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 

 



 

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Rule 5 Draft 
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Game 2 Thread / Brewers @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

SP Jeff Suppan
SP
Ted Lilly
(2007)
12-12, 4.62
(2007) 15-8, 3.83
       
2B Rickie Weeks
SS
Ryan Theriot
CF
Gabe Kapler
LF
Alfonso Soriano
1B
*Prince Fielder
1B
Derrek Lee
LF
Ryan Braun
3B
Aramis Ramirez
3B
Bill Hall RF
*Kosuke Fukudome
RF
Corey Hart
2B
Mark DeRosa
SS JJ Hardy
C Geovany Soto
P Jeff Suppan
CF
*Felix Pie
C
Jason Kendall
P *Ted Lilly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sun is shining over Lakeview, The Cub Reporter made it through April Fool's Day without hearing from a single corporate attorney, and the Cubs are only one game out of first. A good day to be alive.

The veteran Suppan (5-5, 3.15 lifetime against the Cubs) matches up with the veteran Lilly (1-1, 5.09 v. the Brewers). When we last saw Ted in a game that meant anything, you may recall, he was having a temper tantrum on national televison.

Despite the outburst, Lilly was all the Cubs could have hoped for in his first season on the North Side, tying his career high in wins (15) and setting career marks for starts (34) and innings pitched (207). Germane to today: in games following a loss last year, Lilly went 9-1.

In the category of "Ted Lilly, 2007: Fluke or Future?" Rob G. points to this list at Baseball-Reference.com. It places Lilly in the company of other veteran pitchers like Jenkins, Marichal, Drysdale and Seaver; guys with years in which they threw 200+ innings, had an ERA+ of 120 or higher, and kept their WHIPs at 1.15 or lower in their age 31 seasons.

Finally, if you haven't picked a name in the "First Cub or Brewer To Tear His ACL" Pool, you might want to act now.

Comments

Ted Lilly Fan Club Super Computer (TLFCSC) says: 6 2/3 IP, 5H, 2 ER, 7 K. Ted goes 1-2 with the Nissan "Drive Of The Game." 10+ Babies named "Ted," 9 months from now. A very optimistic Super Computer, we like it! (BTW, We've played Van Halen's "Jump" about 1k times today)

the link about the fast Wrigley surface was an interesting note. I noticed on the Counsell double in the 10th that the ball seemed to jump past Pie who certainly looked like he didn't expect it to fly past him like that.

I'm watching the game on ESPN GameCast, and I'm just wondering - are they accidentally showing a game from 2001? How is Jason Kendall suddenly a doubles machine? And he's caught two guys stealing in the last two games. That took him approximately an entire season last year.

Also, for how deep this team supposedly is, why is Mike Fontenot the first guy off the bench? Replacing DeRosa's bat with Fontenot's when down 2 runs is usually not a successful solution.

It's way early, but they look sluggish just like they did for the first 2 months last year. I think Fontenot was simply chosen because DeRosa made the last out and they play the same position. I'm wondering how long before Soriano goes back to leading off to make him "comfortable" being that so far he is 0-season.

How about Fuku moves to the leadoff spot? Obviously it's a small sample size, but he's shown great patience and a good eye at the plate. Fuku Lee Soriano Aramis DeRosa Soto Theriot Pie Pitcher That way, Soriano gets all the meatballs he wants with Aramis protecting him, and we might actually score some runs with Fuku on base followed by Doubles Lee. Eh, probably makes too much sense.

Someone told me that Lou said after the game that he's planning on moving Soriano back to leadoff. Can anyone confirm this and did he give out any other details about how the lineup would look if he does so?

Jesus, they really look dead out there. When Lou starts putting on hit and runs to ignite a moribund offense, you know they're struggling. Oh well, at least Soto got going today.

Lou said in post game press conference. He's been thinking about it since the end of spring training. "His legs are feeling better." Theriot batting second. I would put Fbomb batting second.

says the Cubs told Z to chill with the caffeine btw... does he down like 5 Red Bulls and 3 Starbucks before a game or something?

...back on the DL with a strained oblique. He pulled a muscle in his last at bat yesterday against the Iowa Hawkeyes, so it's back to Arizona for two weeks.

had fitful dreams of us losing. this one i was at a party and daisuke matsuzaka walks out of a room with a beer in his hand and tells me too bad about the game. dream changes and im riding an atv through a forest and come upon a campground with a giant neon scoreboard that has our final being 8-2 brewers. got out of bed at 3:30 am to see the weeks leadoff homer and couldnt sleep after that so just kept up with the game, then went back to bed after the friggin throwing error by soto. SHIT!! fuck the damned lineup when are sorry-ano and aramiss gonna get that BA over .000?

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

This is idiotic--when you're the highest paid hitter on the team you should be able to man up and hit wherever it helps the team most. For Soriano, that's probably 5th. As a low OBP, power hitter who can't run at full speed because of injuries, he belongs nowhere near the leadoff spot. In addition, Lou needs to stop making hasty decisions. Let's not forget that Soriano is a very streaky hitter and that his recent 0-9 may have more to do with his streakyness than where he has hit in the order. Oh, and what's the team batting in the first two games? Could it just be that they've been temporarily over-matched?

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Yeah two games in and we are already moving around the lineup? I thought that was what ST was for to tinker with that stuff. And were just flip flopping #1/#2? Whatever... Last year Lou made the excuse that he didn't know his team and that was mainly the reason why he used so many lineups, not sure what the excuse will be this year. Get a damn lineup and stick to it. While I don't want to see Theriot or Alf in the 1 or 2 slots, just let's get into some kind of set plan here. If Wood has another horrible outing is he going to drop him from closer too?

I called the Soriano move above mid-game - whatever makes Soriano feel better psychologically seems to help the offense ignite. He doesn't look like he is running any better to me, my guess is that Lou is just using the legs as an excuse to move him where he wants to try him. I haven't seen much positive so far, but the outfield defense and arms are impressive. That strike that Pie threw to the plate was a hell of a lot closer than I thought it would be.

Good thing our stopper is pitching tomorrow.

Heading into chicago to see the game saturday, which will be the 5th game, assuming no rainout. With the offday can we except to see Z or marquis as scheduled? I'd assume since Marquis is on the 25 man roster, he'll get the nod. if they planned on skipping his start they'd have an extra pen arm, but what do i know. Looks like Hill friday and marquis sat. But i hope otherwise so anyone who knows better, let me know. thanks!

[ ]

In reply to by CPH2133

According to Cubs.com in the "Probable Starters" link. Marquis pitches Saturday. I am going Sunday, and Z is supposed to start. Sorry. It will be his first start sans-caffeine. We'll see how that goes...he could get pulled because of withdrawal symptoms.

You guys see the write-up on Yahoo! about A-Rod making more money this year than the Marlins are spending on their entire roster? While amusing, something isn't right about that.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

I wonder if Soriano moped around or even approached Lou for the switch. I mean he wouldn't take the field a couple of Spring Trainings ago when he was to start his first game in LF for Nationals.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

Theriot's OBP is about 30 or 40 points better historically in the #2 slot than at leadoff and Soriano has always said he's more comfortable in the leadoff spot. I like the move, but I think it's ridiculous we didn't start the season out this way. Fuckin' McFail.

I'll raise you one Dmac. While we're wishing, I hope that the winds howls in when the Brewers are up, and that it howls out when the Cubs are up. Of course, this would inevitably end up biting us in the ass, with the Cubs hitting several foul balls that blow fair and are caught, while the brewers hit several bloopers that get blown down in front of the outfielders, for singles....

I heard a sound bite 30 minutes ago in ESPN1000, I believe it was from today's pregame conference. Basically Lou said he doesn't need to explain or defend his changes, that it is what it is. T minus 10 to Lou blow up if they lose today.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

the guy became the first cubs manager in decades to refuse to do a press conference after a game...twice...the first time he didn't give them the respect of telling someone he wasn't coming out til people went to find him to ask him "wtf?" ultimately it doesnt mean crap cuz its just the media, but he's not as slick with them as some managers. they love it when he's in a good mood, but he can be a bit of a prima-dona on the media front when he's "in a bad mood".

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.