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

The Hill at Fitch Park

Starting for the AZL Cubs versus he AZL Angels at Fitch Park Field #3 this morning, Rich Hill worked five shutout innings (68 pitches, 47 strikes, 8/0 GO/FO), allowing three hits (all three singles) and a walk, with five strikeouts. He really had his roundhouse curve and efficient two-seamer working today, as he went to a three ball count on only two of the 17 Angels hitters he faced.

Hill was supposed to start yesterday's game versus the AZL Rangers, but the game was canceled due to wet grounds (a severe monsoon storm hit the Phoenix area Thursday night and Fitch Park was still flooded Friday morning).

If he doesn't get promoted to Iowa this coming week, his next AZL start should be Thursday at Fitch Park versus the AZL Padres. If he does stay in Arizona for one more start, it's possible that Hill will rejoin the Iowa Cubs when the I-Cubs play at Tucson the week of July 21st (the same week the Cubs play the Diamondbacks in Phoenix).  

Coupled with his previous outing last Sunday when he worked four innings of one hit ball with six K, Hill has now gone 9 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB and 11 K over his last two outings since modifying his delivery under the auspices of Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator Mark Riggins and AZL Cubs Pitching Coach Rick Tronerud.       

Hill almost certainly could have gone longer today, but there is a limit of five innings or 75 pitches (whichever comes first) for AZL pitchers, including rehabbers.

Hill left with a 3-0 lead after five innings, and the AZL Cubs managed to just barely hang-on for a 6-5 victory.

2008 20th round draft pick LF Jericho Jones (Louisiana Tech) had three more hits (he's now hitting 452/500/690) before leaving the game with cramps. (Jones is a slow runner, but he sure can hit). Matt Cerda (4th round pick out of Oceanside HS) reached base three times on two singles and a walk and scored three runs, and Nelson Perez hit a monster solo HR over the right-centerfield fence.

Cerda, who hasn't been a full-time catcher since his Little League days, has made great strides behind the plate since arriving at Fitch Park last month, working daily with player-coach (mentor) Danny Fatheree, who was Kerry Wood's catcher in HS. 

At the plate, Cerda is an advanced hitter with an eagle eye at the plate, especially for a kid one month removed from high school. He reminds me of a young left-handed hitting version of Craig Biggio.  

Ryan Acosta, Toby Matchulat, Carlos Rojas, and Luke Sommer followed Rich Hill to the mound, but only Sommer (who was an outfielder as recently as two months ago) was effective, earning the save with 1-1/3 innings of shutout relief. Acosta allowed three runs in the 6th and left the game with one out in the top of the 7th with an injury (exact nature unknown). 

In AZL roster news, the Cubs have signed their fourth Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) and first NDFA position player of 2008, IF-OF-C Pat Mahoney (University of Connecticut).

A 22-year old right-handed hitter from Des Moines, Mahoney is the younger brother of ex-Cubs and ex-Iowa catcher Mike Mahoney. The younger Mahoney was originally an infielder, but was converted to catcher in his senior year at UConn, and I would expect him to serve as a "super-sub" utility player for the AZL Cubs. He supposedly can play just about anywhere.

Comments

I still think that Hill returns to the Cubs before this season is over, and starting for the Cubs down the stretch. Z Harden Dempster Lilly Hill That is pretty damn good.

That would be quite the comeback if Hill comes back to start for the Cubs..the question is will he be any better than Marquis? I'm intersted to see how he does in alot higher levels than Arizona Rookie League.

[ ]

In reply to by 10man

Sure the 'old Hill' could get major league hitters out and was better than Marquis. From what I understand he was totally changed his delivery? Thats not a minor change that you can just put him right back in there. Maybe he can come back like nothing ever happened, but I don't see that scenario as likely.

AZ Phil, I read in the Des Moines Register that the plan for Mahoney was to have him head to Boise soon. Any word on the arrival of Cashner or Shafer? Thanks for the report, it's great to see something optimistic to follow up on the box score.

AZ Phil: What's the latest on Angel Guzman? Is he close to a rehab assignment yet? Thanks.

Submitted by Hagsag on Sat, 07/12/2008 - 3:36pm.

Phil, Is Rafael Dolis close to throwing in some games?

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

HAGSAG: Dolis was supposed to pitch in an AZL game a couple of weeks ago but he got shut down again. He is at Fitch Park rehabbing from 2007 TJS, but his problems this year are all shoulder-related. I don't know when or if he will be getting into any AZL game action.

Submitted by Timmer on Sat, 07/12/2008 - 3:48pm.

AZ Phil: What's the latest on Angel Guzman? Is he close to a rehab assignment yet? Thanks.

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

TIMMER: Angel Guzman probably could have gone out on a minor league rehab six weeks ago, but the Cubs are apparently waiting until at least July 14th.

If they start the rehab no earlier than July 14th, and if he spends the maximum 30 days on the rehab assignment, and then he spends no more than 19 days on optional assignment to the minors, and then gets recalled on September 1st, his 4th minor league option will be preserved for 2009.

If he were to begin his minor league rehab earlier than July 14th, it would mean the Cubs would have to add him to their 25-man roster prior to September 1st, or else Guzman will be out of minor league options in 2009.

And I suspect the Cubs want to keep that last minor league option in their pocket for next season, in case Gooz isn't ready coming out of Spring Training or in case the Cubs get caught in a roster numbers crunch. 

Submitted by Raisin101 on Sat, 07/12/2008 - 3:45pm.

AZ Phil, I read in the Des Moines Register that the plan for Mahoney was to have him head to Boise soon. Any word on the arrival of Cashner or Shafer? Thanks for the report, it's great to see something optimistic to follow up on the box score.

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

RAISIN: I believe Aaron Shafer is at Fitch Park, but I haven't seen him throw "live" BP yet. He's probably still throwing bullpen side sessions, but he should be fairly close to being ready for game action soon.

Chris Carpenter (ankle) is finally healthy and he got into an AZL game this past week.

Andrew Cashner was supposed to arrive this weekend, but I haven't seen him.

Tarlandus Mitchell (sprained ankle) is close to being ready for AZL game action, and Kitt Kopach (2007 shoulder surgery) is throwing side sessions and will supposedly be cleared for full activity (including AZL game action) in August.

AZ Phil: Have you seen Hill do that sidearm thing he had so much success with last season?

As always, thanks AZ Phil! Have you heard of the Cubs signing anyone in Latin America with the July 2nd date passing? Seems like most of the news surrounded the A's, Padres and Yankees (and the bonus skimming by the Nationals and the White Sox).

crunch's buddy homered in the first. 3-0 Reds Bottom 1.

[ ]

In reply to by Wes

adam dunn just took gagne deep...huge shot. slo-mo replays show him chewing gum with his head slightly bobbing with the chewing motion. solid no-doubt contact...what a weird hitter.

[ ]

In reply to by Jackstraw

Going to be really interesting to see how Lou handles the late innings tomorrow. No Wood. Marmol threw 36. He couldn't go even if Lou trusted him. So you've got probably Howry at the end, Gaudin, Cotts, Hart, and the long guys - Marshall and Lieber. Not a lot of dependability there.

ha! walkoff 2 run homer for pitt...down by 1 in the bottom 10th. pitt wins. mil/stl lose. there was another walkoff tonight with KC beating SEA...it was KC's first walkoff HR win since April 05 according to their announcer.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Way to go Bucs!! Nice scrappy performance tonight. You listen to the Pit announcers on Glaus' homerun and they sound just as convinced as the rest of us that the game was over. Don't look now but the Cubs have the best record in baseball again. If we add a Hill that can once again throw strikes back onto this roster we're in pretty damn good shape heading into the 2nd half. Once Soriano's back I have a hard time figuring out what we need to trade for before the deadline. Maybe another lefty out of the pen? I don't ever remember feeling this stacked at this point in the season (no whammies!).

[ ]

In reply to by Mister Whipple

Hill could be that another lefty in the pen if he continues to produce. We are set right now in the rotation with Z-Harden-Demp-Lilly-Marquis-Marshall with Gaudin and Lieber strecthed out enough to be emergency starters. Marmol's struggles today are another sign we need to add a pen arm or two to be safe. We need another set-up guy and a LOOGY if the SU guy is a RHP, Hill could settle both roles if he is right and unlike Fuentes we dont have to give up two good young players to get him.

Arizona Phil......are they waiting for Jericho Jones to hit .500 before they move him up? The batting averages of the outfielders in Boise & Peoria aren't exactly tearing it up.Peoria only has 3 outfielders (with Johnston injured)

Submitted by Jumbo on Fri, 07/04/2008 - 7:36pm. With Marmol coming down to earth and the so-so performances of Weurtz and Cotts & the "injury" to Eyre - the bullpen's smelling kinda shitty. So if Hill came back into form it would allow either Gallagher or Marshall to go to the pen. Gallagher would certainly be an upgrade over Ascanio, though he's done very well as a 22 year old MLB #5. I'm sure Lou won't want to wait for Hill to prove himself before getting an extra pitcher, so if CC is a Brewer and Burnett or Harden becomes a Cub, the potential pitching staff is something like this: (If Hill comes back and pitches like last year, you can move Marquis to the pen. His family will starve, but Lou won't care.) Z Demp Lilly Burnett/Harden Marquis/Hill Wood Marmol Howry Eyre/Cotts Gallagher Marshall/Weurtz/Marquis Lieber Down to minors: 2 of Weurtz/Cotts/Marshall (or all 3 if Hill is back) Keep it up Rich. That would be a helluva rotation for the second half -------------- Posted this on the last Hill Update. Harden came true and Marquis and Hill look to be legitimately fighting for the #5 spot. Marquis was terrific his last couple starts and Hill is capable of pitching like a #2 when he gets it together. Obviously, if Marquis can continue as with his recent outings Hill will have to be out of this world to take it from him.

[ ]

In reply to by 10man

"So if Hill came back into form it would allow either Gallagher or Marshall to go to the pen. Gallagher would certainly be an upgrade over Ascanio, though he's done very well as a 22 year old MLB #5." Gallagher is not on the team anymore. BTW, Cubs got Kenny Lofton and Aramis Ramirez from the Pirates.

I said it before, and I will say it again... Send marmol to the 15 DL, let him rest up, energize and lets see what happens. I mean the old marmol over 15 games, accounts for what? 1 win? The new marmol would account for 3 losses. No risk as I see it.

AZ PHIL: Friend. Fellow Cubs sufferer. DeFacto scout extraordinaire - since the Cubs have now traded their #1 pitching prospect for a pitcher who is either brilliant, or hurt and can't pitch, can you please tell us who is the next in line? In your opinion, who in the minors, has the best shot of being a 1-4 slotted pitcher in the majors within the next year or two? I had thought it was Pawelek, but it does not seem like it will happen that soon. Veal? Still has control issues. JEff Russell? The Notre Dame wide-out? Not enough pitches developed yet. Kevin Hart? From what I've seen in-person, he has no confidence against major-league hitters. Gallagher at only 22 years old, had some terrific stuff, and a bright future in the majors. Please tell us what's down the pike.

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.