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 Look to End 5-Game Losing Streak, Midwest League Finals Begin

Cubs finish up their north of the border series versus the Blue Jays and attempt to end a 5-game slide. With Kyle Hendricks on the mound, it seems possible. Although not in the lineup, Anthony Rizzo was spotted taking BP and might be ready to return sometime this weekend.

In non-depressing news of the day, it's is the opening of the Midwest League Finals. Kane County takes on Lake County (Indians affiliate).  Jen-Ho Tseng gets the start and the lineup for the Cougars will be: Dunston Jr. LF, Zagunis DH, Candelario 3B, Balaguert RF, Rogers 1B, Brockmeyer C, Penalver SS, Martin SS. I presume Clint Frazier is Lake County's biggest prospect name if you're looking for such things.

While you were sleeping, Bryant took home the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year and the Yahoo one as well. Cubs got 5 mentions on their all-minor league teams (Bryant and honorable mentions for Schwarber, Soler, Russell and Rivero at their individual positions).

Just for kicks...potential 2015 Opening Day Lineup?

Alcantara CF, Bryant 3B, Rizzo 1B, Soler RF, Baez 2B, Castro SS, Olt LF, Castillo C, Arrieta P

Comments

If Bryant wasn't up in September, he won't be up until late April. It's not about the 40-man roster spot (not primarily); it's about the arb clock. Gotta get that extra year.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

I'm sure it will play out that way, but I would be less than surprised if it doesn't either. If Bryant is crushing the ball in the spring and Valbuena and Olt aren't doing much, think he heads north. Also depends on what they do with the roster over the winter.

And i think you mean free agency clock, arbitration would keep him from getting called up until June or even July to avoid Super 2 status. They can bring him with them in April and send him down as well if he struggles to gain that extra year. Less likely scenario, but in the land of pre-arbitation extensions, I think Cubs are less worried about all that right now.

Yes, I know Boras and all, but plenty of clients have fired Boras or gone against his wishes. I think Carlos Gonzalez was a Boras client who signed pre-free agency. It can happen at the right price in the right situation.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Yes, free agency clock I meant, thanks. Theo Co. will definitely work the free agency clock, but arbitration won't be an issue that holds his back unless he looks terrible next year. Boras is Boras. Gonzalez got an $80M+ contract that bought out 3 free agency years at more than $17 million apiece. I don't think Bryant is getting offered that deal under any circumstances. Bryant won't do a Longoria or Jon Singleton contract just to get to the majors. I-Cubs have an 8-game homestand ending April 24, so I figure he gets called up April 20-23 range (if the math works on those dates) since I've noticed this regime likes to promote guys before road trips. As a coincidence, Cubs will be in CIN on April 24-26, which is also where Castro and Soler had their MLB debuts. I hope you're right Rob, I just don't see it.

missed that Bradley Zimmer is on Lake County roster, another good prospect for them'

KC up 2-1 on a Zagunis HR

did jose abreu kick jeff passan's dog or something? that was quite an odd "player of the year" writeup. also, he has j.gallo as the minor league 3rd baseman of the year. alright, then.

D. Hutchison making Cubs look silly, 10 K through 6

Baez and Olt with 2 each, Abracadabra felt left out and has 2 as well.

(Baez does have a walk).

Hendricks killed by BABIP in the 6th (and errors).

1B, 1B, Soler error scored a run, line out, K, 1b, BB, 2B scores 2 more

5.2 IP, 5 K, 6 H, 2 BB...deserved better

That was one of the longest most effortless opposite field homers I've seen in a while. Soler. I thought it was a fly out when it left his bat.

baez's side-arm throwing strikes again...and luckily olt snagged it. castro's picked up a side-arm throwing thing this season, too. he's doing a lot of it...mostly well...but he also has had rizzo around for most of it.

KC Cougars win 4-3. Heard in the background of radio broadcast, fans singing Go Cubs Go.

15 strikeouts and 3 errors tonight; I guess theo and jed sat the boys down and explained just how important getting a protected pick is

homeruns: Cubs 1 Blue Jays 1 runs scored: Cubs 3 Blue Jays 28 wins: Cubs 0 Blue Jays 3 lessons to learn: Cubs 1 Blue Jays 0

"One of the most pleasant surprises this season has been being a teammate of Starlin Castro and how he talks about baseball, how he has the desire to win and how he wants to play every day," Baker said. "He requested to be here in his (walking) boot with his teammates. That says more about him than any of those anecdotal stories." ________________________ More about Castro is said in the article. It might be a key reason we keep him, he may have a lot of heart and competitive fire that might be underestimated: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-rick-renteria-rep…

If anybody remembers me saying the Cubs were fun to watch because they play good baseball, I formally apologize for the hex. But it was true for most of the season. In all fairness, we are in truth observing how a Triple A team would fare playing MLB teams for a few weeks. That's not a dig at those guys, it's the truth. It is pretty much the Iowa Cubs against the rest of the league. I can honestly say I'd rather watch this than the journeymen we have been watching the previous few years. Sometimes it's mighty ugly, but other times pretty fun. Normally I'd say it'll be good to see them get out of Toronto, but Pittsburgh likes to beat up on them, too.

BP Cub prospect stuff..
Jen-Ho Tseng, RHP, Cubs (Kane County, A-): 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), BB, 8 K. Because he’s just 19, because he’s coming off of a strong year in full-season ball, and because of Cubs fans, Tseng should receive a lot of helium this winter when it’s horribly cold in Chicago and the Wrigley faithful need a reason to be excited about their pitching prospects. But just because he may be the best pitching prospect in the Cubs system doesn’t mean the hype warrants the same level of intensity as other clubs’ top pitching prospects. Tseng is impressive, but the most impressive aspect of his game is his polish for a 19-year-old, something that will be less impressive as he gets older and his competition catches up. He has big-league stuff, but it’s not the top-of-the-rotation, impact stuff you want from your top pitching prospect. He should be a starter, but he’ll fall in somewhere in the middle of the rotation when it’s all said and done.
Jeimer Candelario, 3B, Cubs (Kane County, A-): 2-4. As if it weren’t tough enough to make a name for oneself in the Cubs system, Candelario laid an egg in the Florida State League to begin the year, then rebounded only slightly after being demoted back to Kane Country, performing on par with his previous stint in the league. The good news is that he’s only 20, so there’s plenty of time to take another hack at the FSL and move quickly, but the obstacles in between him and Wrigley seem a lot less surmountable than they did at this time last year, and Candelario didn’t make things any easier on himself with a disappointing season.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=24624

"gadzooks" With language like that I'm just glad my children weren't reading over my shoulder. Didn't know this site was rated X rob.

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

Gadzooks --- Rob probably has heard such language from his twin daughters

Cubs picked up a draft spot yesterday with loss and Astros win. Currently with 7th pick, game behind Red Sox and they have tiebreaker. Twins lost game 1 of a doubleheader already today.

-edit- and Game 2...sheesh, is there no pride in baseball anymore?

2-0 KC up in bottom of 3rd, Balaguert RBI single brings in Dunston, wild pitch brings in another run

Underwood so far: 3 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 4 K

-edit- 3-0, BB loaded walk to Penalver

Ihrig in for Underwood top 7th. Still 0 hits. 5-0 KCC, last run on a Dunston single, Zagunis dooble.

Tyler Ihrig gives up back to back singles in the 8th, but no runs score. On to the bottom of the 8th. Dunston rbi, he's having quite a series. 6-0...and that's the final score. One more win in Cleveland clinches the series/championship for the Cougars.

Report on Stanton...

"Stanton suffered a facial laceration requiring stitches, multiple facial fractures and dental damage.”"

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

This was an ugly and scary evening of baseball. I think the umpires left something to be desired in the way they handled everything, I feel tha the Marlins actually kept their composure relatively speaking, and you could almost argue Roenicke has some culpability for keeping Fiers out there that long when he'd lacked control and been buzzing people's china all night. Fiers was freaked out but also dude chill the hell out, you're not the one in the hospital and getting dental surgury - frankly nobody cares it wasn't on purpose. They care you were putting lives at risk and it's almost scarier when it's unintentional. And yes I know he was sincerely freaked out and sympathetic. Clearly.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Exactly right. He was devastated and they left him in and then he hit Reed Johnson high and tight - Reed was in to finish Stanton's AB. It was just a nightmare. On top of it the umps called swinging strikes on both pitches (seemed they were turning in self defense as ball approached their faces, not swinging. Jesus.) - it was really inexplicably stressful and horrible for everyone involved I'm pretty sure.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Fiers has a deceptive delivery and a rising fastball (well technically doesn't rise, but that's what we call it in baseball). Both guys committed to the pitch and it rode in on them. Not sure about the lack of control all night, but I didn't watch the game. He had 3 walks through 5, but also 8 K's and 0 runs allowed.

Stanton got hit in the face because his first reaction was to swing at the pitch (he was obviously fooled by it a little), and then couldn't protect himself in time.

Reed Johnson got hit because that's what Reed Johnson does.

The umps can't eject a pitcher for a HBP that wasn't a HBP because in both cases they were called strikes because they deemed the hitter was trying to swing at pitch. Don't forget, although it's never called, that a hitter is suppose to make an attempt to get out of the way of a pitch.

It was all terrible and unfortunate of course, but I don't know what the umps should have done differently and Fiers certainly didn't deserve to be ejected. Brewers took him out after second HBP and end of inning cause he was shaken up.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Well I suggest watching it yourself. Fiers was visibly disturbed and he's even quoted many places as saying he felt weird throwing another pitch. Also this MLB article and many others gives you some of the Marlins' perspective: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/94315898/as-tempers-cool-marlins-brewers-… "I've never in my life experienced something like that," Fiers said, his voice cracking. "It was very hard for me to take in everything at the moment and come back and throw another pitch." Fiers, visibly shaken during the delay, remained in the game only to throw another high-and-tight pitch in the 0-2 count to Stanton's replacement, Reed Johnson, who was struck on the hand -- again during the act of swinging. Before Kellogg could appeal to Reyburn for a ruling, Marlins players rushed the field and Brewers players followed. "It's up around my face, as well," Johnson said. "I think that's why you started getting some chirping a little bit from our dugout. He was up around everybody's hands and face the whole night. I think that's why the frustration really set in at that point. "When you're trying to pitch a guy in and you have a tendency to miss up a lot, it's just a bad combination. There were just a lot of balls up around guys' faces tonight. One of them gets our big boy."

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

I hadn't seen the Reed Johnson footage or Fiers reaction. I guess my thoughts are this: I understand why the Brewers management might want to leave Fiers in there to finish the AB and hopefully the inning. What you hope is that he can finish the inning quietly and the game can move beyond it. I also agree with Rob that Fiers obviously has a fastball with a lot of running action and hitters must not get a good look at it because he K's people all the time with an 88 MPH fastball up and out of the zone. Neither one of those are intentional beanballs, obviously. Fiers's reaction to people shouting from the dugout isn't all that strange either, especially since he was clearly already upset. Gotta say that I did once hit 5 batters in a row (I was 9 and after the first one it just became a psychological thing) and if somebody had started yelling at me for it I would have... crumbled into a weeping puddle on the mound. Ok. But if I were 16 or older I would have resisted doing that by getting angry, because crumbling up on the mound would've been my only other option. It's easy in hindsight to say that Fiers's night should've been over as soon as Stanton had to get taken out on a stretcher.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Also Fiers has been fined for his gestures etc, which is part of what I was getting at in my post: http://m.jsonline.com/sports/blogs/274956701.html The umpires showed a lack of judgement in my opinion because it is debatable that those were actual swings in my opinion, but I might be wrong. In the case of the Reed Johnson pitch I just think it was ridiculous that Fiers came up and in, the bat probably never crossed the plane, and you don't reward the pitcher in that situation. Benefit of the doubt certainly should have gone with Marlins. And there sure as hell are a lot if judgements calls by umpires. Again just my bush league opinion.

the anti-Baez...

Pujols struck out 4 times tonight, first time in his career.

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    For sure. This lineup isn’t exactly stacked as is, and subbing out a Cooper or even a Tauchman for Madrigal won’t do it any favors.

  • crunch (view)

    the ESPN bottom graphic taking up 1/8th of the screen sucks.

    i only use ESPN during baseball season and i'm forced to watch a baseball broadcast designed to be broadcast in sports bars and betting parlors where the news/scores of other games is as important as what you're actually tuned in to watch.

  • crunch (view)

    morel triple to start the season....yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    LHP Blake Weiman appears to have been the last cut from the AAA Iowa roster. He is with the Tennessee group at Minor League Camp.

     

  • crunch (view)

    bruce bochy is hobbling rather badly for a guy who's had 2 hip replacements.  his gait is extremely wonky taking the lineup card to the ump.

  • 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.