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

Playing Out Strings

The team, the economy and the schedule all stunk. This looked to be the year when the Cubs’ winning streak at the turnstiles would snap. fireworksBut, in the tradition of neighborhood taverns everywhere, ownership resorted to cheap beer and even cheaper hot dogs to keep ‘em comin’ in and now, with 12 home dates remaining in the season, if the current average of just over 37,000 is maintained Team Ricketts will again have suckered/entertained in excess of three million guests. Maybe somebody slipped the fire marshal a free pass to a skybox suite to get him to look the other way so they could cram the joint when the schedule called for it, as when the Yankees visited over a weekend in June. Suddenly the place holds 42,000+.

I personally visited only once, my lowest total in years. I came for an unveiling and stayed for the dollar dogs and free sunset in the bleachers.

Business remains good down here on the farm, too. Despite the smallest market in the 16-team league to draw from, and that they’ll finish in the PCL North basement with their first losing record since 2005, the I-Cubs are still running 4th in the league attendance derby. Omaha is the crown jewel of the Royals’ top-ranked farm system and leads its division while playing this summer in a brand new ballpark. Still, the Storm Chasers are 9th in attendance. Guess maybe the name change didn’t take…

Fresh from dropping the finale of a nine-game series with Oklahoma City [four here; five there]Iowa comes home tonight for the final stand of 2011. The only unfinished business is Bryan LaHair’s assault on Joe Hicks’ club record for home runs. Stalled for a few days at 36, he remains one short. I’d like to be there when he ties and breaks it before collecting his reward of a September call-up. When that happens LaHair might be the happiest Cub at Wrigley Field all summer.

Meanwhile the I-Cub website has already posted the tentative schedule for 2012. Shuffle the cards.

Comments

they say you can't really grade a draft until 5 years later... http://ht.ly/6fJMN Callis ranks Cubs 2005 draft as dead last says Mariners changed their mind at last minute on Tulo to take Jeff Clement (whoops). As for LeMahieu, the Cubs believe he has 15-homer power in him but he hasn't shown it. Even when he sizzled at Double-A (.358/.386/.492) in the first two months of the season, he hit just two homers in 50 games. LeMahieu is a gifted pure hitter, but he lacks the quickness for second base (he's much bigger than Altuve at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds) and the pop for third base. He looks like a tweener unless he starts hitting enough homers to project as a regular at the hot corner.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

That seems like two fair decisions. I am just so glad we held onto Pena, so that LaHair sur le Feu didn't get a chance to show what he could do. I guess they want him to break the record though... Over under on his big league PA's this year: 27

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=14855 11 disastrous acquisitions, yet only one by Hendry Jim Hendry’s credit card approach to roster building reached its limit in 2008 when the Chicago Cubs were not only the best team in the National League but the winningest Cubs team since Operation Crossroads. However, a quick playoff exit left the team scrambling for answers, and Hendry landed on precisely the wrong one when he signed Milton Bradley to a three-year, $30 million contract. Even setting aside questions about Bradley’s health (both mental and physical) and his reputation as a clubhouse cancer, what the enigmatic outfielder was likely to provide between the lines was unlikely to fix the problems his signing was purported to address. The Cubs were looking for a left-handed bat to help balance their lineup—a problem that the media had lit upon as the explanation for two successive playoff sweeps. The switch-hitting Bradley, however, had always been weaker from the left side. The Cubs needed to replace the lightning-in-a-bottle production of superannuated center fielder Jim Edmonds; Bradley could only play a corner, thereby transforming Kosuke Fukudome from a defensive asset in right to a liability in center. Mostly, though, the Cubs needed a missing piece to finally push them over the top; marketed that way, Bradley was probably less equipped to shoulder the burden of a century of failed expectations than any player in baseball. It was no surprise that a slow start for both player and team led to boos, recriminations, charges of racism, clubhouse fights, banishment, and all the other trappings of a relationship gone disastrously wrong. The epitaph for Bradley’s brief tenure in Chicago was a straight-up trade for the desiccated remains of Carlos Silva; the biggest indictment of Bradley’s stay is that the Cubs were pleased with that return. —Ken Funck

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I think the biggest mistake in that deal wasn't the player himself so much as that they didn't scout out what Bradley would be like when he struggled. It was also really weird that he couldn't make sliding catches. Anyway, we paid $10 million for his .264 TAV that year (0.7 WARP), and paid $16 million for 0.4 WARP from Soriano, so he may not have been the most disasterous acquisition on the team.

Rebel Ridling named SL hitter of the week rumor is Reds intend to play Yonder Alonso at third base tonight

Cubs in the 6th spot for the draft, Mariners and Twins just ahead of them at the moment Cubs 57-77 Mariners 56-76 Twins 56-77 Royals 55-79 Astros, O's seem to have 1-2 spots sewn up

SS Castro, 2B DeWitt, 3B Ramy, 1B Pena, CF Byrd, RF Colvin, LF Soriano, C Soto, P Wells vs. Torres CF, Keppinger 2B, Beltran RF, Sandoval 3B, Huff 1B, Cabrera SS, Belt LF, Stewart C, Lincecum P first run wins the game Cashner goes for AA again

Second year in a row that I haven't visited, and I don't mind at all. Last year was the first season I hadn't been I started attending in 1987. I did catch the Cubs in Mlwk this year (L), but let's just say the lure of new bathrooms didn't exactly get me scrambling for tickets. If I want to drink in the sun I'll go to a beer garden.

I can't believe that Wilken picked Simpson, when he KNEW he was going to get mono.

Cashner's one IP (first inning)...Tenn vs Jacksonville K. Mattison (.265, CF): called strike, foul, swinging strike P. Gran (.264, SS): called strike, Ball, Ball, Foul, Foul, Ball, Foul, Swinging Strike J. Negrych (.307, 2B): Ball, called strike, Ball, Swinging Strike, Called strike. 16 pitches, 5 balls. 3 strikeouts. No speed gun for AA game day. McNutt's night starts with 2nd inning. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_08_29_jax…

AZL Athletics OF Kelvin Rojas was pulled from today's AZL game after going 0-2. As a result, Rojas is the AZL Batting Champion, finishing with a .379 BA, ahead of AZL Cubs INF Gioskar Amaya (who finished at .377). The AZL Cubs played their last AZL game yesterday, so Amaya was stuck at .377. If Rojas had stayed in the game and made another out, his batting average would have dropped to .376 and Amaya would have been the AZL Batting Champion. No doubt Ted Williams is spinning in his cryonics container.

Feels like a McNutt goes 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 5 K, 3 BB Brett Jackson 1/3 with 2 BB, 1 2b and 3 Runs Scored and 0 K's

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Actual newspaper subscriptions have never costed $20 a month. I don't know where they get their idea for what to charge for digital-only access. It should be cheaper for consumers than what they pay for a printing press to print a paper and have it delivered to your house/newstand.

Bruce Miles on Wscr - Not bringing up bjax " due to adding him on 40 man" cubs want to wait until ST. Also don't want to bench Byrd might try to trade

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

guess it depends on what kind of month he has, doubt it will really matter ultimately with Byrd. if there's a team that wants a vet CF, with decent defense on a cheap 1-yr deal, and allegedly a good clubhouse guy, they'll come knocking either way. He's not gonna be netting any 4-star prospects anyway. I was speaking more of not wasting a 40-man spot on Brett Jackson quite yet.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Brett Jackson will certainly get an NRI to Spring Training, and unlike most NRIs, he'll very likely get a legitimate chance to make the Cubs 2012 Opening Day 25-man roster as the starting CF and lead-off hitter. I doubt that the Cubs would want him to be a bench guy, though, so if Jackson doesn't win the starting CF job coming out of ST, I would think he would go back to Iowa at the start of the 2012 season so he can play everyday. If B-Jax does win the Cubs starting CF (and lead-off hitter) job next year, Byrd could take-over the Reed Johnson 4th OF job in 2012 (if he isn't traded). One thing the Cubs really need to do post-2011 is acquire a middle-of-the-order power-hitting RF, and a Byrd/Colvin platoon does not meet that need.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

One thing the Cubs really need to do post-2011 is acquire a middle-of-the-order power-hitting RF Had to laugh at that one. The Curse of the Sambino continues. Anyway, I count 7 guys the Cubs could drop from the 40 man without affecting the ML team. It would be nice if Jackson had some experience against MLB pitching before being handed a job. It's also possible a new savy GM tries to stow him in AAA for two months to postpone his arb clock.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Agreed it would be nice if Jackson got some experience against MLB pitching. Wouldn't bringing him up Sept 1 would do just that...giving him 15-20 games to get his feet wet a little. Then coming into spring, if he played well he could be the CF. Should the Cubs really be worried about the arb clock with Jackson? It's not like he's 19 and in Hi-A ball....

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

he just turned 23, odds are the best years of his career are going to be from 2015-2019...best thing for an organization is to make sure he's a Cub then and as cheap as possible. I'm in no rush especially on a guy I think will need a big adjustment period. Also, Q-Ball won't play him much. If I really thought he'd play everyday, i personally would be fine with a call-up. Better to ship him back to AA to play in the playoffs and see how he plays in spring training (in which he struggled badly last year).

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

.269/.345/.462 is struggling badly Rob? 26 at bats, 3 Walks/4 K's, 2 doubles, 1 HR. Well whatever...I'd rather see him get a shot next year than another year of 100 OPS+ from a 30 yr old+ stopgap OF. It's not like the Cubs are going anywhere in 2012-2013...may as well see what you've got on the farm. I agree...sadly, that Q-ball would rather get Johnson and Byrd their time.and DeWitt in OF before playing Jackson regularly.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

my bad then, must have been thinking of someone else... I'd rather see him get a shot next year than another year of 100 OPS+ from a 30 yr old+ stopgap OF. It's not like the Cubs are going anywhere in 2012-2013...may as well see what you've got on the farm. a line of thinking I don't quite understand, if you're certain they're not going to compete next year, isn't it best to maximize the arbitration and service time of one of the very few prospects that could be there when they are ready to compete? as we all learned under Hendry, this shit adds up and 2-3 months of Jackson in 2012 won't matter one damn bit if you've predetermined they're not going anywhere next season

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I wonder if the Blue Jays would be interested in a Colvin for Travis Snider swap? Both guys have had terrible years offensively. Colvin is older but has 2 more option years. Colvin is the better defender. Snider has much greater offensive upside. Maybe Colvin and John Gaub for Snider?

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Tue, 08/30/2011 - 12:20pm. Looks like he's about average for his career in Right field. He's been yo-yo'd back in forth for 4 years now in Toronto. So He should be out of options at the beginning of next year. Good buy low guy. ==================================== DR AARON B: Travis Snider will still have one minor league option year left next year.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

I think it's likely that Brett Jackson will play in the AFL this year. He was initially assigned to the Mesa Solar Sox (AFL) last year, but (along with RHP Chris Archer) he got diverted to Team USA and played in the Pan-Am Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico, and then he developed a leg infection once he finally did arrive in Mesa, so he was sent home.

on how Aramis is not everything that is wrong with the Cubs http://www.csnchicago.com/08/30/11/Cubs-see-another-side-of-Aramis-Rami… Lou Piniella made a point to run things by his third baseman when he wanted a veteran perspective. Ramirez has done enough behind the scenes – particularly among the Latin players – that Carlos Marmol once asked Ramirez to be the godfather to his daughter. Castro credits Ramirez for helping him develop into an All-Star shortstop. “That Hollandsworth thing,” Ramirez said. “I can’t control what guys like him think about me. What I can control is what the guys in here think about me, especially the young guys that I try to help. Some of the stuff – you guys (in the media) or the fans don’t know about it. It’s just inside the clubhouse.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

The media, not to mention the fans, also seem to forget that because of injuries the Cubs brass actually asked both Ramirez and Soriano to take it easy running the bases in order to keep them in the lineup. The two of them have licenses to "loaf." You can look it up--but you may need to pay for the archived articles.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Ricketts has had his good and bad moments. The baseball guy watching my baseball guy watching my baseball guy thing was a low point, for example, or when he said 'if we had a strategy we wouldn't tell the media...", or his delay in firing Hendry could be seen as a low point (on the other hand you don't want management to act fickle and fire guys on a whim) But in my opinion he's handled the Wrigley Field public fund pursuit brilliantly. He refused the "pony up the money or we're leaving" strategy by committing to stay in Wrigleyville. The sports radio world had a fit about this (at least WSCR), but it's not wise to make enemies and false threats. No one would believe the Cubs would move. Instead, Ricketts pulled strings in the form of Bud Selig and the possible 2013 All-Star game which would bring money into Chicago, but not before improvements are made. I assume J.K. Walters is being brought in to manage the politics & PR of the Wrigley Field improvements & public funds. All things considered, I grade Ricketts a B- so far and I would say I'm happy with him. His GM hire will be very telling. Unfortunately it sounds like he wants a computer nerd rather than a baseball person. I hope they get a legit baseball guy.

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In reply to by Ryno

Ricketts pulled strings in the form of Bud Selig and the possible 2013 All-Star game which would bring money into Chicago Wasn't this story already debunked? Actually... just read the story that you linked to, which basically debunks it (i.e. "the National League hosts the midsummer event in odd-numbered years").

added a draft pick standings sidebar on the right below the twitter feed box

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

fwiw, i dunno anyone who likes him long term...esp. in the bigs. he knocked a lot of linedrives off the short wall in durham, though...doubles power and nothing more. hell, you can probably just look at his numbers alone and tell there's not a lot going on there except a utility bench guy...shame his K numbers are so high, you want a guy off the bench who can put the ball in play a bit more.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

fwiw, i talk to guys who see pretty much every game he plays...the home games more-so. the TB minor league organization is silently being what "moneyball" is supposed to be. they use scouting and technology as a tool to battle BOS/NYY. not like everything is pure open/shut science, though...no one knows for sure what anyone's got. he's just not got the power to do it everyday at 3rd/LF...not like he'd be doing anything at 3rd with TB, though. if he could cut those swings-and-misses he'd be ka-ching bench. he'll probably be up with TB on the bench next year, fwiw.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

btw...canzler is a VERY likable guy. i've not met him...i've been a medical shut-in all summer. he's going to make it to the bigs and get a chance to show something for someone...it just might not be in a starter role. he's a great guy to have around the clubhouse and he makes time for the community. he also makes it look/seem very easy and has a wonderful proud family.

technology being used by baseball teams and how the Ipad is being used http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6908844/information-age-changing-way-… It makes you wonder why more teams don't devise defenses the way the Rays do. They employ so many unique shifts on so many hitters that 120 more balls in play have been hit into one of their shifts over the last two seasons than any other team in baseball, according to Baseball Info Solutions. Think it's some kind of fluke that they've also "saved" many more runs this year than any other team in baseball? They're currently up to 62 runs saved, Baseball Info Solutions reports. The next-closest team, the Angels, is at 34.

I haven't completly given up on Vitters, but I think he went from a top prospect to just a prospect. My definition of prospect is someone that could potentionally play in the majors, even as a regular, but not much produciton is expected. Average player as his potential, if he reaches 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.