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 May Put "GO" in Chicago, but A's Put "GO" in Papago

Making his second injury rehab appearance in four days, Todd Wellemeyer threw two perfect innings (31 pitches – 17 strikes) with three strikeouts (all swinging), but the EXST Athletics scored at least one run off each of the other four EXST Cubs pitchers who followed en route to a 7-2 victory in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Connie Mack Field at the Papago Park Baseball Complex in Phoenix this morning.

The game was extended an extra inning to allow Cubs and A's pitchers to get their scheduled work.

Wellemeyer missed most of Spring Training with a sore hip, and he had indicated that he might even consider retiring if the pain persisted. But with the way he has thrown (so far) in his first two Extended Spring Training rehab outings, I think he probably made the right decision when he chose to keep pitching. He still throws hard, and while he may not be an “ace” (or anything close to one), he certainly isn’t any worse than a lot of other pitchers (including some pitching for the Cubs) who are throwing in MLB games these days.

21-year old RHP Su-Min Jung followed Wellemeyer to the mound, and while he was hit fairly hard at times (allowing three runs—two earned--on three singles, a double, and a triple), the Korean youngster was able to throw three innings and close to 60 pitches, so he could be about ready to complete his rehab assignment and get moved up to either Peoria or Daytona, if the Cubs choose to do so.

RHP Austin Reed (Cubs 2010 12th round draft pick out of Rancho Cucamonga HS - Rancho Cucamonga, CA) had a poor outing, walking five A’s hitters in just two innings (throwing 48 pitches, but only 22 strikes). The 19-year old Reed has electric stuff, but he also occasionally suffers from bouts of wildness, as was the case today.

The Cubs scoring consisted entirely of a Jesus Morelli solo HR (his 2nd HR of EXST), and an Oliver Zapata triple followed by an RBI GO.

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

LINEUP:
1. Jose Valdez, CF-DH: 2-4 (3-1, 1B, K, 1B)
2. Oliver Zapata, RF-CF: 1-4 (F-8, F-8, 3B, K, R)
3. Pin-Chieh Chen, 2B: 0-3 (BB, 3-U, 4-3, 4-3, RBI, SB)
4. Dong-Yub Kim, DH #1: 1-4 (5-3, K, 2B, K)
5. Jesus Morelli, LF: 1-3 (BB, HR, F-9, 5-3, R, RBI)
6. Dustin Geiger, 3B: 1-4 (F-8, 5-3, K, 1B)
7. Max Kwan, DH #2: 1-3 (K, BB 1B, K)
8. Wilson Contreras, 1B: 1-3 (F-9, 1B, 4-6 FC)
9. Hector Suarez, C: 0-3 (F-9, FC+E4, 5-3)
10. Dustin Harrington, SS: 1-3 (5-3, 5-3, 1B)
11a. Vismeldy Bieneme, DH #3: 0-1 (K)
11b. Marco Hernandez, PH: 0-1 (K)
11c. Gregori Gonzalez, RF: 0-1 (6-4-3 DP)

PITCHERS:
1. Todd Wellemeyer: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 31 pitches (17 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
2. Su-Min Jung: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 56 pitches (34 strikes), 6/3 GO/FO
3. Austin Reed: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R (0 ER), 5 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 48 pitches (22 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
4. Dustin Fitzgerald: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 20 pitches (13 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
5. Casey Harman: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 30 pitches (20 strikes)

ERRORS: 2
1. 3B Dustin Geiger E5 – throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely – eventually scored unearned run
2. LF Jesus Morelli E7 – dropped line drive allowing batter to reach base safely and runner who was on 2nd base to score unearned run

CATCHERS DEFENSE
Hector Suarez: 1-2 CS

ATTENDANCE: 21

WEATHER: Partly cloudy & breezy with temperatures in the 70’s

 

Comments

Brett Jackson's last ten games: 13/33, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 11 R, 7BB, 5K, 4 SB/2 CS .393/.500/.758/1.258 Not likely to be able to keep this up much longer. I wonder if the club plans on leaving him at AA until he goes to the majors or if he would go to AAA?

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Submitted by QuietMan on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 8:31pm DrewBoke (IL): Best case scenario for Brett Jackson, ..... a healthy Grady Sizemore? Matthew Eddy: I really Cubs Double-A CF Brett Jackson's well rounded game, but I think a Sizemore-in-his-prime comp is a bridge too far. I'm tempted to say that Jackson could be a Curtis Granderson type as a lefty hitter who's athleticism and defensive range might be a bit undersold. Granderson had similar over-the-fence power at Jackson's age. Oh, and the strikeouts are always going to be part of the package. =========================================== Q-MAN: As far as a speed/power/OBP combo with CF range, I think Rick Monday might be another B-Jax comp (for us old fart Cub fans).

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

And if it gets to the point sometime soon where the Cubs decide Brett Jackson is ready to play CF and hit lead-off in MLB, and that neither Jackson nor Marlon Byrd have the arm to play RF, one team that does need a CF is the Washington Nationals. Ex-Cub RHP Jason Marquis is making about the same salary as Byrd in 2011 ($7.5M for Marquis and $5.5M for Byrd), and the Cubs actually do need a proven #5 starter. The Nats would get Byrd for about the same salary ($6.5M) in 2012 as 2011, too, so there would be no significant increase in WAS payroll to retain Byrd through 2012, plus they would save $2M in 2011 payroll. Conversely, Marquis is a FA post-2011, so although they would be adding $2M in 2011 payroll, the Cubs would get out from under Byrd's $6.5M 2012 salary (which could be added to the 2012 FA kitty) by exchanging him for Marquis.

Ha gets a mention in Baseball America's Prospect Hot Sheet. Cubs CF Jae-Hoon Ha has caught scouts' eyes in the Florida State League with eye-popping numbers to start the season. He is hitting .403/.406/.645 through 14 games with a pair of home runs. He has not drawn a walk yet and is only 2-for-7 on stolen base attempts, but manager Buddy Bailey is pleased with the 20-year old's aggressive approach. "He's got one gait and it's always aggressive," Bailey said. "To me, it's the perfect thing for a young player. Players learn when they're aggressive." http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2011/… Brett Jackson on the list. ...The first of those extra-base hits was a fastball he roped down the first base line for a double, the second a fastball on the outer half that he dropped the bat head on to take the other way for a home run over the left-field fence.

I have started following the minor league teams (not counting Iowa) daily to get a fix for the prospect pipeline. I guess watching Byrd, Pena, and Soriano in the middle of the lineup and Coleman and Russell/Samardzija as starting pitchers will make you look elsewhere for baseball news. If nothing else this gets me bought into the idea of building the team from within. I think Jackson will be the CF next year and maybe if Colvin rebounds to last years numbers he could be the everyday right fielder, or Byrd could move over if they keep him. Assuming that they sign a strong FA 1B, the only open position spot is 3B. I think Vitters might be a long shot to take over but I guess it could happen. I don't think the team will give M Smith a shot even if they should. I wonder when J Jackson will be considered for Chicago. You have to think that he would have taken the spot starts from Coleman had he been healthy this spring.

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.