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

I-Cubs Will Go Head to Head With J-Rob in Home Opener

Long time, no post.

 

While the I-Cubs are opening the season in Albuquerque and getting the Isotopes off and running, finishing touches are being put on their headquarters here in Des Moines. Yesterday was Open House and a parking lot full of fans came to walk the warning track and tour the remodeled clubhouses. Too bad Chicago and their Cubs don’t get along as cozily as Des Moines does with ours. The city helped rebuild the ballpark back in the 1990’s, replaced the playing field not long ago and kicked in on this latest project too, despite that we can’t keep the libraries open a rightful amount of hours.

 

Besides peeks behind the scenes fans were lured by promises of a free hot dog/chips/soda lunch and a GA ticket to a 2013 game. While the facilities were easy enough to get in and out of, the line for the eats was surely the longest one there’s ever been there without a ballgame at the end of it, so I fasted.

 

Does it surprise any of you that there is a sign posted in the clubhouses forbidding the consumption of any alcoholic beverages on those premises? It did me.

 

Besides the free ticket handout I cashed in a Groupon that netted me 20 tickets for 50 bucks - @ $2.50 per that’ll make for a good time some just right evening this summer when I’d rather go with friends than alone as I usually do.

 

The home opener is set for next Friday, a date that coincides with the opening of ’42’ starring Harrison Ford as the grandfather, I think, of the PCL president. I’m anxious to see it and will let the weather make the decision as to whether I go to the ballpark or the movies that evening.

 

My streak of seasons with at least one visit to Wrigley may be in jeopardy this year. I’m not sure how long it is but it’s fairly lengthy and right now I have nothing planned. 

 

It’s good to hear that a renovation detente may have been achieved in Wrigleyville and the organizational pipeline seems to be filling with fuel, most of which is pretty far downline from Des Moines. I may make a cheap trip or two to catch Kane County when the Cougars road-trip into Iowa. As for what I’m anxious to see right here, I guess I’m curious about this Loux kid and hopeful that Jackson won’t be such a strikeout artist now that his swing’s been Tinker-ed to make the most of Ever-y Chance (sorry).

 

Sorry, too, for any errors. I’m kinda rusty, like Pat Hughes, who called Rizzo’s Opening Day blast to the back of the right-center bleachers in Pittsburgh “playable.”

 

I’ll be in touch.

Comments

Nice to hear from you Well-Man! I'll be looking forward to your reports on Rusin and Raley during the year. I think as the year goes on I'd rather see one of those guys pitching for the big club than Feldman. And, of course if anyone in Iowa can hit with RISP, that's a bonus.

I hate the idea of Harrison Ford playing the grandfather of anybody. Makes me feel older, if not necessarily bluer.

Michael Brenly signed on with the Diamondbacks. Marquez Smith was released by the Rangers organization.

AZ Phil, I see on your depth chart that Matt Loosen and junior Lake are not listed. Are they AWOL?

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

How do you donate them? I know I've seen that somewhere on the shitty ticket manager site, but I can't find it. My wife loves her some deductions, she's been threatening to make me cut back to two tickets, maybe that would convince her to keep them.

[ ]

In reply to by Newport

I asked last week and they don't have it together yet. You still have to physically convey tix. However, I was told you can use your STH user/pw (you see it on your invoice) and electronically get tix to those you wish through the STH portal. This apparently works, although I have not tried using it. Children's would be close? Oh wait - they moved Downtown...

the wrigley field organist is off his meds... big pops from the crowd for fuji, garza, ninja (huge), castro, rizzo (huge)...boos for marmol (stay classy cubs fans).

Through 6 games and one AB -- Starlin Castro has yet to walk. Just what you want in a #2 hitter ahead of Rizzo.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Doesn't a track record require some time? The flip side is true also: Show me a track record of bad defense, which also requires some time. Castro has had his issues, but he's also a dude who has worked his butt off to get better at his defense and showed it last year. 23 and a week into the season seems a bit early to throw in the towel on a guy who has shown improvement.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

I think the Castro defenders are perhaps missing the point. Castro is a "young pro" who's going to be a major league starter for years to come and has a ceiling as a perennial All-Star. He's signed to a team-friendly deal. He has to be huge trade bait for an organization looking for that type of player and can certainly fetch multiple talented players in return. This organization also has a SS prospect who seriously needs to be discussed as one of baseball's best prospects at this point, and he will probably be ready to break in within two years. His defense got called out by someone else, but I'm not talking trash about Starlin. I'm still saying he's a guy you want ... until something better comes along.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

I don't disagree with anything you said. My comment was in response to the idea that the Cubs management doesn't value Castro's assets. I fail to see how such an assertion could be true, considering the deal that Cubs management gave Castro. FWIW...I'm not a Castro defender. I think he has a ton of talent, and I think he hasn't figured out how to put it all together yet. And I think that, in the right deal, I would absolutely trade him. Then again, I don't think there are many players that I would define as untouchable in a trade.

The Rangers designated lefty Jeff Beliveau for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for newly-acquired catcher Robinson Chirinos.

cubs need to reconsider this "shift on everyone" thing... along with past games, it's been exploited 3 times in this game (twice in the 7th) for hits.

marmol comes out to a chorus of boos...after a leadoff double you'd think he was milton bradley. btw, even though he may not enjoy it, he seems unfazed by it.

If my math is correct -- Cubs fall to 75 games under .500 in the Ricketts era (209-284). The Ricketts family must have a good shot at the "fastest to 100" crown. Something to watch from the rooftops -- that, and the date of Castro's first walk in 2013. Stay tuned!

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I can guarantee they will have higher than an $80m a year payroll. They've shown a complete willingness to sink money into all phases of the team and so this whole "Rickets are cheap" meme gets more and more silly. I guess instead of sinking money into the minor leagues, scouting and the park they should have appeased the fans and spent it on overpriced and average free agents so we could again be spinning our wheels in slightly above average play burdened with ridiculous contracts and never actually winning a World Series. Or in other words our entire history. Rickets spends money. Stop pretending otherwise.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

I'm curious if people who are complaining about the Ricketts' era will feel it was worth it if they are a well oiled machine by 2015-2016? It seems obvious the current ownership and front office have a plan and are renovating a VERY long term dysfunctional perpetual-crap machine on every level. I really don't get the complainers. Like picking on a newborn pony for walking funny. Oh well.

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

so...only 2-3 more years of baseball not worth watching before the 1st game of the year is even played? sweet. well, "if" they are a well oiled machine by then. i don't think anyone's rooting against them...but this is a hard product to watch right now...and last year...and besides that, the owners are f'n billionaires 4-5 times over. more TV money is coming soon at least...that's visible profit in the fan's faces. "the plan" is nice and all, but i'm ready for a few offseason signings that aren't followed by "damn, that should be good trade bait in june!" we should have b.jackson due next year...baez knocking on the door if he has a good stint in the minors...vogelbomb making rizzo expendable in another couple of years...castro's locked down for many years...welly isn't a superstar, but he's here for good amount of years on the cheap...it should get better if they get some support.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Also I would maybe give it a few weeks and let the weather warm up before panicking (that's very un-dude!). I think this team will play a little better than right now. There is some decent pitching and obviously Soriano and others will hit when their knees have a chance to work out the rust.

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

I think poeple will be fine if/when the 2015/2016 plan comes together. But, that will mean 5 years of very lousy baseball -- tough to develop kids into fans when their parents don't want to waste their time/money on a very bad product. Trades like Colvin/DJ for Ian Stewart don't give me warm & fuzzies about "the plan".

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.