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

Soriano Will Play CF

Mr. Scoop Ken Rosenthal at Foxsports.com breaks the news that really didn't need to be broken. The Soriano center field experiment has received FDA approval and will be good to go starting in April. The man of few words, Lou Piniella explains:
"We'll know by the third week of March, another seven or eight games," manager Lou Piniella told FOXSports.com on Monday. "But truthfully, I can almost come to that conclusion now."
All in all, a rather flattering piece on our $18 million dollar man. Did anyone else know he speaks English, Spanish and Japanese? I knew he started his career over there, but didn't realize he picked up the language as well. And since Matt Murton's defense seems to be a hot topic in the comments and everyone seems to have an opinion on it, how about we hear what a pro scout has to say about it?
Matt Murton — a solid defender who is "vastly underrated" in the opinion of one rival scout — figures to get most of the playing time in left.
Yeah, "vastly underrated", you hear that, can you pick yourself off the ground after that scathing tongue lash? Just kidding around, but good to know that the "pros" share my viewpoint. I've always felt Murton is at no worse an average left fielder who may run a questionable route or two, but he's got above average speed to make up for it and he may not possess a cannon out there, but you don't need one in left field. Plus he's shown a willingness to work on all aspects of his game, he'll only get better. As spring training winds down over the next three weeks and barring any injury it appears to me that the only real question marks to be answered will be the fifth starter, the fallout from that race affecting the bullpen and the 25th man which seems to be a race between Angel Pagan and Buck Coats.

Comments

I have been looking at the spring stats, and considering how the position player roster battle is going. Rosenthal's prediction about Murton as the everyday LF, makes me wonder about Ward. Is Daryle Ward assured a spot on the team? He seems to be struggling so far this spring, and with Floyd as a 4th OF/PH/backup 1B, it seems like he duplicates Ward. Honestly, I would rather release Ward and keep a better athlete. Perhaps both Coats and Pagan could make the team. To me, it seems like Coats is being groomed as a bench guy, why not give him a chance at that. As for Pagan, I believe the Cubs would lose him if he doesn't make the team, and if Ihad a choice between retaining Pagan or Ward, that is easy.

they're not going to release Ward... Murton/Floyd will probably split time 50/50 is my guess.

Rob G - just wondering given the manlove you show for Matt Murton's defense how does Cliff Floyd rank compared to Matt Murton simply in terms of an outfielder???

I barely have seen Floyd play out there, tough for me to say. The defensive numbers that I use as a guide and scouting reports say he's below average, so I'll go with that. It's LF though, it's not that important as long as he hits like it's 2005.

Matt Murton is not a good outfielder, at least at this stage. I could care less what one anonymous "baseball exec" has to say on the subject. If it was my team, I'd be putting my $136 million investment were he is best suited to play. And that ladies and gentleman is in left field. End o' subject

one anonymous rival scout, big difference and I'll take it over your word and three times on Sunday. "End o' subject" Bahahawahahaha!!! Tell me your doing that as a joke?

Look, I like Matt Murton. I really do. He has some nice skills and I wish nothing but the best for him. But bottom line is that he is solidly non-spectacular in every phase of the game except on-base percentage. I'd love nothing more than for him to be part of the everyday lineup, but not at the expense of the $136 million investment playing the wrong damned position now, and especially when / if Felix Pie arrives on the scene. That is the crux of my argument that apparently I am failing to make in articulate enough terms.

'And that ladies and gentleman is in left field.' Remember when Robin Yount moved from SS to the outfield. What position did he play? Shawon Duston? Eric Davis? Speed + SS Arm = Centerfield, maybe right field. Not left. End o' subject.

Alfonso Soriano is in Chicago to HIT the FRIGGIN BASEBALL and be a premium deluxe superstar run producer. He also is 31 years old and being paid $136 million. To say he is a franchise investment, is putting it charitably. Especially with a gifted defensively Felix Pie lurking in the background, I put Soriano in left field. What happens if center field proves a nightmare for him?!? What happens if his fielding takes a toll on his hitting?!? I don't want these things jamming his head. And I also DO NOT want him in right field someday.

ST, It is not articulation you're getting hung up on it is evidence. If you were a lawyer arguing a case, it would have already been thrown out. You're staring down statistcal data, the Cubs organizations scouts, an oposing organization's scout and saying 'none of that matters, this is the way it is'. That is fine for you to believe that, just understand it's not reasonable.

'And I also DO NOT want him in right field someday.' That is obvious. Can you articulate why? Are you familiar with the concept of the defensive spectrum? It goes like this: Catcher Shorstop Second Base Center Field Third Base Right Field Left Field First Base DH The farther you move down that spectrum, in general, the less valuable you are as a player. So by championing the move of Soriano to the 7th positoin, you're also championing the devaluation of him as a player. So on one hand you're yelling that he has this huge contract, and then you're also trying to make the player less valuable.

Floyd once had a reputation as a subpar defender out here in Met-land, but didn't do that poorly while with the team; at times he could even impress. He might be slightly above average defensively, at best.

??????????Defensive spectrum?????????????? First time I've ever heard it put that way, but it's a reasonable concept. My argument is that defensive position numero uno in the "spectrum" should be pitcher(s). I would also argue that 1B should be ahead of CF. Who came up with this spectrum, or is it just supposed to be common knowledge from "experts"? As regards Soriano and his defensive position, IMO it doesn't matter WHERE he plays as long he settles in to a position and STAYS THERE. Joey

When Soriano was first breaking in with the Yanks, people referenced his ability and willingness to learn Japanese when he played there, as character evidence that he'd be able to cope with the pressures of playing for the Yanks.

[...] With Lou’s declaration that the Fonz has pretty much sewed up center field to start the year, I happened stumble across John Dewan’s Stat of the Week from a few weeks back. He asks, “Can A horrible second basemen become a great outfielder?” Who do you think he’s talking about? [...]

First off, I read that Murton ranked 3rd or 4th in outfield defense among all National League left fielders. Personally, I'd say his defense is currently average... but comparing a young guy like him to the average left fielder (old veteran who hits well and can't play defense to save his life) ... makes Murton look like a defensive whiz. I mean when you're competing against guys like Carlos (Astros) or Barry (SF), you're going to look like a defensive stud. Like RobG tho, I like BigRed and hope he does well. As for the 25th man... have you forgotten Cedeno? I figure that he's fighting it out with Pagan for the last spot. Coats doesn't seem to be in the mix to me at all. So Sayeth the God of WAR!

News seems to be that they want another middle infielder now... I had actually typed out Cedeno and Tomas Perez as well, but I deleted it for whatever reason.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • 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...