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

Yes, We Have No Banana Break (Today)

As many of you know by now, Thursday is usually Camp Day at Cubs Extended Spring Training.

And so it was in fact today, as the EXST Cubs first had some fielding drills & took BP on Fitch Park Fields 1, 2, and 4, followed by a three-inning intrasquad game on Field #3 (and with no Banana Break in between, either!).

As is often the case in the somewhat more-informal EXST intrasquad games at Fitch Park, the pitchers throw for one squad or the other, but the position players rotate from the field to the bench each inning or half-inning (whatever), without regard to teams (squads) or batting order.

Also, innings are sometimes  terminated early if a pitcher reaches his pitch limit for that inning prior to three outs being recorded, and innings are sometimes extended if a pitcher gets three outs without getting anywhere close to his pitch limit for that inning (and if pitch counts ever become any more important than they already are, this may be the way baseball will be played someday).  

Here is today's abridged box score (such as it is):

POSITION PLAYERS:
Kevin Soto, CF: 2-2 (R, 2B, RBI)
Junior Lake, SS: 2-3
Carlos Perez, 1B: 0-1 (SF-RBI)
John Contreras, 3B: 0-2 
Starlin Castro, 2B: 1-2
Cesar Salazar, LF: 1-2 (SB, K)
George Matheus, SS: 0-1 (K)
Dwayne Kemp, 2B: 0-1 (SH)
Nelson Perez, CF: 0-2 (K)
Bryan Jost, 1B: 0-1
Marwin Gonzalez, RF: 1-1 (R, SB)
Kyler Burke, RF: 2-2 (2B, 3B, RBI, R)
Drew Rundle, LF: 0-2
Jose Made, 2B-SS: 0-2 (K)
Alvaro Sosa, C: 0-1 (CS)
Robinson Chirinos, C: 0-1
Josh Vitters, 3B: PLAYED DEFENSE ONLY - NO AB...
(and Roberto Sabates was the bullpen catcher - NO AB)

PITCHERS:

SQUAD "A"
Rogelio Carmona
- 2.1 IP, 2 H. 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K  (1/4 GO/FO)
John Muller - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (1/1 GO/FO)

SQUAD "B"
Miguel Sierra - 3.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 1 K (4/3 GO/FO)

ERRORS (2):
1. Bryan Jost, E3, missed catch on ground ball that went under his glove.
2. John Contreras, E5, overthrow at 1st base on infield hit with no outs that allowed runner to score from 2nd base. 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Robinson Chirinos: 1-2 CS
Alvaro Sosa: 0-1 CS

WEATHER: Hot with temperature in the 90's, calm winds, no clouds to be seen.

ATTENDANCE: 2 civilians, plus the University of Oklahoma Sooners baseball team that had a work-out on Field #1 during the Cubs intrasquad game, in preparation for their opening game in the NCAA Tempe Regional tomorrow afternoon at Packard Stadium versus Vanderbilt. (Arizona State plays Stony Brook in the other game) 

Comments

For Mike C, who can't have a 'discussion' without cursing and insulting the other person: Paul Sullivan writes: "Until the trade market heats up, Piniella has to cross his fingers and hope that Micah Hoffpauir is a quick learner at the age of 28, Jim Edmonds is not just a recycled star on his last legs, and Daryle Ward can get healthy enough so he doesn’t have to use two players (Ward and a pinch-runner) every time he pinch-hits. Fukudome is no home run hitter and is not the kind of run-producer needed in the No. 5 hole." http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/05/l… Fukudome is on pace for an incredibly unproductive year as a number 5 hitter, 6 home runs and 60 rbi's. But Mike C, the child he is, thinks that's the greatest run production in club history and that anyone else in the five hole would do worse. Just ask him, he'll be glad to call you a "fuck", "piece of shit", or tell you to "Shut the fuck up" because he can't tolerate other people's opinions, especially when his is so blatantly ignorant.

AZ PHIL, I perhaps missed some updates, but what is going on with Josh Vitters? Has he been hurt, is that why he is at EXST? How does he look so far? I need some good Cub Farm System news, because alot of our top prospects are having so-so or worse years: Smardzija, Veal, Colvin, Thomas, Donaldson, Ceda, Pawelek....I don't think Ryan Harvey even counts as a prospect anymore. Our farm system is starting to look a little dry........

[ ]

In reply to by Q-Ball

I would say that there are bright linings to the Colvin and Thomas clouds. Colvin has vastly increased his walk rate, so maybe the low average is due to him slowly learning some plate discipline, which he'll need. Also, though Thomas numbers no longer stand out, he's still hitting a bit after being promoted all the way to Daytona from Boise (where he spent the second half of last season). Donaldson and Samardzija on the other hand... what happened there? (Samninja, what is so hard about learning to throw a breaking ball when you obviously have the arm speed to do so?) Veal and Ceda are doing about what we should've expected, but of course I too am disappointed that neither one of them is breaking out or getting a whole lot better.

AZ Phil, I've seen you mention Carmona throws hard and can be wild. How hard does he throw? What other pitches does he have? Thanks. Oh, and do you think Hernandez will be up with Peoria soon now that his suspension is over?

Submitted by Raisin101 on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 8:27pm.

AZ Phil, I've seen you mention Carmona throws hard and can be wild. How hard does he throw? What other pitches does he have? Thanks.

Oh, and do you think Hernandez will be up with Peoria soon now that his suspension is over?

==========================

RAISIN: Other than Rafael Dolis (who was shut-down with a sore shoulder last month while rehabbing from 2007 TJS), there aren't any extreme hard throwers at EXST this year. Angel Guzman and Julio Pena throw 94, Rogelio Carmona and a few others can throw 93. Mark Pawelek has got his fastball velocity up to 92 and is throwing his hard slider again (he had been told by Cubs coaches not to throw it), and he has gone back to the release point & arm slot that worked really well for him in HS, even though Cubs coaches had him change to a more conventional motion & delivery after he signed in 2005 because they thought the way he was throwing (at that time) would eventually cause shoulder problems. Marcus Hatley doesn't throw real hard, but he has an outstanding cutter (sort of like Kevin Hart) and his stamina is good (he's a horse).

Carmona throws a fastball, slider, and an occasional change. The problem with Carmona is command and control, which is the problem with a lot of guys down here. Consistency from outing to outing is another problem. But when he's "on" his game, Carmona can rack up the K's. He throws hardest in his first inning or two (30 pitches) and then his velocity usually drops off, so he's probably more of a late-inning relief prospect than a future starter.

There also are a lot of pitchers at EXST who have one good pitch but no decent secondary stuff. Sort of like Jeff Samardzija throwing a plus power-sinker but everything else is sub-standard.

As for Robert Hernandez, I think it's just a matter of the Cubs waiting for a roster opening at Peoria. Last year, several pitchers went down with injuries at Peoria and Daytona in April and May, but there haven't been anywhere near as many injuries this year. Which is good for the pitchers at Peoria and Daytona, but not for Hernandez. But pitching-wise, Hernandez is clearly a man among boys at EXST.

When it gets to the end of EXST next Wednesday, I would expect Hernandez and Pawelek to move up to Peoria rather than go to Boise, with maybe Billy Muldowney and possibly Blake Parker moving up to Daytona, and/or maybe Alberto Cabrera, Kevin Kreier, and/or Audy Santana moving down to Boise. (That's presuming there aren't any injuries at Daytona or Peoria between now and then).

Thanks, AZ Phil. It appears Kreier is already coming back down from Peoria despite a couple good outings. Dae-Eun Rhee is off the Peoria DL and has been reinsted in the Peoria rotation. Kreier and Marcus Hatley look like probable shoe-ins for Boise's rotation. What about Harol Tolentino? You haven't mentioned him much recently but I know he throws pretty hard and had a few chances at Boise and Peoria last season.

Submitted by Raisin101 on Fri, 05/30/2008 - 11:29am.

Thanks, AZ Phil. It appears Kreier is already coming back down from Peoria despite a couple good outings. Dae-Eun Rhee is off the Peoria DL and has been reinsted in the Peoria rotation.

Kreier and Marcus Hatley look like probable shoe-ins for Boise's rotation. What about Harol Tolentino? You haven't mentioned him much recently but I know he throws pretty hard and had a few chances at Boise and Peoria last season.

============================

RAISIN: Harol Tolentino has been used mainly in one inning outings at the end of EXST games, so I would expect him to be either the co-closer with John Muller or #1 set-up guy at Boise.

Of course, a lot will depend on who the Cubs draft and sign next week, but AS THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW, I would expect the Boise 17-man (or 18-man) pitching staff will include:

STARTING ROTATION:
1. Robert Hernandez (although I believe he will be at Peoria no later than 6-17-08)
2. Mark Pawelek (I believe he will be at Peoria by 6-17, too)
3. Ryan Acosta
4. Kevin Kreier
5. Marcus Hatley

BULLPEN:
John Muller
(likely primary closer or co-closer)
Harol Tolentino (probable #1 set-up guy or co-closer)
Arik Hempy (arm strength still a problem)
Jon Mueller (has completed rehab but has been pretty bad in recent outings)
Michael Bunton (only recently back active from sore shoulder, not yet 100%)
Jake Muyco (converted catcher)
Luke Sommer (converted OF, was a pitcher in HS)
Jose Pina (rehabbing from 2007 TJS - will pitch only when the time is right)
Chris Huseby (until he gets his mechanics straightened out, he'll probably work mainly in simulated games & bullpen sessions, and he possibly might get some garbage innings, too)

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.