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

Arias Blazes Way to Victory at Salt River Fields

Carlos Morfa and Frank Hernandez drilled two-run singles, Reivaj Garcia and Josue Huma belted RBI doubles, Cristian Hernandez tripled, singled, and reached base on an HBP, and SP Michael Arias hurled three innings of one-run ball, as the Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks Red squad 6-3 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Monday morning on Whirlwind Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick east of Scottsdale, AZ.

The game was called after 7-1/2 innings of play.
 
The 20-year old Arias is an ex-SS who was released by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020 and then subsequently signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at their Dominican Academy. He features a blazing 96-99 MPH FB, an inconsistent SL, and a nascenrt CH. He will be making his stateside debut in 2022, and not including pitchers in the Rehab & Conditioning Group, Arias is the Cubs top pitching prospect at EXST.   

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 
CUBS LINEUP:
1. Cole Roederer, LF: 0-4 (K, F-8, K, P-2) 
2. Pedro Ramirez, 2B: 1-4 (3-U, F-9, K, 1B)
3. Cristian Hernandez, SS-DH: 2-3 (3B, HBP, 1B, 6-3 DP)  
4. Moises Ballesteros, C: 0-4 (L-9, 6-3 DP, 6-3, F-7) 
5. Rafael Morel, 3B: 0-4 (P-6, E-6, E-6, K, 2 R)
6a. Reivaj Garcia, DH #1: 1-2 (4-3, 2B, R, RBI)
6b. Brayan Altuve, PH-DH: 0-2 (K, 6-3) 
7a. Miguel Pabon, 1B: 1-2 (1B, K, R)
7b. Grayson Byrd, 1B: 0-0 (HBP, R)
8. Josue Huma, DH-SS: 1-1 (BB, 2B, BB, R, RBI)
9a. Christian Olivo, CF: 0-1 (BB, K) 
9b. Frank Hernandez, CF: 1-1 (1B, 2 RBI)
10a. Carlos Morfa, RF: 1-2 (1B, K, 2 RBI) 
10b. Flemin Bautista, RF: 0-1 (4-6-3 DP) 

CUBS PITCHERS
1. Michael Arias: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 BALK, 1 PO, 3/0 GO/AO, 38 pitches (24 strikes)
2. Joel Sierra: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 1 K, 2 BALKS, 1/2 GO/AO, 37 pitches (17 strikes) 
3. Angel Gonzalez: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 1/2 GO/AO, 34 pitches (18 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: NONE 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE
Moises Ballesteros: 0-1 CS 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's 

ATTENDANCE: 11 

Arizona 
Scoring 
Service 

"Just because it isn't official doesn't mean it didn't happen" 

Comments

Phil, any reason you can see why Roederer isn't in MB or SB right now?

Also, you wrote about B Altuve being a great athlete. What kind of hitter is he?

And what are your impressions on Chr Hernandez?

Just curious 

Thanks

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

Cole Roederer was used as a DH (only) in Minor League Camp (Spring Training) games last month and was in the TJS Rehab Throwing Program unitl fairly recently, when he began to play OF in EXST games. 

I suspect the main reason he is still in Mesa is because the weather back east is still somewhat unpredictable, especially in South Bend, which is where he will be headed once he leaves EXST. 

No reason to rush him. 

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

childersb3: Brayan Altuve is a high-energy athletic outfielder with above-average speed. He makes hard contract when he hits the ball, but there is a lot of swing & miss in his game. 

As for Cristian Hernandez, he is a legit five-tool SS, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up at Myrtle Beach sometime this season. 

One thing that might happen is the guys who are struggling at Myrtle Beach and South Bend could be switched with other guys when EXST concludes at the end of May, or maybe even sooner than that. For example, Cole Roederer and Pete-Crow-Armstrong to SB with Owen Caissie and Jordan Nwogu going down to Myrtle Beach (sooner), and maybe Cristian Hernandez and Moises Ballesteros going up to MB with Reggie Preciado and Ethan Hearn moving down to Mesa (eventually). Something like that.  

Of course a lot can happen between now and then, so we'll just have to wait and see how things develop. Not including rehab guys like Cole Roederer, Miguel Amaya, and Christian Franklin, there is no question that Cristian Hernandez and Moises Ballesteros are the top two position player prospects at EXST right now. Pedro Ramirez would be a distant third. 

AZ PHIL- What is up with Manny Rodriguez?  On his milb.com it has him on 7DAY DL, but as far as I can see (unless I missed it) he's nowhere on your orgsnizational depth chart.  Is it a minor injury and he's hanging out in Iowa or bad enough to head down to AZ?  He got a couple of games in Iowa before on DL

[ ]

In reply to by cubbies.4ever

cubbies.4ever: Manny Rodriguez is on the 7-day IL at Iowa. I have changed the Depth Chart to reflect that. I would expect him to be back down here at some point if he isn't able to return to action soon. 

Thanks for catching it!

I read Manny Rodriguez was dealing with an elbow strain, to what degree idk.  But elbow, IR, and pitchers are three words that are nothing but trouble.  I didn't know if he already made his way down there or TJS prediction.  Cubs don't need anymore TJS this year with Gray and Heuer already and Roederer, Amaya (why did he wait so long to have it), and Ben Hecht coming off it

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.