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 Blank Angels at Diablo Park

Jhonny Pereda roped an RBI single, doubled, and walked, Roney Alcala doubled twice and drove-in a run, and LHSP Jose Paulino hurled five innings of shutout ball with an 11/0 GO/FO and combined with three relievers to toss a five-hit shutout, as the Cubs blanked the Angels 4-0 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning on Field #7 at Diablo Park in Tempe, AZ.

Chris Denorfia (on Cubs MLB 15-day DL with a strained hamstring) continued his EXST rehab today, playing left field for all nine innings and getting four AB. He drilled line-drive singles in each of his first two PA, then walked his third time up, and flied out to the warning track in left in his fourth and final AB, Denorfia was running the bases at full-tilt and he made a nice running catch in left (although he had to wait until Jose Paulino left the game to do it, because Paulino was a "ground-ball machine" today).

The plan at present is for Denorfia to remain at Extended Spring Training through Saturday, but actually he looks to be 100% right now.

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


CUBS LINEUP:
1. Shawon Dunston Jr, DH #1: 1-4 (1B, P-5, 4-6 FC, F-8, R)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIFTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER 
2. Chris Denorfia, LF: 2-3 (1B, 1B, BB, F-7)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIFTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
3a. Ricardo Marcano, RF: 1-3 (4-6-3 DP, 5-4 FC, 1B, R)
3b. Danny Gutierrez, RF: 0-1 (BB, 4-3, R)
4. Roney Alcala, 1B: 2-5 (F-8, 2B, 6-3 DP, 2B, F-7, RBI)
5. Varonex Cuevas, 3B: 1-2 (1B, BB, BB, P-6, R, CS)
6. Jhonny Pereda, C-DH: 2-2 (2B, 1B, BB, RBI)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FOURTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
7. Calvin Graves, CF: 1-3 (1B, 6-3, 6-3, BB, RBI, CS)
8. Carlos Jimenez, 2B: 0-3 (BB, F-8, P-4, P-4, SB)
9. Andruw Monasterio, SS: 0-3 (K, HBP, F-9, 6-U FC) 
10a. Yohan Matos, DH #2: 0-2 (K, F-9)
10b. Erick Castillo, C: 0-1 (BB, F-7, PO) 

CUBS PITCHERS
1. Jose Paulino: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 11/0 GO/FO, 72 pitches (44 strikes) 
2. Alexander Santana: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2/2 GO/FO, 27 pitches (15 strikes) 
3. Dillon Maples: 1.0 IP, 1 H,. 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 2/0 GO/FO, 11 pitches (6 strikes) 
4. Greyfer Eregua: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 0/3 GO/FO, 10 pitches (5 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: NONE 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE
Jhonny Pereda: 0-1 CS 

WEATHER: Sunny and a bit breezy with temperatures 100+ 

ATTENDANCE: 8 

Comments

Could someone explain to me the function of a first base coach? I don't see him brushing the bag off to keep it clean. He doesn't seem to be wearing a glove to protect the umpire from hit balls. And he clearly isn't supposed to advise rookie players who are on first on how to approach second whilst down by three runs in the ninth.

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

But seriously, I am confused about the role of the first base coach. If it isn't to advise a runner in game situations, what is the role? Ask about the family? Inquire about the player's romantic interludes? See if the kid wants kids when he grows up?

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

* Are you as excited about the Republican primaries as I am? * What would happen if all the Kardashians changed gender? * Are the Chinese using stolen technology to build all those islands? * Will baseball players be replaced by robots after the Singularity?

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

I coach first base for my son's team (first and second graders). I have to tell nearly every kid every single time they get to first when to run and when not to. And then they run anyway. I would imagine by the time a players makes it to MLB, they already know what to do and a first base coach reminding him to make sure to actually look where you're running wouldn't be necessary.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

Well, first base coaches remind runners of a lot of things they probably go over in pre-game. This guy has a quick move (they sometimes have stop watches and will tell players specific times if they request). He throws over a lot. He likes to break the rubber when he is coming set and throw over, so watch for that. Remember the catcher likes to throw behind the runner at first, especially with a right-handed batter up. They have a shift on so watch line drives more closely because a hit that might ordinarily fall in might be caught. Right fielder is well off the line so you can get to 3B on a hit to his left. Etc. Who knows what happened with Russell there. Very frustrating. 

Almora with three hits tonight, raising his BA to .258, which is higher than Buxton's or Sano's on the other team (Chattanooga). [Disregard the snarky comment about the Twin prospects, who have much better numbers aside from BA.]

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

Almora's minor-league numbers are starting to remind me of those of Josh Vitters, although with slightly fewer strikeouts and less power. A lot of contact but not enough hard contact, and too many pitches swung at. It might be fixable--who knows?--but meanwhile there's a bunch of new outfielders climbing the ladder. I'm just glad we traded for Russell, who was drafted five spots later than Almora and could have appeared in one of those missed-draft-pick slide shows wearing a photoshopped Cub cap.

Corey Black ‏@CblackCHC Oppp dang well yes now that it's out I'm now in the bullpen. Excited for this new task. Same game same concept.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

Well, either way I imagine Baez is on his way back. This is going to work out either really well, or really bad. I don't see a lot of middle ground here, though his D will be good no matter what.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

So far Baez has played 32 games at AAA this year. I went back and pulled the game log data for the last 32 games (7/1 to 8/3/2014) Baez played at AAA last year preceding his call up to Chicago: 2014: 32 games, 136 PA, 36 hits, 12 HR, 33 K's, 11 BB 2015: 32 games, 136 PA, 39 hits, 7 HR, 33 K's, 10 BB Hope the MLB results aren't as similar as last year.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

I don't know if he is doing that every night but that batting style is very different from last year. Very little movement in the linked video, whereas last year he was just crazy with all the footwork and such. I think the key will still be how he handles the pitchers pounding the low outside zone with sliders, which is the approach they are all taking with almost all these young kids here. Bryant is about the only one not biting and even he once in awhile can't help himself.

Who do we think is most likely to be traded for pitching Castro, Baez, Russell, Soler, or do we keep everyone and wait for the off season?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

I think they'll be very patient, since this is not The Year - I think they can sneak into the playoffs but let's face it, there's a lot of rookies playing in the starting lineup and they make a lot of mistakes. If somebody makes a killer offer, they may take that. I think if anyone goes it will be everyone's fall guy, Castro, but his reputation is a bit sullied so I doubt they can get top value for him.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

He seems like the most likely to go, as his style of play is not in the Theo mold. However, as has been said -- his inconsistent play makes it unlikely the Cubs will get very much for him, despite his age and talent. It's also something of a gamble that either Baez or Mendy can become a productive major leaguer. And...as was the case with Welly -- teams will know the Cubs want to make a move to create space, so the Cubs are not in a position of negotiating strength.

Smokies on a pretty good roll, with six wins out of the last eight including a late-morning game today. Schwarber three singles and three RBI; Contreras a home run; Ryan Williams his first start and first Southern League win. Williams seems to have gotten a two-level promotion, unless this was just a temporary assignment. Corey Black pitched two innings in relief with zeroes in all the columns except for 3 K's. I would say that Black won't take much longer than Baez and Edwards to get to Chicago. Black was doing fine as a starter but the Cubs don't need a rookie sixth starter. They need Black's (and Edwards') help in the pen. Finally, something worthwhile resulting from all those Soriano paydays.

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.