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

Marshall Plan Works to Perfection at Fitch

Brandon Watson (signed yesterday after getting released by the White Sox earlier in the week) doubled, tripled, and collected two RBI, Fernando Perez (just demoted from big league camp) singled, doubled, scored a run, and knocked-in two others, and Blake Lalli tripled and singled, scored a run, and drove-in another, helping the Iowa Cubs mount a fierce five-run 8th inning rally to close a 6-0 deficit to just one run, but Watson was left stranded at 3rd when Scott Moore and Matt Spencer struck out (Moore looking and Spencer swinging) and Ty Wright popped out to RF, and the Salt Lake Bees (Angels AAA affiliate) hung-on to edge the I-Cubs 6-5 on Field #3, while over on Field #2, Cubs LHRP Sean Marshall (sent to Minor League Camp to get work) threw a 13-pitch 1-2-3 1st inning (F-9, 5-3, F-9), Ryan Flaherty and Rebel Ridling hammered solo home runs (Flaherty’s a towering 450-foot job over the “Green Monster” Batter’s Eye in dead CF), and Nate Samson reached base three times (a triple, a single, and a walk) and drove-in two runs, leading the Tennessee Smokies to a 4-1 nine-inning victory over the Arkansas Travelers (Angels AA affiliate) on Field #2 (although the game was extended an extra half-inning to allow LHP Chris Siegfried to pitch his pre-scheduled inning--bumped to extra innings when Sean Marshall arrived, and the Travelers scored four runs in the top of the 10th), in Cactus League Minor League action at Fitch Park this afternoon

LHP Brooks Raley and RHP Rob Whitenack followed Marshall to the mound on Field #2, and both had impressive three-inning outings.

After a work-out on Field #4, several players from the Boise/Mesa (Extended Spring Training) squad (SS Wes Darvill—just demoted to Boise/Mesa from Peoria, and outfielders Blair Springfield, Dong-Yub Kim, Xavier Batista, and Oliver Zapata) saw some late game action with Tennessee or Iowa. (Players from the Boise/Mesa Extended Spring Training group are used as late inning replacements in Minor League Spring Training games).

Here are today’s abridged box scores (Cubs players only):

FIELD #2 (CLASS AA – Tennessee Smokies vs. Arkansas Travelers)

TENNESSEE LINEUP:
1a. Brett Jackson, CF-DH: 0-3 (3-1, K, 5-3)
1b. Wes Darvill, PH-SS: 0-1 (E6)
2. D. J. Lemahieu, DH #1: 0-4 (F-8, 5-3, 4-3, 4-3)
3a. Josh Vitters, 3B: 0-3 (F-9, K, F-8)
3b. Blair Springfield, CF: 0-1 (F-7)
4a. Michael Burgess, RF: 1-3 (1B, F-8, K)
4b. Dong-Yub Kim, PH-RF: 1-1 (1B)
5a. Rebel Ridling, 1B: 1-3 (L-9 DP, K, HR, R, RBI)
5b. Xavier Batista, PH-1B: 0-1 (5-4 FC)
6a. Ryan Flaherty, SS: 2-2 (HR, 1B, R, RBI, CS)
6b. David Macias, PH-2B: 0-2 (4-3, 3-U)
7a. Michael Brenly, C: 0-2 (5-3, BB, F-7)
7b. Mario Mercedes, C: 0-1 (F-7)
8. Kyler Burke, LF-CF-DH: 2-3 (1B, F-7, 2B, 2 R)
9a. Brooks Raley DH #2: 0-0 (2-4 SH)
9b. Smaily Borges, PH-LF: 1-2 (F-8, 1B)
10. Nate Samson, 2B-SS-3B: 2-2 (3B, BB, 1B, 2 RBI, PO)

TENNESSEE PITCHERS:
1. Sean Marshall: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 13 pitches (9 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
2. Brooks Raley: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 37 pitches (25 strikes), 1/4 GO/FO
3. Rob Whitenack: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 37 pitches (28 strikes), 7/1 GO/FO
4. Aaron Shafer: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 15 pitches (9 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
5. Mike Perconte: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 9 pitches (5 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
6. Chris Siegfried: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 17 pitches (13 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO

TENNESSEE ERRORS: 1
SS Wes Darvill: E-6 – two-base throwing error allowed batter to reach 2nd base – eventually scored unearned run

TENNESSEE CATCHERS DEFENSE:
1. Michael Brenly: 0-1 CS, 1 PO
2. Mario Mercedes: 0-2 CS

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

FIELD #3 (CLASS AAA – Iowa Cubs vs Salt Lake Bees)

IOWA LINEUP:
1. Fernando Perez, CF: 2-4 (1B, L-5, K, 2B, R, 2 RBI, CS)
2. Brandon Watson, LF: 2-4 (4-3, 1-3, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI)
3. Scott Moore, 1B: 0-3 (4-3, 3-U, BB, K)
4. Matt Spencer, RF: 0-4 (K, K, F-9, K)
5. Ty Wright, DH: 0-4 (F-8, P-4, K, F-9)
6. Bobby Scales, 3B: 1-4 (K, F-9, 2B, 3-U, R)
7a. Blake Lalli, C: 2-4 (1-3, 4-3, 3B, 1B, R, RBI)
7b. Oliver Zapata, PR: NO AB
8. Matt Camp, SS: 0-3 (1-3, P-6, BB, L-5, R)
9. Jonathan Mota, 2B: 0-3 (K, 6-3, BB, K, R)

IOWA PITCHERS:
1. Austin Bibens-Dirkx: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 71 pitches (44 strikes), 5/5 GO/FO
2. Polin Trinidad: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, 41 pitches (22 strikes)
3. Luke Sommer: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 16 pitches (11 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
4. John Gaub: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 18 pitches (13 strikes), 1/0 GO/FO
5. Chris Carpenter: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 14 pitches (10 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO

IOWA ERRORS: 2
1. SS Matt Camp E-6 – fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely
2. 3B Bobby Scales E-5 – fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely

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

ATTENDANCE: 86

WEATHER: Sunny, with temperatures in the 70’s

Comments

I was at Friday's game against Seattle, and am proud to say I was able to get a small contingent of fans to yell, in the "Let's go Red Sox" style chant, "Let's go Rebel!" He got a walk, and our little section cheered loudly. It's the little things that count in spring training.

[ ]

In reply to by tim815

Submitted by tim815 on Sun, 03/27/2011 - 2:31am. Brandon Watson. Anything there? ====================================== TIM: Brandon Watson was apparently signed to provide OF depth at Iowa. Brad Snyder (oblique) and Tony Campana (unknown) are hurt and I don't know when they are expected to return. Watson is the guy who had the record-setting 43-game International League hitting streak in 2007. He can play all three OF spots, has plus-speed (he was once rated by BA as the fastest player in the Expos organization), and has proven he can hit at the AAA level. But he's 29 years old, so it's not like he will be expected to chase Reed Johnson off the MLB 25-man roster, although he could cop a September call-up if he has a strong 2011 season in the PCL. As things stands right now, Jim Adduci, Lou Montanez, Fernando Perez, Matt Spencer (who can also play 1B), Brandon Watson, and Ty Wright are competing for four OF slots on the Iowa Cubs Opening Day 24-man roster (with Campana and Snyder presumably starting the season on the DL and rehabbing at Fitch Park). Matt Camp (who can also play OF), Marwin Gonzalez, Bryan Lahair, Scott Moore, Jon Mota (who can also catch in a pinch), Bobby Scales, and Marquez Smith are competing for six infield slots (Augie Ojeda is out indefintely with back issues), and Steve Clevenger (who can also play 1B), Chris Robinson, and Blake Lalli (who can also play 1B) are competing for the back-up catcher job (presuming Welington Castillo gets optioned to Iowa at the end of Spring Training and is the #1 catcher at Iowa in 2011). Casey Coleman, Robert Coello (who has been stretched-out as a starter at Minor League Camp), Thomas Diamond, Jay Jackson, and either Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Hung-Wen Chen, or J. R. Mathes will be the Iowa starting rotation (Todd Wellemeyer will begin the season on the DL rehabbing his hip at Fitch Park). Jeff Stevens, Chris Carpenter, Scott Maine, Esmailin Caridad, John Gaub, Justin Berg, and one from among LHPs Ryan Buchter, Luke Sommer, Polin Trinidad, and Scott Rice, and RHPs Blake Parker and Jake Muyco, plus Bibens-Dirkx, Chen, or Mathes (if they don't start) will be the I-Cubs bullpen, with Angel Guzman beginning the season at Fitch Park continuing his rehab from 2010 shoulder surgery.

[ ]

In reply to by Paul Noce

Submitted by Paul Noce on Sun, 03/27/2011 - 12:01pm. Thanks AZ Phil. Does Polin Trinidad look like a future big leaguer? Just a LOOGY or more than that? =============================== PAUL N: I could see Polin Trinidad maybe as an MLB LOOGY at some point down the line. The problem with his ever being a LOOGY with the Cubs is there is probably no room for him at Iowa or Tennessee at this time. He has decent stuff but has all kinds of problems throwing strikes. I expect Trinidad to get released today, along with about 10 or 15 others (mostly pitchers).

Looks like a real over load of outfielders on the Iowa squad. Very interesting that they added Watson to the mix even though I wouldnt think he is anything but a roster fill.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Although I won't miss him much, I have to say--Damn. They couldn't get even a little bit of cash back for him last year when some team needed a swing man or some rotation filler? I can't say I really see why we're better off with three lefties or Mateo in the pen than with Silva until somebody offers us $1 mill for him.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

I think the mistake Mike Quade and Mark Riggins made with Carlos Silva was they should have taken more of a Leo Durocher/Dallas Green approach after his atrocious performances in his first few Spring Training games, telling him early on that he is pitching like crap, and based on that, that he is behind the other candidates on the depth chart. Instead, Quade and Riggins tried to stay positive and encouraging, saying all the right things, being polite, and what did that get them? Sometimes blunt honesty is the best policy.

Hendry releases Silva while ripping him to the press... http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/cbsports-cubs-release-sil… "You're looking at a guy who had a 14-something ERA from July 11 on, and came to camp with the notion that he already had a spot in the rotation." Hendry is now Fox News, using misleading information to make his case. Let's look at the facts: from July 11 on, Silva pitched in only 5 games for a total of 12 2/3rd ip. He missed most of the 2nd half with his heart condition. He had two bad starts in a row, getting knocked out after 1 inning each time. Then he threw 5 innings and allowed 1 run. Then 5 innings allowing 2 runs. Then he missed over a month with the heart problem. He returned to make 1 start in September and got shelled (again, after 5 weeks off). Then they didn't let him make another appearance. This is after he was 9-2 with a 2.96 ERA before July 11th. Bottom line, Silva was one of our best pitchers last season. It was a shock, but he had big league success in the past and let's not forget, Hendry tried to sign him as a free agent, so at one point Hendry liked the guy. Silva came to camp as a 9 year MLB vet with a large contract and a lot of success last season. Somehow he has a bad spring and absolutely must be jettisoned. It makes little sense. Garza has had a bad spring, Russell has had a bad spring, Koyie Hill has set a record for the worst spring in recent memory. All make the team (and Garza rightly so, spring training stats don't mean crap). But if they're going to point to Silva's spring training stats and say he had an awful spring, then Russell and and Hill shouldn't make the team either. I'm not arguing that Silva is/will be a stud. He was a pleasant surprise last year when we all expected crap and a quick release. I'm just unhappy with their manipulating of facts and using whatever supports their goals. Kenny Williams and Ozzie Guillen like to do that crap, smear jobs on players they want gone, and after they're gone. It's very low behavior and we deserve better than that, from both teams. If they wanted roster spots for young pitchers they should have said that. Not all this crap.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

FWIW, I read quotes from Hendry today where he said that none of the other 29 MLB teams were interested in Silva even though the Cubs were asking for no players back and were willing to pick up the lion's Silva-sized share of his 2011 salary. We shall see. Update: Turns out it was a Levine column and the source was unidentified:
The Cubs tried all spring to trade Silva, but didn't get any interest from any of the other 29 major league teams. According to a major league source, the Cubs let it be known that they would be willing to eat a large portion of Silva's $11.5 million 2011 salary. The source also said the Cubs were not asking for any players in return. However, there were still no takers.

[ ]

In reply to by Paul Noce

Bottom line, Silva was one of our best pitchers last season. It was a shock, but he had big league success in the past... 2010 31 CHC NL 10 6 .625 4.22 2009 30 SEA AL 1 3 .250 8.60 2008 29 SEA AL 4 15 .211 6.46 2007 28 MIN AL 13 14 .481 4.19 2006 27 MIN AL 11 15 .423 5.94 2005 26 MIN AL 9 8 .529 3.44 2004 25 MIN AL 14 8 .636 4.21 He last had "big league success" in 2005. His performance last year is basically an aberration, and the odds that he would have repeated his first-half from last year, after the crap he was throwing for the majority of the Spring, are very long. Cash is gonna have lumps, but his upside is going to be much higher and since the team is hard-pressed to finish .500, I say why not allow these "future anchors" to get experience now?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Nope. Really, my point is that there is not much to be gained in pitching Silva, compared to hindering another prospect's potential progress at the MLB level. They both will be about "equal" perhaps, but personally I would rather give the innings to prospects since the team is not going anywhere. And, no one lining up right now to put him on their rosters. Finally, yes we all know he went 8-0 for the first time in his career, but again, the "first half of last year" for Silva was an extreme aberration. His lifetime numbers, and noting the way he came into camp and on-the-mound performance, does not bode well for him coming anywhere close to this in 2011. I'd rather see a prospect fail, than Fat-Boy Slim, as would most. Guess I am not reaching you on this one. Meh...

I do like this comment from Quade: "If you're not willing to give [respect], you're not going to get it," Quade said, adding, "whether he was upset at Riggs or whatever, the one thing that everybody needs to know, this was my call. This wasn't Jim Hendry's. If you want to be irritated with somebody, this is on me." Nice to see a manager take responsibility like that.

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...