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

Pedro Strop Delivers Some Heat at Indian School Park

 

Johneshwy Fargas singled twice and drove-in the tying and winning runs with a two-run double as the Giants rallied to edge the Cubs 3-2 in 12 innings in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Indian School Park Field #2 in Scottsdale AZ.

RHRP Pedro Strop (on the Cubs MLB 15-day DL retroactive to 5/6 - groin) started the game for the Cubs and threw one inning (12 pitches - 11 strikes), striking out three. One batter did reach base on a third strike WP, but Strop totally handcuffed the young Giants with his hard slider and mid-90's gas. He looks like he is ready to be reinstated from the DL and maybe provide some misery to big league hitters.    

The Cubs managed only four hits (three singles and a double) and struck out 13 times over the course of the 12 innings, although they did draw six walks.  

In EXST Cubs roster news, RHP Josh Davis (2013 NDFA - Belmont University) has been moved up to Daytona, and RHP Ben Wells has been sent to Extended Spring Training from Daytona. Davis began the season at Extended Spring Training, and then was moved up to Kane County on April 12th. He was sent back to EXST from KC on May 2nd.   

Also, LHP Michael Heesch (Cubs 2012 8th round draft pick - USCB) has been moved up to Kane County from Extended Spruing Training.

THE PITCHING LINES FROM JOSH DAVIS'S FOUR 2014 CACTUS LEAGUE EXST OUTINGS
4/9   - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 3/1 GO/FO, 30 pitches (23 strikes)
4/12 - AT KANE COUNTY thru 5/2
5/5   - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 5/1 GO/FO, 33 pitches (21 strikes)
5/13 - 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 2/1 GO/FO, 36 pitches (24 strikes)   
5/17 - INTRASQUAD GAME  
5/21 - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 0/3 GO/FO, 34 pitches (22 strikes)  
TOTAL: 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 7 K, 2 GIDP, 10/6 GO/FO, 68% strikes, 2.25 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, .289 OppBA

THE PITCHING LINES FROM MICHAEL HEESCH'S FIVE 2014 CACTUS LEAGUE EXST OUTINGS
5/9   - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 5 pitches (4 strikes)  
5/12 - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 18 pitches (12 strikes)
5/14 - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R,0 BB, 2 K, 18 pitches (13 strikes)
5/17 - INTRASQUAD GAME
5/20 - 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 3/1 GO/FO, 42 pitches (27 strikes)
5/23 - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 11 pitches (10 strikes) 
TOTAL: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K, 1 HBP, 5/4 GO/FO, 70% strikes, 0.00 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, .227 OppBA 

Here is the abridged box score from today's game (Cubs player only):

CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Rashad Crawford, CF: 0-3 (K, K, 4-3)
1b. Charcer Burks, CF: 0-3 (4-3, 5-3, K)
2a. Oliver Zapata, LF: 0-2  (P-4, P-4, BB)
2b. Arnaldo Calero, LF: 0-3 (6-3, 6-3, K)
3a. Rony Rodriguez, 1B: 0-1 (BB, K, BB)
3b. Roney Alcala, 1B: 1-1 (BB, 1B, R, SB)
4a. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 0-3 (K, P-6, 5-3)
4b. Ricardo Marcano, RF: 0-1 (BB, K)
5a. Tyler Alamo, C: 0-2 (6-3, F-9)
5b. Erick Castillo, PH-C: 1-3 (4-3, 1B, 1-3, RBI)
6a. Elliot Soto, SS: 1-2 (2B, F-7)
6b. Bryant Flete, PH-SS: 0-2 (3-U, K, BB, R, SB)
7a. Zak Blair, 2B: 0-2 (F-7, 3-1)
7b. Varonex Cuevas: PH-2B: 1-3 (K, F-8, 1B, RBI)
8a. Mark Malave, DH: 0-2 (6-3, 1-3)
8b. Justin Marra, PH-DH: 0-2 (F-7, K, BB, SB)
9a. Dalfis Ortiz, 3B: 0-2 (L-7, K)
9b. Adonis Paula, 3B: 0-3 (K, F-7, K)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Pedro Strop: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 1/0 GO/FO, 12 pitches (11 strikes)
2. Trey Lang: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 26 pitches (16 strikes) 
3. Jose Paulino: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 3/2 GO/FO, 33 pitches (19 strikes)  
4. Jeferson Mejia: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 3/2 GO/FO, 32 pitches (22 strikes)
5. Luis Hernandez: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 34 pitches (19 strikes)  
6. Yomar Morel: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 3/3 GO/FO, 19 pitches (13 strikes)
7. Francisco Carrillo: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 19 pitches (11 strikes) 
8. Carlos Llano: 0.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 0 K, 17 pitches (4 strikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 1
C Tyler Alamo - E-2 (missed catch on throw home after single to outfield allowed runner to score from 3rd base) 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
1. Tyler Alamo: 0-1 CS, 1 E (see above)
2. Erick Castillo: 1-4 CS

ATTENDANCE: 20

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 90's 
 

Comments

Dear Captain Happy, I know Mike Olt's batting average is abysmal, but he is an exceptional fielder and still leads the 2014 Chicago Cubs' baseball team outright in both Homeruns and RBI. Letting him bat 5th once, returning him to 8th in the order the next day and then benching him on the 3rd day is basically inexcusable and certainly not allowing him to settle into a role and rhythm. Valbuena just made a throwing error from 3rd, the other day you removed Olt to bring in Barney for late inning defense. Barney of course made an error allowing the game to go to extra innings at which time Olt's bat was not available and we lost in the 13th with virtually no thunder in the lineup for the extra innings. Do you know something we don't regarding Olt's health? Is he a total dick and you can't stand him? Did he insult you or piss you off? I mean what's the deal? Yes I understand not having a player in the lineup for a game is typically not a big deal ... But the fairly deliberate "what have you done for me lately" bullshit that applies to Olt is frankly just ridiculous. It is predictable that you would give him ONE SHOT at batting 5th (and since he had an 0-fer he was bumped back in the lineup THE NEXT DAY then rested) and beyond infuriating. Isn't that sending a pretty cutthroat and inconsistent message to a very productive player when a player like Sureouts is given a long patient leash and Barney is played for almost no good reason at this point. I don't see how a player can thrive under the bizarre coddling/punishment system you apply to Mike Olt. Can you just quit fucking around and put the best players on the field? Love, carlito

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

Thank you for that. It really is driving me crazy. And, yes, Valbuena hit a big home run yesterday, but having Barney in the lineup, at all, is completely insane at this point. He hits like I did when I tried to play this game. If I see him in the lineup one more time at second instead of Bonifacio or Valbuena, I'm filing a police report.

Whoah, Barney just intentionally walked to get to Travis Wood?!!

If Strop is activated soon I would guess Grimm will get sent down? I assume you keep both lefties, and the veterans Veres and Villuenva will stay. Rondon is the closer. Ramirez has a 0.84 ERA. So between Grimm and Schlitter, Grimm has had a rough month of May and Schlitter has a 1.23 ERA since being recalled in late April. He's the hot hand. With Rosscup, Rusin, and even Parker in AAA, Vizcaino perhaps on the way, it's turned into a fairly solid and deep bullpen.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

I'm wondering when Armando Rivero is going to get moved up to AAA. Also looking forward to seeing Kyle Hendricks get his crack at the MLB rotation after the inevitable trades go down--his K rate is up a bit in the early going, and his ERA and WHIP are still very solid. He and Travis Wood would make a very scrappy, grinder-y back end of the rotation. I can see them on billboards already. The Cubs are building what could be a pretty decent homegrown bullpen (Strop, Rondon, Ramirez, along with some decent arms still in minors--Vizcaino, Rosscup, Jokisch, Rivero) just as their young position players should be arriving--I'm optimistic and anticipating the arrivals of Bryant, Alcantara, Baez, Soler (OK, that might be too optimistic given the injuries), Almora in that order to join the resurgent Rizzo, Castro, and Castillo and the intriguing Olt and Lake. So that leaves the rotation, which seems to be Wood, Jackson, Arrieta, ?, ?. I like Hendricks and I think he should be the #5 by August. Edwards, Blackburn, Johnson, and Underwood are all a good distance away and as pitching prospects not in striking distance of MLB deserve no earnest projection. So where do the Cubs get top of the rotation arms for 2015-ish? Do we really think the Cubs are going to get a potential #1 ready to hit the majors for Samardzija?

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140525&content_id=76… Theo...
"While Manny is not and will not be a fit on the Cubs major league roster, we do think at this stage of his life he's a nice fit as a mentor for some of the young talented hitters we have in the organization. Manny will coach full-time and play part-time in a limited role that does not take at-bats away from our prospects. If he shows there is still some magic in his bat, perhaps he will find his way to the major leagues and help another team, but that is not why he is here. We are thrilled that he wants to work with our young hitters and make a difference."

If the Cubs were 18-5 in games where the run differential was 1 or 2 runs instead of 5-18, the trade Shark discussion would be much more interesting. Among the one or two people having it.

Watching Olt bat...like I say, sit Manny down next to him for a few months. Mike, stop taking such a hard swing every time. It just makes Capt. Happy look good.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

ive never thought of him as more than a .250/.330 avg/ob% type with power + high Ks as a peak...but he really needs to find some consistency aside from the power even if he's going to K a lot while doing it. as it is he's going to have to have a hell of a hot streak to even see .250/.330. with his D and ability to stick at 3rd he could make a living being a m.trumbo type, but he's not even at that benchmark yet.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

I'd say that just based on the way he approaches the plate he can improve. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten better instruction in the minors but it is what it is. I've seen some improvement in the way Junior Lake is approaching his at bats lately, especially when he's down a couple strikes, and I kinda thought he was a lost cause there. Reps would still be nice to see, but maybe there is a method to Capt Happy's madness. He does seem to take the youngin's out if they don't take certain approaches. For the pitchers, he clearly doesn't like walks. That's something I like about Capt Happy. And he doesn't seem to have a high tolerance for the swinging hard at everything approach either. But that doesn't excuse him not playing Olt everyday, if only because of Bryant's progress and the lack of an impact player at third. If his defense was suspect that would make me understand it a bit but it's pretty damn good.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

Lake's swing is pretty beautiful when he's under control and keeps his head on the ball. The thing to be concerned about, of course, is his BB:K. Last year it was a pretty poor 13:68. This year it is an atrocious 7:51. His K rate can't stay over 30% given that he walks about 5% of the time and doesn't have ridiculous power. I'm hoping that eventually those numbers will be more reasonable (at worst a 1:4, closer to what it was last year, rather than 1:7.5) and we'll think of this as just a product of a small sample size. By the way, this year the NL is averaging 2.95 BBs per game and 8.01 Ks per game, so that provides a sense of what an outlier J. Lake is thus far.

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.