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

Cubs Drop Contest at Diablo

Matt Cerda reached base three times on a single, a double, and a walk, but there just wasn't much other Cubs offense on display, as the EXST Angels defeated the EXST Cubs 3-1 in Extended Spring Training action at the Angels Minor League Complex at Diablo Park in Tempe this morning. 

Three converted position players saw action on the mound for the Cubs today, and while RHP (ex-3B) Josh Lansford struggled with his control, 20-year old Dominican RHP (ex-SS) Gian Guzman and LHP (ex-OF) Ryan Sontag (2008 23rd round pick out of Arizona State) looked good, particularly Sontag, who worked quickly, fired strikes and punched out all four Angels batters he faced. 

Exclusively an outfielder in his college days at Arizona State and in his first season in pro ball at Boise last year (where he hit an anemic .218 with only five XBH), Sontag was a combination OF/LHP in high school (8-3 1.45 ERA), and he also pitched occasionally in his freshman year at Michigan State before transferring to ASU and moving the outfield full-time. So it's not like pitching is a foreign language for him.

But the crew-cut 5'10 200+ 23-year old Sontag hardly fits the classic image of a pitcher. A few stocky lefties have had successful big league pitching careers (1954 A. L. MVP Bobby Shantz was only 5'6 145!), but it is unsual to see a body-type like Sontag's throwing off a mound these days. 

Nevertheless, Sontag decided to give pitching a whirl in Minor League Camp this past March, and so far the results have been quite promising. He has pitched well in all of his EXST game outings so far, and he looks like he could advance rapidly through the system s a lefty reliever.   

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):     

LINEUP:
1. Jose Valdez, CF:        1-3  (1B, BB, 5-3, K - 1 R)
2. Dwayne Kemp, 2B:     1-3  (SH, K, 2B, K)
3. Matt Cerda, DH #1:      2-3  (2B, 1B, BB, F-8 - 1 RBI)
4. Chris Weimer, LF:       0-4  (FC, FC, K, K)
5. Juan Medina, 1B-C:    1-4  (GIDP, FC, 4-3, 1B)
6. Kevin Soto, RF            2-4  (2B, 1B, F-8, K - 1 CS)
7. Alvaro Sosa, C-1B:      2-4  (F-8, 1B, F-8, 1B)
8. George Matheus, 3B:   0-4 (E-5, GIDP, K, FC)
9. Robert Bautista, SS:    0-2  (BB, F-7, K)
10. Jose Made, DH #2:     0-2  (BB, 4-3, 4-3)

PITCHERS:
1. Tarlandus Mitchell -  1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
2. Josh Lansford -         1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HBP, 2/2 GO/FO
3. Cedric Redmond -     2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 3/2 GO/FO
4. Gian Guzman -          2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 4/0 GO/FO
5. Ryan Sontag -           1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Alvaro Sosa - 1-2 CS

Juan Medina - 1-1 CS

 

Comments

CLINT HURDLE canned by the Rockies. "The last straw for the Rockies was being swept at home in a three-game series by the Dodgers,..."

Lou will quit on the team before getting fired. And also if they fire Lou, Hendry would have to go with him (not a horrible proposition). But I can't imagine anyone letting Hendry hire his 3rd manager.

Anyone else notice O-Dawg's hitting .338 with 30 RBI in the 3-spot as a lefty second baseman that we could have signed in the offseason?

If Lou were to quit - Trammel takes over. IMO, things would have to get really, really bad for Lou to resign. Hendry would just write off the rest of the year rather than fire him. Unless Crane-less Kenny forces him to.

Name the team with the best record in the AL right now without looking it up...

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

correct, I was suprised. Blue Jays in a 9-game death spiral. Bring on Halladay!

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

When you asked I knew it would not be the usual suspects, and I knew it was not anyone in the central because I saw the other day that Tigers only team over .500 in that division. I'm betting on a sub .500 AL central division champ.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

I'll say just .500, or one game over. Tigers still have decent pitching, IIRC.

More likely than not, Lou chooses not to re-sign the end of this year. It would depend on whether A) How the team finishes this year. B)If the ownership can persuade him to stay on. C)How tired he gets. I distinctly remember the huge sigh he heaved when they clinched in 2008; that was a tired-looking man. If for some reason they win it all, he might just retire on top as well. I like Lou and hope he stays. Go Cubs!

So it looks like the Hill pinch-hit mix-up was probably Hill's fault. They were trying to call him back but he stepped in the batter's box at which point he is in no matter what.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

The protocol is that the umpire looks over at the manager and the manager points to the hitter, at which point he is officially in the game, is written on the scorecard, and then announced. The batter usually waits on the circle until the ump looks over and the manager points and then the ump will motion him up to the plate. This time, for some reason, neither the umpire nor Hill was looking back at Lou for the OK. Koyie just sauntered up to the plate and the ump started writing his name down, and he was announced - all while Lou was yelling at both trying to get their attention. The PA has nothing to do with it. The batter is officially in the game when one of two things happens, the manager tells the umpire (verbally or by pointing) that he is in, or, as happened in this case, the batter crosses the line into the batter's box. Once you cross the chalk you are in the game no matter what the manager is saying. So had Hill not stepped in the box, the umpire would have let Lou pull him back since Lou had not confirmed he was in. In the end it seems to be partly Hill's fault for wondering up there like an idiot, but also partly Lou's fault for not making sure Hill knew he might not be the one going up.

Andres Blanco and the D: Boy - I checked out a couple highlights from the last couple days: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4772263&c_id=chc Andres Blanco seems to be the most talented SS/2B of ANY of the current "scrappy" guys.As I have heard, wasn't he a #1 draft choice for the Royals a few years ago? If he could only hit consistently! However, with Fontenot, Theriot, and Freel not being able to either, I'd just as soon have him saving runs.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I haven't seen Andy White play defense, but I can remember the reputation for his skee-ilz way back when he was playing with Iowa last year. The strange thing is that he's surprisingly young-- only 25, which makes me hope that his much improved batting line this season is less of a fluke than it is a progression. The Royals called him up originally when he was 20 years old (for two years running, Blanco was one of their top 10 prospects). Looking at Blanco's minor league numbers at baseball cube, he's played most of his games at SS and 2B, and only 2 at 3B. This sounds fine to me. Let Blanco be the defensive player he is, and play him every now and then when Riot needs a break. I imagine if he can hit about on par with M!les (which shouldn't be too unreasonable), Blanco (along with either Scales or Freel) makes M!les and his 4.9 million dollar contract redundant. Hopefully somebody else will need him and we can turn him into another Chris Robinson or something.

They finally won one without scoring 4...about time. The probably could have easily scored at least 4 with just a little bit of clutch hitting, which this team is abismally bad at. Anyway one win at a time keep plugging away until Ramirez comes back. I heard Lou is going to give Soriano a few days off to rest his knee, so we could see Fox play LF over the weekend? I'll be happy with a split this weekend, but its easier said than done.

I'd just as soon have him saving runs. --- what I find interesting about Andy White is that he's a "switch-hitter" that only bats lefty. Hence he's fitting the 2009 Cubs profile of getting left handed. that is all.

and somebody shot me down for some reason --- old and blue and wounded? ...now that's getting to the very heart of the 2009 Cubs.

not sure this is 3/44 but it was in today's StL Post-Dispatch regarding the Cardinals interest in several third basemen, including this on DeRosa. Note writer Bernie M. says the Cubs are also interested: - DeRosa: He’s more affordable for payroll puproses than Atkins, Beltre or Mora. DeRosa isn’t the smoothest at 3B, but can hold his own. He can also play 2B, SS, 1B, LF, RF. That versatility is ideal for manager Tony La Russa’s lineup concoctions. The Cardinals are poor against LH pitchers and DeRosa could help remedy that. In his career, he’s a .303 hitter against LH, with a .373 OBP and a .481 slugging percentage. Great guy in the clubhouse. Loved playing in the National League. Is Mitchell Boggs enough to land DeRosa? The Cubs, Mets and Brewers are said to be interested in acquiring DeRosa. http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bernies-extra-points/bernies-extra-poi…

[ ]

In reply to by Romero

Cleveland reportedly wants ready pitching. Some say a starter and a reliever. One thing to keep in mind is that Cleveland isn't exactly out of it yet. Their chances are remote, but if some things fall their way, there's a chance. I wouldn't be surprised to see them try to add a pen arm to see if they can get it going. Failing that, then they might sell around the deadline. Short of it is, I wouldn't expect a move on DeRosa anytime soon. Some Indians fans suggest that they want a ready 3/4 starter. Much as I like DeRosa, I just don't see how he would net that, even if he has an outside chance at being Type A. A potential 3/4 starter? Sure, I could see that. I imagine a couple B-/C+ level arms in the upper levels would get them intrigued. Perhaps a Randy Wells and Kevin Hart (assuming Hart rebounds and Wells continues his surprisingly strong performance). It might be some different combination, but basically 2 arms on that level. I wouldn't go all out for DeRosa - he would fill a need at 2nd and a backup 3rd baseman, but I don't think that need is worth overpaying for unless something else happens to our team.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I'm still not completely sold that Cashner is a starter, but I was fairly high on last year's pitching heavy draft, and so far, it looks solid. Overall, our pitching depth is improving a lot. Shafer was a "hope he gets healthy pick", but Carpenter was a good gamble at that point. Hope his control can improve. Would like to see him at Daytona soon - not much else he can do at Peoria. I find it funny how a review of 3 picks from our draft doesn't somehow include Jay Jackson in there. As impressive as Carpenter has been in Peoria, Jackson's been that much more impressive and has arguably a better one-two punch than Carpenter.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    yeah, for me this isn't about who's better at 3rd.  it's madrigal, period.  for me it's about who's not hitting in the lineup because madrigal is in the lineup.

    occasional play at 3rd for madrigal, okay.  going with the steele/ground-ball matchup...meh, but okay, whatever.

    seeing madrigal get significant starting time...no thanks.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Yeah I am very disappointed Madrigal is starting. He has no business as a starter. He is AAA insurance, a back up at best. Sure his defense looks fine because he plays far enough in that his noodle arm isn’t totally exposed. It comes at the cost of 3B range.

    He’s garbage, and a team serious about winning would NOT have him starting opening day.

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • 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.