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

It's Burke's Law

LHP (ex-OF) Kyler Burke threw three innings of no run/no hit ball with five strikeouts and Jeimer Candelario and Dan Vogelbach cracked back-to-back RBI singles in the top of the 8th to tie the game at 3-3, but the Mariners pushed across a run in the bottom of the 8th to take back the lead and added three more in a tack-on 9th to defeat the Cubs 7-3 in AZ Instructional League action this afternoon at Mariners Field #2 at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, AZ.

The game was extended an extra half-inning so that Cubs LHRP Andrew McKirahan could get his pre-scheduled one inning of work, but he probably wishes the team had just gone home after the top of the 9th with a 4-3 loss because he surrendered two long home runs (one to Phillips Castillo and the other to Jaban Blash) in the bottom of the 9th,

In addition to his game-tying RBI single, Dan Vogelbach walked three more times today, giving him seven walks in his last 12 Plate Appearances (over three games). So far at Instructs, Vogelbach is hitting just .241, but with a 406 OBP.

And with a triple and a single today, 17-year old switch-hitting 3B Jeimer Candelario is now hitting a robust 333/379/518.

While the Cubs were playing the Matiners in an AZ Instructional League game on Mariners Field #2, Goodyear (Reds/Indians) was playing Peoria (Padres/Mariners) in an AZ Parallel League (APL) game on Mariners Field #1.

The APL (AKA "Advanced Instructional League") is designed for players too advanced for traditional Instructs, but not advanced enough for the Arizona Fall League (AFL). At present only the MLB clubs that have their minor league HQ based in a shared facility in western Maricopa County (CIN & CLE in Goodyear, CHW & LAD in Glendale, SEA & SD in Peoria, and TEX & KC in Surprise) are fielding teams in the APL.

It would be more complicated for MLB clubs based in eastern Maricopa County to field an APL team, because five of the seven east-side teams (LAA, MIL, OAK, SF, and the CUBS) do not share a facility with another MLB organization.

Here is the abridged box score from today's Cubs-Mariners AZ Instructional League game (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Danny Lockhart, 2B: 1-2 (K, 1B, BB, BB, R, RBI)
2a. Yaniel Cabezas, C-DH: 0-3 (F-8, 4-3, 6-3 DP)
2b. Justin Marra, PH: 0-0 (BB, R)
3. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 2-4 (3B, 4-3, 6-3, 1B, RBI)
4. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 1-1 (BB, BB, BB, 1B, RBI)
5. Neftali Rosario, DH-C: 0-4 (P-4, K, 6-3 DP, 5-U FC)
6a. Shawon Dunston, Jr, LF: 0-3 (K, F-8, K)
6b. Trey Martin, LF: 0-1 (E-5)
7. Carlos Penalver, SS: 0-4 (P-6, F-8, K, F-7)
8. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 0-3 (L-4, BB, E-5, 6-3, R)
9. Mark Malave, DH #2: 1-4 (3-U, 1B, F-8, K)
10. Garrett Schlecht, RF: 0-3 (K, BB, 2-3, K)

PITCHERS:
1. Kyler Burke: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 39 pitches (25 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
2. David Henrie: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 WP, 33 pitches (19 strikes), 1/4 GO/FO
3. Ian Dickson: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 23 pitches (16 strikes), 2/3 GO/FO
4. Jose Rosario: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 1 K, 31 pitches (14 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
5. Andrew McKirahan: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HR, 1 PO, 22 pitches (13 strikes)
NOTE: Add-on bottom of the 9th was stopped with two outs when McKirahan reached his pre-planned pitch limit

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. Yaniel Cabezas: 0-2 CS
2. Neftali Rosario: 0-2 CS

ATTENDANCE: 22

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

Comments

Wainwright-less in the LCS, I hate them so much, so, so much. I'll take Det vs. Mil which means it will be Cardinals vs. Rangers

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I'll go Milwaukee vs. Texas. Texas just looks too well-rounded right now. Over a 7 game series, not sure Detroit can overcome their balance. That said, Detroit's Benoit/Valverde tag team is nasty, so if they can build a lead, get enough SP, who knows. I think Milwaukee's pitching will be too much for St. Louis, though.

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

That seems like a fair read, but don't underestimate what Detroit has in the rotation. 1-4 I think I'll take the Tigers rotation over the Rangers. Scherzer has come on nicely, Fister is having a breakout year, and Porcello is inconsistent but has the potential to dominate any one game. The real problem with the Tigers is that the offense is hot and cold. You know the Rangers are going to score at least some runs, so they need to be consistent enough to get 4 of 7. The Rangers probably won't score than less than 3 runs more than once in the series.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

On a related note.....Does any team make more sense than Milwaukee for Aramis? Figure that Mat Gamel at first and Aramis at 3rd will be at least the production of Fielder and Casey Mc provided this year. Gives them at least one more year to keep that window open.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I'd argue Anaheim makes as much sense, if not more, than Milwaukee. They desperately need a middle of the order run producer. Even with some bad contracts, you could still occasionally hide Aramis' defense by DH'ing him.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I thought it then, but I thought the Greinke trade was a steal for Milwaukee. I did not like the talent KC got for him. I wasn't a big fan of the Marcum trade since they gave up Lawrie for him, and Lawrie looks like he's going to be a superb offensive player.

AZ Phil, just wondering if you think Burke could be added to the 40 man if he keeps throwing like this, or even Lake or Hatley based on AZ Fall League performance?

[ ]

In reply to by Koyies Bansaw

my hunch is that it's too early. First, Burke doesn't have to be protected until after 2012. 2nd, this is instruct work and Burke hasn't done anything to suggest that he could definitively move up the ladder quickly. 3rd, there's simply enough lefties ahead for pen duties that it seems quite unnecessary to force such an action. I mean, in Marshall, Russell, Beliveau, Gaub, Maine, there's more than enough pen lefties in the upper levels. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs gave Burke a rotation slot in Daytona to start 2012, though. Would give them some flexibility on his future while continuing his development against tougher competition, giving them a better gauge of his potential as a pitcher.

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

Submitted by toonsterwu on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:38pm. my hunch is that it's too early. First, Burke doesn't have to be protected until after 2012. 2nd, this is instruct work and Burke hasn't done anything to suggest that he could definitively move up the ladder quickly. 3rd, there's simply enough lefties ahead for pen duties that it seems quite unnecessary to force such an action. I mean, in Marshall, Russell, Beliveau, Gaub, Maine, there's more than enough pen lefties in the upper levels. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs gave Burke a rotation slot in Daytona to start 2012, though. Would give them some flexibility on his future while continuing his development against tougher competition, giving them a better gauge of his potential as a pitcher. ================================== TOONSTER: Conventional wisdom when Kyler Burke moved to pitcher at the end of Minor L:eague Camp last March was that he would eventually be a lefty reliever, and while that still might be the case, I am beginning to believe that he might project as a lefty starter. He has an assortment of pitches (mid-90's fastball, plus-curve, and a change-up, and I think he is throwing a harder breaking ball now, too), and he seems to have the stamina to throw multiple innngs without losing anything off his fastball or breaking ball. Although he is eligible for selection in the December 2011 Rule 5 Draft, I doubt that he will get selected simply because he hasn't pitched above Boise. But this time next year is when the Cubs are going to have to decide whether to add him to the 40 or allow him to leave as a Six-Year Minor League FA. The only way the Cubs can for sure keep him from walking away and signing with another organization post-2012 is by adding him to the 40-man roster by the 4th day following the conclusion of the 2012 World Series.

[ ]

In reply to by Koyies Bansaw

Submitted by Koyies Bansaw on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:22pm. AZ Phil, just wondering if you think Burke could be added to the 40 man if he keeps throwing like this, or even Lake or Hatley based on AZ Fall League performance? ================================ K-BANSAW: Kyler Burke is eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft this December, but he is probably safe (from the Cubs POV) since he hasn't pitched above Boise. But you never know. All it takes is one scout from one club to get the hots for him, and he could get selected. However, Burke is eligible to be a Rule 55 Six-Year Minor League FA (6YFA) after next season, so the Cubs will probably add him to the 40-man roster post-2012 even if he hasn't progressed beyond Daytona, just to keep him from walking away and signing with another club. As for Junior Lake and Marcus Hatley, an eye-popping performance in the AFL would probably get Lake and/or Hatley a spot on the Cubs 40-man roster, but anything less than that probably won't, and if either or both do get a spot on the 40 next month, it probably would mean that Jay Jackson, Jeffry Antigua and/or Dae-Eun Rhee will not.

you know, before Howard tore his achilles there, I was wondering if they'd think about trading him and trying to sign Fielder. Wouldn't surprise me if Yanks make a run at Pujols or Fielder and possibly trade Teixeira, could also DH him, but that's a tougher sell to the FA that he's coming to take Teix's job with the guy still there. of course, this goddamn Cardinals run, just makes it more and more likely Pujols signs his extension before he even tests the market.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

of course, this goddamn Cardinals run, just makes it more and more likely Pujols signs his extension before he even tests the market. I'm OK with that. He's older than Soriano was when we got him, and showed signs of decline this year (though onr non-typical sign). Let the Cardinals give him an eight year deal.

I'd like to give a personal "Fuck You" to Carlos Marmol for nailing down a playoff spot to the Cards. It is comforting to know that Jim Hendry sealed him up for two more years. I hate the Cardinals more that the Packers, if that's possible. Although it is incredible that the Cards organization has seen such success over the last 60 years, while the Cubs have done nothing.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

"I hate the Cardinals more that the Packers, if that's possible." True. At least the Packers do it with talent. The Cardinals have four stars, and one hasn't played all year.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I must not hate the Cardinals if I can be coaxed into their camp by the mere fact of my mother-in-law being an avid Phillies fan. But if I did hate the Cardinals I would be pissed at Marmol for prying open their coffin-lid on that last Saturday in September.

you know, before Howard tore his achilles there, I was wondering if they'd think about trading him and trying to sign Fielder. --- per rotoworld, the last line is key to Reuben Amaro Jr's newest pain (5/125). Achilles ruptures are usually described as feeling like getting hit in the calf with a baseball bat or the "pop" has been described as hearing a gunshot go off. I kinda like the flat tire description too. Although some achilles ruptures can be treated non-surgically, most performance athletes get this injury surgically repaired. The re-rupture rate is lower with surgical repair and the rehab can be started much sooner. Still, this will leave him with some permanent calf muscle deficit even after full rehab. Because he's not much of a runner before the injury and plays 1B, it probably won't have much impact. It might affect his fielding range a bit.
Ryan Howard believes he may have torn his left Achilles tendon while attempting to run out a ground ball on the final play of Friday's Game 5 loss to the Cardinals in the NLDS. Howard suffered the injury as soon as he got out of the batter's box and was unable to run to first base. "I was trying to run, and I just felt this pop," said Howard. "The whole thing just went numb, like it was on fire. Just tried to keep going, and went down. It literally felt like I was on a flat tire. I tried to get up. Couldn't go." Howard is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday, but could miss part of the 2012 season if the injury requires surgery. Coincidentally, next season is the first year of his five-year, $125 million contract extension.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

The winning finalists for Chicago and Los Angeles will accept the Baltimore job, acquire Soriano and Wells, and then "upgrade" themselves. Let it be.

it's not the first year of the ARam deal that should concern them (unless they are the team that moves back to the AL, then he can DH).

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

rsox need to just give him an extension already and get this over with. i totally believe 3+ cubs suits flew all the way out to boston just to have some really really fresh clam chowduh.

damn... r.howard out until may/june 2012 according to mlb network..."preliminary reports"

followup on Ryan Howard...from rotoworld:
Ryan Howard has indeed been diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles tendon and will undergo offseason surgery... He's likely to miss the entire first half of the 2012 season, and could even be out the entire year.
Source: Danny Knobler on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/DKnobler/status/122838487270563840 and Knobler followup tweet: I know people are assuming Howard is out for all 2012, but trainer I talked to said unless surgery goes bad, it's usually 6 month recovery. My thoughts: He should be healed and released for baseball activities by spring (Oct-Feb is 4 1/2 months) but may not be running well enough to play until mid season. Injury replacement Depth at 1B is so to speak, the Phillies Achilles heel. Ross Gload and a platoon from AAA (lh, Jeff Larish and rh, Cody Overbeck) are the official depth behind Howard. Something will be done to shore up that hole. Makes Bryan LaHair look better every second. Dusty would have acquired Neifi for such a dilemma and moved Utley to 1B.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

they got j.mayberry and b.francisco at least...don't think francisco has played 1st, though. mayberry's slotted to take over in LF i'd imagine, but francisco or mayberry could handle it. ...plus outside cheap options. meh.

I was thinking the same thing, crunch. Pancakes to the Angels makes too much sense. (that was in response to crunch a little higher up...don't know why it didn't thread off of his comment)

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.