-90's fastball with a plus-curve to blow the D'backs away.  

John Arguello has game notes from Riverview Park at Cubs Den.

link  

And here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Ruben Reyes, CF-DH: 0-3 (6-3, K, 3-6-1 DP, BB, BB, R, SB)
2a. Shane Victorino, DH #1: 1-2 (6-3, HR, BB, R, RBI)
2b. Yohan Matos, PH-RF: 0-1 (K, BB) 
3a. Yeiler Peguero, SS: 2-3 (5-3, 3B, 1B, R, RBI, SB)
3b. Edgar Rondon, SS: 0-1 (BB, F-7, R)
4. Jose Paniagua, 1B: 1-4 (F-9, BB, 5-3, HR, F-7, 2 R, 3 RBI)
5. Wladimir Galindo, 3B: 3-5 (K, 2B, 2B, 1B, F-9, R, RBI)
6. Kwang-Min Kwon, RF-DH: 0-2 (3-U, 3-U, BB, R)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FOURTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDERF 
7. Vimael Machin, 2B: 0-2 (BB, P-6, E-6, BB, R)
8. Jonathan Sierra, LF: 0-4 (P-5, 3-1, 1-3, 4-3, RBI)
9. Alex Bautista, DH #2: 2-3 (1B, HR, L-8 SF, K, R, 3 RBI)
10a. Marcus Mastrobuoni, C: 1-1 (BB, 1B, R)
10b, Eric Gonzalez, PH-C: 0-2 (P-4, F-7)
11. Jose Gonzalez, DH-CF: 1-3 (P-4, 1B, BB, K, R, SB)

CUBS PITCHERS
1. Erling Moreno: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 4/2 GO/AO, 35 pitches (21 strikes) 
2. Aaron Crow: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/AO, 14 pitches (8 strikes) 
3. Jose Albertos: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 13 pitches (9 strikes) 
4. John Michael Knighton: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 2/0 GO/AO, 7 pitches (6 strikes) 
5. Eugenio Palma: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 HR, 0/2 GO/AO, 22 pitches (12 strikes) 
6. Jose Leidenz: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 17 pitches (9 strikes) 
7. Enrique de los Rios: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 2 WP, 2/0 GO/AO, 28 pitches (15 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: 1
3B Wladimir Galindo: E-5 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely)

CUBS BASERUNNING:
Wladimir Galindo was thrown out 7-4 attempting to stretch single into double 

ATTENDANCE: 11 

WEATHER: Mostly sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 90's 

Comments

K-K-K inning for Albertos, 9/13 strikes. How did he look? All fastballs, or did he get some breaking pitches for the K's? Is Moreno showing any hint of improved velocity? Phil, one other Q: John Arguello has said Hedges is an 88-92 control pitcher. A poster on his board said that Hedges had hit 95 on one pitch last night. Did you see enough of him this spring to have any input on his velocity? Was he built up and stronger this spring compared to last year, and do you think it's realistic to envision him having a solid-velocity fastball? Just curious. I imagine a guy who's pitching 2-seamers for location and movement might be routinely working 88-90, and sometimes up to 92. But might gun up a 95-mph 4-seamer on occasion just for the gun, even if not as a pitch he'd often use to get outs.

[ ]

In reply to by craig

CRAIG: Albertos was throwing both his fastball and curve for strikes today, displaying the best command I've seen from him so far. The Cubs have limited his outings at EXST, so he hasn't been stretched-out beyond one inning on a semi-regular basis.  

No uptick in Moreno's fastball velocity today (it's still 88-90 with an occasional 91-92), but his command was decent, and he did a nice job of mixing his pitches, working both sides of the plate, and changing eye levels... in other words, all the things he needs to do to be successful, but that he usually doesn't do (enough). No question Moreno's curve is his best pitch, very much like Bryan Hudson in that respect. Hopefully Moreno can build on this outing. 

As far as Trey Hedges is concerned, I did not see him throw any mid-90's heaters at Minor League Camp in March, and I did not note any significant physical changes, either. That said, a pitcher can sometimes change something in his delivery, release point, or grip that is manifested by increased fastball velocity (usually offset by reduced command). It's possible that Hedges can throw 95, but he doesn't throw that hard in games because he knows he can't command his fastball when he throws it that hard. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Thanks, Phil. Albertos at 17, and having gotten a good signing bonus ($1.5, even though as Mexican prospect I think his team gets half of that?), throwing in the 90's and showing some command of a curveball sounds pretty interesting, even if that control is only for a dozen-pitch sample. What kind of a frame does he have? Is he on the stocky and short-ish side (I'm recalling Fernando Valenzuela!), or somewhat taller? A lot of 17-year olds have projection, "when he fills out" projection. Would that apply at all for Albertos? Thanks for note on Hedges. Totally agree, fans often get excited about "touched 95", but pretty common that anybody can throw an occasional fast one if they throw a 4-seamer as hard as they can without control, and that often a guy's actual working velocity on the 2-seamer can be 5 mph slower. But your point that for pitchers, a modest change in grip or delivery or slot can sometimes have significant impact on command, movement, deception, and/or velocity. That's one of the reasons, I think, why it's much more realistic to envision a pitcher who's been ineffective or wild changing significantly and become much better. Whereas a hitter, it's way less likely for a hitter to change and improve dramatically.

Phil, With Mutton on the DL now, does Victorino finally get to Iowa?

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).