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

2018 Cubs MLB First-Year Player Draft (Rule 4 Draft) Negotiation List

7/6 UPDATE 

Just prior to today's 5 PM (Eastern) deadline, the Cubs officially signed their 31st and 32nd 2018 draft picks: 

Niels Stone, RHP (27th round * Indian River State College) - JC FRESHMAN 
Edmond Americaan, OF (35th round * Chipola College) - JC SOPH 

Although the deadline to sign most players selected in the 2018 MLB First-Year Player Draft has passed, college seniors with no eligibility left (and for the Cubs that would be just one -- C Hunter Taylor) will remain on a club's Negotiation List until one week prior to next year's MLB First-Year Player Draft, and Rule 4 Non-Drafted Free-Agents can be signed anytime up until one week prior to next year's MLB First-Year Player draft or until the player enrolls in college (whichever comes first).  

So the Cubs have officially signed 32 of their 42 2018 draft picks (including their first twenty and 23 of their first 24) plus three NDFA, with the possibility of signing one more draft pick (Hunter Taylor) and/or one or more additional NDFA at a later point in time. 
+++++++++++++++++++++++

LAST UPDATED 7-3-2018
 

The Cubs have officially signed three more players selected in last month's MLB First-Year Player Draft:  

Andy Weber, 2B (5th round * U. of Virginia) - COLLEGE JR 
Josh Sawyer, LHP (16th round * U. of Texas) - COLLEGE SR (REDSHIRT JR) 
Jake Reindl, RHP (17th round * U. of Arkansas)  - COLLEGE JR 

All three were assigned to AZL Cubs #1.  

This brings the total number of 2018 Cubs draft picks signed to 30 (see list below), plus three NDFA.   

In addition, 2018 draft picks RHP Ethan Roberts (4th round - Tennessee Tech), RHP Zach Mort (8th round - George Mason), RHP Riley McCauley (14th round - Michigan State), and RHP Carlos Vega (21st round - Southeast Missouri State) have been moved-up to Eugene.  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

7/2 UPDATE


The Cubs have officially signed their third 2018 Rule 4 Non-Drafted Free-agent (NDFA)

Caleb Knight, C  
R/R, 5'11 220, Age 22 
U. of Virginia 
COLLEGE SR 
Area Scout: Billy Swope 
COMMENT: One of the top defensive catchers in college baseball.... Won an ABCA Rawlings Gold Glove and was named Spaulding NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year while throwing out 17-23 baserunners (76% CS) at Connors State in 2016... Hit 404/508/670 with 12 HR and 67 RBI at CSC in 2016 and then 260/427/402 with 7 HR & 38 RBI, 12 doubles, and
48/55 BB/K and 26 HBP in 84 games (327 PA) over two seasons (2017-18) at UVA... Was class valedictorian as a senior at Checotah HS - Chocatah, OK...  

He has been assigned to AZL Cubs #1. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


6/26 UPDATE


The Cubs have signed another 2018 Rule 4 Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA): 

Brennon Kaleiwahea, C 
R/R, 6'0 210, Age 22 
Tennessee Tech 
COLLEGE SR 
Area Scout: Alex McClure
COMMENT: Hit 367/465/540 with 8 HR & 55 RBI, 15 doubles, and 36/48 BB/K for Golden Eagles in 2018... Spent freshman season at Washington State and sophomore year at Lower Columbia JC before transferring to TTU...  

He has been assigned to Eugene. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


6/18 UPDATE


The Cubs have signed their first 2018 Rule 4 Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA): 

Grant Fennell, IF-OF  
R/R, 6'0 195, Age 22 
U. of Nevada 
COLLEGE SR  
Area Scout: Gabe Zappin  
COMMENT: The 2018 Tony Gwynn Mountain West Conference Player of Year... versatile "four corners" player (1B-3B-LF-RF)... hit 389/466/562 with 5 HR & 52 RBI and 21/50 BB/K in 51 games (236 PA) for the Wolf Pack in 2018... 2014 Rawlings-Perfect Game First Team Honorable Mention All-American (California)...  was a two-way player (SS/RHP) at Scripps Ranch HS in San Diego... featured an 89 MPH FB off the mound...   

He has been assigned to AZL Cubs #1. 


++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Players selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft) are placed on a club's Negotiation List.

In most cases, a player selected by a club in the Rule 4 Draft will remain on the club's Negotiation List until either the player signs or until the signing deadline (whichever comes first), and if a club does not sign a Rule 4 Draft pick by the deadline (5 PM Eastern on the Friday that falls during the week July 6-12), the player is removed from the club's Negotiation List and becomes eligible for selection again in the next Rule 4 Draft in which the player would be eligible for selection. The exception to this rule is any college senior with no baseball eligibility left. This class of player remains on the club's Negotiation List until the player signs or until one week prior to the next Rule 4 Draft (whichever comes first).

NOTE: The Cubs signed all of their 2017 draft picks who had no college eligibility left, so they had no players on their MLB First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft) Negotitiation List beyond July 7, 2017. 

A player selected in the Rule 4 Draft will be declared a free-agent if he is not offered a contract by the signing deadline.

Also, any player eligible for selection in the Rule 4 Draft who is not drafted ("Non-Drafted Free-Agent" or "NDFA") can sign with any club after the conclusion of the draft any time up until one week prior to the next Rule 4 Draft, unless and until the NDFA enrolls in a junior college or four-year college, in which case MLB Rule 4 Draft eligibility rules apply.

A player selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft or a Rule 4 eligible NDFA cannot be signed to a Major League contract.

A player selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft or a Rule 4 eligible NDFA can be "Signed for Future Service" (contract is for the following season) if the player signs a contract after July 1st.

The Cubs signed 29 of the 41 players they selected in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, including the first 21 selections and 24 of the first 25.


CUBS 2018 RULE 4 DRAFT NEGOTIATION LIST: (updated 7-3-2018):
Nico Hoerner, INF (Stanford) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED 
Brennen Davis, OF (Basha HS - Chandler, AZ) - HIGH SCHOOL - SIGNED
Cole Roederer, OF (William S. Hart HS - Santa Clarita, CA) - HIGH SCHOOL - SIGNED 
Paul Richan, RHP (U. of San Diego) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED
Jimmy Herron, OF (Duke) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED
Ethan Roberts, RHP (Tennessee Tech) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED
Andy Weber, 2B (U. of Virginia) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED
Kohl Franklin, RHP (Broken Arrow Senior HS - Broken Arrow, OK) - HIGH SCHOOL - SIGNED
D. J. Artis, OF (Liberty) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED
Zach Mort, RHP (George Mason) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED
Derek Casey, RHP (U. of Virginia) - COLLEGE SR (REDSHIRT JR) - SIGNED
Luke Reynolds, 3B (Southern Mississippi) - COLLEGE SR (REDSHIRT JR) - SIGNED
Riley Thompson, RHP (U. of Louisville) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED
Cam Sanders, RHP (LSU) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED
Ezequiel Pagan, OF (Pro Baseball Academy & High School - Gurabo, PR) - HIGH SCHOOL - SIGNED 
Riley McCauley, RHP (Michigan State) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED
Tyler Durna, 1B (UCSD) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED
Josh Sawyer, LHP (U. of Texas) - COLLEGE SR (REDSHIRT JR) - SIGNED
Jake Reindl, RHP (U. of Arkansas) - COLLEGE JR - SIGNED 
Jake Slaughter, INF (LSU) - COLLEGE SOPH - SIGNED 
Layne Looney, RHP (U. of Richmond) - COLLEGE JR 
Chris Allen, LHP (College of Marin) - JC SOPH - SIGNED 
Carlos Vega, RHP (Southeast Missouri State) - COLLEGE SR - SIGNED
Jamie Galazin, OF (St. John's University) - COLLEGE SR - SIGNED
Hunter Taylor, C (U. of South Carolina) - COLLEGE SR 
Blake Whitney, RHP (USC - Upstate)- COLLEGE SR - SIGNED
Dalton Hurd, OF (Seattle University) - COLLEGE SR - SIGNED
Julian Boyd, OF (St. John Bosco HS - Bellflower, CA) - HIGH SCHOOL (signed NLI with U. of Nevada) 
Niels Stone, RHP (Indian River State College) - JC FRESHMAN - SIGNED 
Mitchell Parker, LHP (Manzano HS - Albuquerque, NM) - HIGH SCHOOL (signed NLI with U. of Tennessee)
Levi Jordan, INF (U. of Washington) - COLLEGE SR - SIGNED
Drew Wharton, OF-1B (Clemson) - COLLEGE SR - SIGNED
Clayton Daniel, 2B (Jacksonville State) - COLLEGE SR - SIGNED
Jack Patterson, LHP (Bryant University) - COLLEGE 5th YEAR (REDSHIRT SR) - SIGNED
Tyler Ras, RHP (Middletown North HS - Middletown Township, NJ) - HIGH SCHOOL (signed NLI with U. of Alabama) 
Miguel Pabon, SS (Leadership Christian Academy - Guaynabo, PR) - HIGH SCHOOL - SIGNED
Edmond Americaan, OF (Chipola College) - JC SOPH - SIGNED
Jacob Campbell, C (Craig HS - Janesville, WI) - HIGH SCHOOL (signed NLI with U. of Illinois)
Henry Anthony Vilar, SS (Westminster Christian School - Palmetto, FL) - HIGH SCHOOL (signed NLI with U. of Miami) 
Chase Hanson, RHP (Edison HS - Huntington Beach, CA) - HIGH SCHOOL (signed NLI with UNLV)  
Pierson Gibis, C (Wauconda HS - Wauconda, IL) - HIGH SCHOOL (signed NLI with Madison College)
Itamar Steiner, LHP (Niles North HS - Skokie, IL) - HIGH SCHOOL (will attend U. of Illinois if he does not sign with Cubs)

Comments

RHP Paul Richan (Cubs 2018 2nd round compensation pick - U. of San Diego) has officially signed and has been assigned to AZL Cubs #1.  

Several other 2018 draft picks arrived at the Cubs facility in Mesa this morning (or are presently en route as we speak) and will sign later today. 

The Cubs have officially signed eight more players selected in last week's MLB First-Year Player Draft:  

D. J. Artis, OF (7th round * Liberty University) - COLLEGE JR 
Riley McCauley, RHP (14th round * Michigan State) - COLLEGE JR 
Carlos Vega, RHP (21st round * Southeast Missouri State) - COLLEGE SR 
Jamie Galazin, OF (22nd round * St. John's University) - COLLEGE SR 
Blake Whitney, RHP (24th round * USC - Upstate) - COLLEGE SR  
Drew Wharton, OF-1B (30th round * Clemson) - COLLEGE SR 
Clayton Daniel, 2B (31st round * Jacksonville State) - COLLEGE SR 
Jack Patterson, LHP (32nd round * Bryant University) - COLLEGE 5th YEAR (REDSHIRT SR) 

Galazin and Wharton were assigned to AZL Cubs #2, and the other six were assigned to AZL Cubs #1. 

This brings the total number of draft picks signed to nine. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

The Cubs have officially signed ten more players selected in this year's MLB First-Year Player Draft. This brings the total number of 2018 draft picks officially signed to 27 (plus two NDFA), including 16 of their first 17 picks (see Negotiation List in original post). 

Any other signings that might have been reported in the media are not yet official. 

Cole Roederer, OF (2nd round compensation pick * William S. Hart HS - Santa Clarita, CA) - HIGH SCHOOL 
Ethan Roberts, RHP (4th round pick * Tennessee Tech) - COLLEGE JR
Kohl Franklin, RHP (6th round pick * Broken Arrow Senior HS - Broken Arrow, OK) - HIGH SCHOOL
Luke Reynolds, 3B (10th round draft pick * Southern Mississippi) - COLLEGE SR (REDSHIRT JR)
Riley Thompson, RHP (11th round draft pick * U. of Louisville) - COLLEGE JR  
Ezequiel Pagan, OF (13th round draft pick * Pro Baseball Academy & High School - Gurabo, PR) - HIGH SCHOOL
Chris Allen, LHP (20th round draft pick * College of Marin) - JC SOPH
Dalton Hurd, OF (25th round draft pick * Seattle University) - COLLEGE SR
Levi Jordan, INF (29th round draft pick * U. of Washington) - COLLEGE SR
Miguel Pabon, SS (34th round draft pick * Leadership Christian Academy - Guaynabo, PR) - HIGH SCHOOL

All ten were assigned to AZL Cubs #1 (presently inactive - must be placed on a minor league active list or DL within 15 days).  

The deadline to sign most players selected in the 2018 MLB First-Year Player Draft (Rule 4 Draft) is 5 PM (Eastern) on Friday July 6th, the exception being any player who has no college eligibility left can be signed anytime up until one week prior to next year's draft (among Cubs draft picks there is only one such player who remains unsigned: C Hunter Taylor). 

[ ]

In reply to by seamer

seamer: A lot of the college seniors selected by the Cubs last month got rather low signing bonuses (several received as little as $1,000 - $5,000), so Hunter Taylor might be holding out for more money. There is no urgency in signing him (he will remain on the Cubs Rule 4 Draft Negotiation List until one week prior to next year's draft), so this could drag on for a while.

OF Brennen Davis (Cubs 2018 2nd round pick - Basha HS - Chandler, AZ) has officially signed and has been assigned to AZL Cubs #1. 

So the Cubs have officially signed ten of their 42 draft picks so far, and all have been assigned to the AZL.

SCOTT BORAS IS THE AGENT FOR EVERY SINGLE DRAFTEE THIS DRAFT IN ALL OF BASEBALL. I hope the #MeToo movement finds something on that guy

How many this year's Cubs draftees have Scott Boras?  Bryant, Russell, and Almora already are.  I agree, he is the devil.

was going through other team's draft reviews and found this gem...

"With their 21st round selection, the Angels selected Christian Reyes, whose school is listed as "No School," as he isn't enrolled in one. Swanson said that their area scout in South Florida, Ralph Reyes, found the 23-year-old while he was pitching in a Sunday league.

"We brought him to a workout, he was up to 98 in our workout and we made him our Draft pick," Swanson said."

AZ Phil:  Is it any coincedence that the Cubs have signed 2 catchers as a NDFA, both being catchers of players the Cubs drafted:

Virginia - C  Caleb Knight, SP Derek Casey (9th rd), also Andy Weber (2B, 5th Rd)

Tennessee Tech - C Brennon Kaleiwahea, CL Ethan Roberts (4th rd)

Or am I just overthinking this...?

[ ]

In reply to by cubbies.4ever

cubbies.4ever. You're absolutely right. 4th & 5th round draft picks like Roberts and Weber would have been followed pretty closely by the Area Scouts that cover those schools, and so it makes sense that over the course of the season the scout would also notice and maybe get to know a catcher or another player or pitcher (especially a college senior) from that same school who might be receptive to an offer to play pro ball and who therefore could be a possible NDFA target for the club after the draft.

PHIL: What do you make of Jen Ho Tseng's regression? IS his control gone? Velocity? Having seen him once in AA on the same team with Schwarbs, Zagunis, et. al., I really thought he was a shining pitching star for the North Siders.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

E-MAN: When the Cubs signed Jen-Ho Tseng as an 18-year old in 2013, he was seen as a "high-floor" prospect with above-average command and maturity for a pitcher his age (he was a member of Team Chinese Taipei in the WBC in 2013) who was likely to be successful as he moved up through the pipeline, but whose stuff was just average (nothing special), and I think that has become apparent this year.

That doesn't mean he can't be a SP in MLB, but if he is it would almost certainly be as a BOR guy (like a #5). These kinds of pitchers are probably more-appealing to a smaller marker/lower revenue club than to the Cubs, so I would expect Tseng to maybe be traded or even perhaps claimed off waivers at some point in the near future. Also, there are about a dozen SP prospects in the Cubs system coming up fast behind Tseng who have higher ceilings than he does, so his value to the Cubs as a "high-floor" near MLB-ready SP prospect is probably not as high as it was this time last year.

Phil, do the rules allow for recently drafted players to negotiate a clause in their contract that reduces the number of optional assignments that can eventually be used from, for example, three to two?

[ ]

In reply to by jdrnym

jdmym: Reducing the number of minor league option years is not negotiable, but what is negotiable is a player who signs a Major League Contract (which of course would exclude contracts signed by players selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft, because a draft pick's "first contract" must be a minor league contract) could have a full "no assignment" clause in the contract which would prohibit a club from assigning the player (by trade, outright, or optional assignment) to another MLB club or to a minor league club without the player's consent, even if the player has minor league options left.

Although they are conflated at the normally reliable Baseball Cube, LHP Jack Patterson (Cubs 2018 32nd round draft pick - Bryant University) should not be confused with LHP Jacob Patterson (Cardinals 2017 13th round draft pick - Texas Tech). Jack Patterson was - NOT - drafted by the Cardinals prior to being drafted by the Cubs. 

AZ Phil:

Just wondering if you have any word down there on D.J. Artis.  He was HBP on the 23rd of June and we haven't heard from him since.  Thanks again for all that you do.

[ ]

In reply to by Hrubes20

HRUBES20: I wasn't at the AZL Cubs #2 game when D. J. Artis was HBP (I was at the AZL Cubs #1 road game at Fitch Park that night) so I don't know where on his body he was hit. Otherwise I haven't heard anything, but I'll let you know if I do.

[ ]

In reply to by Hagsag

HAGSAG: I haven't seen Andy Weber yet.

The deadline to sign most 2018 draft picks is this coming Friday, the exception being college seniors who have no eligibility left (like Cubs 23rd round draft pick C Hunter Taylor). The deadline to sign college seniors with no eligibility left is one week before the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft next June.

For 2018 Rule 4 Non-Drafted Free-Agents (NDFA) it's a bit different. The same rules apply to college seniors who have no eligibility left, but in addition, a 2018 Rule 4 NDFA can be signed anytime up until the player enrolls in college or until one week before the next draft (whichever comes first). 

Andy Weber is starting to annoy I'm guessing a lot of people, by not signing yet (or not going to sign) because there's a handful of high school kids that have yet to say no or yes.  My guess is they are waiting on the Cubs final offer which they won't know until he signs.  Personally I'd like Mitchell Parker LHP out of New Mexico

Those Virginia boys are trouble, Derek Casey turned down $900,000 to be drafted in the 4th rd by the Cubs in 2014, he said no, blew out his elbow, had TJS, ended up getting drafted by the Cubs anyway and got $130,000.

Do you know how much Weber signed for?  His slot was $317,600, however the Cubs only have $483,955 left and with his signing I'm not sure they'll be enough left to convince like Mitchell Parker to commit, given they can give Parker $125,000 without it counting against their pool

Today (Friday) at 5 PM (Eastern) is the deadline to sign most players selected in last month's MLB First-Year Player Draft. The exception is any college senior with no eligibility left. The Cubs have one such player (C Hunter Taylor). For those players (and for any NDFA who is not enrolled in college), the signing deadline is one week prior to next June's draft. 

AZ PHIL - Is there a talent level difference between AZL1 and AZL2? Since they seem to split the draft picks 50/50 on the teams or is just kind of random/position spot needed to fill?

cubbies.4ever: It's just random. The Cubs have tried to balance-out the two rosters so that both teams have what they need and so therefore sometimes players are moved from one squad to the other to accomplish that goal, but otherwise there is no particular rhyme or reason to the assignments as far as talent or professional experience is concerned.  

It seems the Cubs have stocked up on athletic outfielders in this draft. 

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal ground rule double!

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Close up video shows Steele saying to the Trainer "no it just cramped up"

    Hope so

    Ben Brown and not Smyly please

  • crunch (view)

    agreed and agreed.

    he walked off on his own, but we may not find out for a few days how this will impact the club.

  • hellfrozeover (view)

    Looked like a hamstring rather than a knee, not sure if that’s better or worse. 

  • crunch (view)

    steele leaves the game with a hamstring or knee injury.  sigh.

  • crunch (view)

    ...and a madrigal "non-error" leads to a sac fly for a tie game.  nice.

    having a ball clank off your glove, but still getting it count as a hit because it was hit hard is a nice stats gift.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    For sure. This lineup isn’t exactly stacked as is, and subbing out a Cooper or even a Tauchman for Madrigal won’t do it any favors.

  • crunch (view)

    the ESPN bottom graphic taking up 1/8th of the screen sucks.

    i only use ESPN during baseball season and i'm forced to watch a baseball broadcast designed to be broadcast in sports bars and betting parlors where the news/scores of other games is as important as what you're actually tuned in to watch.

  • crunch (view)

    morel triple to start the season....yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    LHP Blake Weiman appears to have been the last cut from the AAA Iowa roster. He is with the Tennessee group at Minor League Camp.