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 Minor League Pitches & Catchers on Field at Riverview

83 pitchers and 14 catchers were on the field at  the Under Armour Performance Center at Riverview Park this morning, as the Cubs minor league pitchers & catchers engaged in an extensive workout at Minor League Camp. The full squad will be on the field later this week, with the first minor league Cactus League games scheduled to commence on March 19th. 

Among the pitchers on the field at Riverview Park today were two ex-position players. 


6'4 230+ LHP (ex-OF) Ariel Ovando was selected by the Cubs from the Houston Astros in the AAA Phase of the December 2014 Rule 5 Draft, and it was reported at that time that the Cubs intended to move him to the mound. Now 21, Ovando was a one-time prized prospect, signed by the Astros as a 16-year old slugging outfielder out of the Dominican Republic in 2010, but he was unable to develop into the hitter the 'stros hoped he'd be, putting up a slash-line of 250/317/387 with 164 K in 154 games (627 PA) over four minor league seasons. 

RHP (ex-C) Mark Malave received a reported $1.6M bonus when he signed with the Cubs out of Venezuela in 2011, the highest bonus the Cubs had ever given to a teenaged international free-agent up to that point in time. He was a pudgy, beefy, switch-hitting catcher with plus-HR power (projected) prior to signing his first contract, but his catching skills were poor and so the Cubs almost immediately moved him to 3B. He didn't hit enough to stay at the hot corner, howvver, so the Cubs moved him back to catcher and he also stopped switch-hitting (batting only right-handed going forward) in 2014. Unfortunately, he was unable to smooth out his receiving flaws sufficiently to rermain a backstop or hit enough to play another position (248/347/305 with no HR in 141 career minor league games). One thing about Malave was that he's always had a plus-arm, and so now he will have a chance to demonstrate if it can be a useful tool off the mound. 

Among the catchers on the field today were ex-INF Gioskar Amaya, who was converted from 2B to catcher at AZ Instructs post-2014. He appeared to take to the position very well at that time, showing enthusiasm and looking comfortable behind the dish, and with enough arm to make all of the necessary throws. He might have to spend some time at Extended Spring Training before he will be ready to catch in AA games, but he could have a future as a catcher once he gets more experience.  

INF Jordan Hankins was converted to catcher at Instructs post-2013, but he went back to playing 3B (only) during the regular season last year at Daytona after Jeimer Candelario was sent back to Kane County and Tim Saunders retired. But then he tried catching again at Instructs post-2014, and he is back catching again at Minor League Camp this year. Hankins' future would appear to be that of a multi-positional utility player where catching is just one more thing he can do, rather than a front-line catcher. 

Catchers Tyler Alamo and Cael Brockmeyer were late additions to the big league NRI list last month, but while Brockmeyer is still with the big club, Alamo has been assigned to Minor League Camp. 

The one catcher I expected to see who was absent from the field at Minor League Camp today was Will Remillard, who is considered to be the best defensive catcher in the system, but who has battled back problems off & on going back to when he signed with the Cubs in 2012.  I thought it was odd that Remillard did not receive an NRI to Spring Training last month (he got one in 2014), so maybe the back is still an issue.  

I saw all of the pitchers I expected to see today, with five exceptions. Among those absent from the field were veteran LHRP Pedro Feliciano (reportedly signed by the Cubs in January), and RHPs Matt Brazis, P. J. Francescon, Trey McNutt,  and Yoanner Negrin. It's possible that Feliciano's contract was voided by the Cubs due to a failed physical or perhaps it wasn't approved by MLB for some reason, because  (I would think) he should have received an NRI to big league camp. McNutt had shoulder surgery post-2013 and he may not able to pitch (or maybe he has retired), but I can't account for why Brazis (acquired from Seattle for Justin Ruggiano during the off-season), Francescon and Negrin weren't present on the field with the other pitchers. Also, recently-signed veteran LHRP Phil Coke is not getting into shape at Minor League Camp, so he must be working out with the big club. 

There were only four pitchers on Limited Activity Status today (RHPs Marcelo Carreno, Dylan Cease, Trey Masek, and Erling Moreno), but I'm sure there will be more before too long. All four of the Limited Activity guys had surgery last year and aren't ready to resume full activity. However, LHP Anthony Prieto, RHP Austin Reed, and RHP Brad Renner (all of whom had TJS in 2014) were cleared for full activity today, so I guess it all really depends on the individual pitcher and how fast he can recover. 

Comments

UPDATE: Matt Brazis, P. J. Francescon, and Yoanner Negrin were absent from Minor League Camp today because they made to trip to Goodyear with the big club. No news on Feliciano, McNutt. or Remillard, however. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

MINOR LEAGUE CAMP UPDATE #2: Catcher Will Remillard is on the field, but is restricted to "Limited Activity Only" and so he is not participating in drills or workouts.

And the Cubs have assigned catcher Cael Brockmeyer to Minor League Camp. Brockmeyer and fellow minor league catcher Tyler Alamo were late additions to the NRI list last month, serving as extra catchers while Cubs pitchers got into shape at big league camp. 

Still no sign of Trey McNutt or Pedro Feliciano. 

The three amigos hit their back to backs the day after I leave AZ. I'm beyond outraged. Good to know Baez hit a fastball out, actually, because he was late on everything when I saw him. And sometimes way early. Just really really out of sync.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

I didn't really like Baez's swing on the homerun. (I'm getting very picky, apparently.) Looked to me like his weight was moving toward the dugout and he was almost reaching for a ball that was over the plate. His back foot frequently moves during his swing, usually out away from the plate. :(

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

I've seen enough free-swingers to last me a lifetime during the Hendry years and Baez seems like more of the same- hacking like a lumberjack at anything close. He's no vlad. I think his problems are less mechanical and more a problem of approach and eye. If he can work on that, okay, but a lot of ball players simply don't improve in that area.

A lot of people see A Russell moving to third, or whatever, but what little I saw he's a MLB ready shortstop today. I don't know what happens with Castro, but Russell is probably the long term SS if he proves he can hit MLB pitching, which he probably can't really demonstrate in a brief spring training run. If Baez figures things out, he'll be at second I think. The Phillies could get half an infield with an Olt+Castro for Hamels trade. I doubt the timing works for the Cubs as I doubt they'd want to move Russell up to the bigs so soon, but one never knows.

My favorite time of year... AZPhil report season! I didn't know Saunders retired. That's a bummer. I knew he struggled with some injuries last year and the year prior. I wonder, did anything ever come of the few guys who disappeared last year, like Brian Smith?

[ ]

In reply to by Koyies Bansaw

K-BANSAW: Word is IF-OF Tim Saunders has decided to "un-retire" and is expected to report to Minor League Camp today with the other position players. I'll let you know if he shows up. 

RHP Michael Hamann and LHP Brian Smith did not report to Minor League Camp last year, and they are no longer on any minor league reserve list. They are likely on the Voluntary Retired List, but (like Saunders) players on the Voluntary Retired List can un-retire if they so choose. 

FWIW, Korean RHP Jin-Young Kim (who signed in 2010 and then retired in 2013 after a series of shoulder problems) "un-retired" in January, and then the Cubs immediately released him. Sometimes a player on the Voluntary Retired List will request his release so that he can play in independent ball or in a foreign professional league, and as long as it's OK with the club and as long as the player isn't a "hot" prospect, the player can usually get his release if he asks for it. Sometimes a retired minor league player will agree to have his contract terminated in exchange for receiving his release, thus relieving the club of having to pay post-career college tuition if tuition reimbursement was part of the player's original contract (as it often is). 

I've met a lot of minor league players over the years, and I can tell you that playing minor league baseball can be a very expensive hobby. $10,000 doesn't go very far, and if a player has a wife and kids to support, it's sometimes necessary to retire and get a job that pays better, even though the player enjoys playing pro ball. It helps if the player has parents who are willing to offer finiancial support, or a wife or girlfriend who makes good money, but that isn't always the case. 

Newest reports indicate they expect Turner to start season on the DL, though he is getting a second opinion before deciding his course of action. 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

just making Kris Bryant's return to Iowa all the more easy.

so potential 13?

C: Montero, Ross

INF: Rizzo, Alcantara, LaStella, Castro, Olt, Herrera

OF: Soler, Fowler, Coghlan, Denorfia, Sweeney

Presuming Baez and Bryant get sent down and LaStella has 3 options so he may as well. I'm guessing Herrera for now just because I don't know how much they'd trust Alcantara to play SS in a pinch. Szczur or Lake could replace Sweeney.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I gotta go with Szczur over Denorfia or Sweeney - younger, faster, pretty good eye up there, got a better story. As long as he keeps playing well this spring, I'll take a kid over the journeyman anytime. Olt looked great while I was down there but his body of work suggests he's still a question mark - I think he still needs a full solid spring to score the starting job at third. He really looks confident out there, though.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

they seem to believe in denorfia...giving him 2.6m and supposedly part of the "veteran" presence. sweeney could be traded if they want to go with other options...he can play all 3 OF slots decently, doesn't bitch about being a bench player, is a lefty, and is only owed 2m (or 1.5m 2015 + 2.5m team option). shame ARZ doesn't need a bench OF/CF...trading welly away might not happen if even a low-market doesn't develop. too many sellers, not enough buyers. it would be nice if DET could find an interest in him...or some catcher injuries break out.

with how the ball bounces around the field in sloan park, the cubs will be lucky to get through this spring without someone screwing up a foot/ankle/knee/hip. balls play fast off the hard fields in ARZ...nothing new, but the action on the ball (even in the OF) is like the ball is solid rubber.

drake britton just threw a hell of an inning... 10 pitches, 8 balls, 2 strikes...1ip 0h 2bb 0k 0r that luck, though.

j.lester - 3ip 0h 0bb 2k 0r (55 pitches) m.olt - 2/3 (singles), 1k in case anyone's interested...z.rosscup - 1ip 0h 0bb 2k (3ip 0h 0bb 4k in 3 appearances, though he's working his pitch count getting those numbers)

Dodger announcers said that Puig didn't hurt the fence while making the catch on the Rizzo drive. Also, said that he's better in RF because the LF isn't at risk for collisions with him but in CF both LF/RF could get hurt.

Also Almora made a wonderful catch basically running straight out to center ... very difficult play and he was pretty smooth. Even looked like it caught a gust away from him at one point ...

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

After this year, I'll be happy to just not see the other team charging down the field on every possession.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

"As the third-string catcher, Castillo has to understand he’s fighting to stay in the majors and need to follow the rules." yeah, that's cute and all, but d.ross is nothing but a receiver at this point in his career...his arm (and the threat of it's use) isn't even there anymore. sure, welly is third-string by default on this particular team, but i doubt he's gonna have a hard time staying in the majors.

That's so Lovie!!

Bucs sign S Chris Conte and DT Henry Melton

start buying your "soler power" stuff...should be good to go for another 5-6 years.

Will Ferrell coaching 3b for Cubs at the moment;

 @GDubCub 3B coach holds up sign for Soler: "Don't pull a muscle"

Soler ends up launching one as well.

Bryant ground rule double.

Ferrelll having fun with signs as 3b coach, most of it can be found in twitter box.

some of these players having to deal with the will ferrell side show are being really good straight men for the sake of entertainment and not being a dick. those that are upset about all this can take it up with garth brooks, billy crystal, and tom selleck.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

i'm one of those people mystified by the whole anchorman thing...not my kind of humor for part 1 or 2. that said, anyone his height with bottom teeth that jacked that gets to star in major hollywood funded films is okay with me. good for him. tall people unite.

Klawchat

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/51650

Brooks (Las Vegas) How long do you think it will be before we hear from Boras regarding Bryant? Seems obvious he belongs on the big league team from a baseball view, but obvious he should wait two weeks from a business view. Klaw (1:03 PM) Probably the last week of spring training. The problem is that neither side (both of which you articulated) is wrong.

David (Chicago) Have you seen or heard anything so far the spring that changes your evaluation of Schwarber sticking behind the plate? Klaw (1:04 PM) No. Nor would I expect to since 1) it's spring training and 2) spring training is about a week old.

Ari (New Rochelle) Friend of mine said Kris Bryant has more upside than Mike Trout. Thoughts? Klaw (1:10 PM) He's saying Bryant could be the best player in baseball history, then, so I'm going to say no.

How skeptical should we be that Mike Olt has either changed mechanics or had more post-concussion recovery time to the point that he will be worthy of a major league roster spot this year? Klaw (1:18 PM) Based on a few games in early March? What is the word for "most skeptical?"

Rick (Oakland) Welington Castillo is supposed to be great at blocking pitches and bad at pitch framing. What's more important? Klaw (1:19 PM) Depends on who's pitching.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

it's what he does...sure rubs a lot of people the wrong way though because he hates [insert your team].

doesn't phase me as much for whatever reason, I hardly like his Internet persona, but I think he's tied in quite well with a lot of good sources and does go to a lot of games to watch himself. I appreciate his wave of skepticism amongst a wave of unbridled fan enthusiasm (Junior Lake's AFL performance was one for the ages). I'm sure he could be more diplomatic about it, but that's just not what he does. But at least it's coming from a base of knowledge rather than over-opionated hackery like Mad Dog on MLB network.

one down...(realize this is a bit of a repeat)

http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-jacob-turner-shut-down-month-elbow-…

Turner shut down for a month

Rondon, Strop, Ramirez, Motte, Grimm, Coke (presuming if he shows anyting he'll make club), ????

Wada, Jackson, Doubront, Wood for one SP spot and possibly one relief spot

Schlitter, Britton (out of options), Rosscup, and all the NRI's as well (Bard, etc)

I know AZ Phil was suggesting the Grimm to Iowa to get stretched out scenario, but haven't seen much mention of that yet from Cubs.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

From what I've read/heard my impression is that Cooper has the highest floor of any offensive player in the draft, or similar to Winston without the off-field concerns. It just seems to me WR is about the last area of need for the Bears at the moment. It would be interesting to see what they would do if he was still available. I doubt we'll get to find out, I expect him to be gone. Time will tell.

D. Willis ends comeback attempt, will retire. He was fun to watch for those few seasons.

Szczur hit his 2nd HR in earlier game against Indians and P. Coke had a good outing. Looks like most of the other relievers did not (Grimm, Motte and Ramirez all gave up hits and runs).

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

oakland loves their freaks. hard to argue he doesn't deserve a taste if the opportunity comes because of some of his past results...but yeah, i agree that his stuff looks really ordinary and the velocity isn't impressive at all from the left side.

Recent comments

  • 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. 

  • 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.