Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Garrett Cooper
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Angels/Cubs Surprise Rangers with Offensive Deluge

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Victor Caratini (Cubs) belted an RBI triple and an RBI double and scored two runs, Bo Way (Angels) stroked a two-run double and a single and score a run, Zach Houchins (Angels) rifled a two-run single, reached base on an HBP, and scored a run, and Michael Strentz (Angels) ripped an RBI double and a single, walked, and scored a run, leading the Angels/Cubs co-op squad to a 10-2 drubbing of the Rangers in AZ Advanced Instructional League game action this afternoon on Nolan Ryan Field at the Surprise Recreation Campus in Surprise, AZ. 
The Angels/Cubs co-op squad has done OK so far, winning four of their first five AZ Advanced Instructional League games.

And through his first five AZ Advanced Instructional League games, Cubs catcher Victor Caratini is 5-10 with two singles, a double and two triples, a walk, three RBI, and three runs scored. 

VICTOR CARATINI'S 2015 MONTH-TO-MONTH TRIPLE SLASH-LINE (AVG/OBP/SLG) PROGRESSION:  
APR: 204/278/245 (54 PA at Myrtle Beach)
MAY: 250/341/338 (91 PA at Myrtle Beach)
JUN: 256/364/402 (99 PA at Myrtle Beach)
JUL: 261/349/375 (106 PA at Myrtle Beach)
AUG: 284/329/432 (79 PA at Myrtle Beach)
SEP: 367/457/633 (35 PA combined at Myrtle Beach & AZ Advanced IL) 

Here is the box score from today's game (Cubs players are highlighted in bold and underlined) 

ANGELS/CUBS LINEUP:
1. Bo Way, LF-DH: 2-4 (K, 2B, 1B, F-8, R, 2 RBI, PO)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIFTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER 
2. Shawon Dunston Jr, DH-CF: 1-2 (1B, P-3, PO)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST THREE TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
3. Chesny Young, 2B: 1-4 (4-3, 4-3, 1B, 5-3, R, RBI)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIFTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
4. Zach Houchins, 3B: 1-3 (4-3, HBP, 1B, K, R, 2 RBI)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIFTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
5. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 1-4 (1B, 6-3, K, F-8, R)
NOTE:  SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIFTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER 
6a. Victor Caratini, C-DH: 2-3 (3B, 2B, K, 2 R, 2 RBI)
6b. Wade Wass, PH: 0-1 (L-8)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIFTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER 
7a. Natanael Delgado, RF: 1-3 (K, 1B, K, RBI)
7b. Jeffrey Baez, RF: 0-2 (5-3, 5-3)
8a. Kody Eaves, 2B: 1-2 (1B, K, R, RBI)
8b. Andrew Daniel, 2B: 0-2 (BB, 1-3, 5-3, R)
9a. Rashad Crawford, CF: 1-3 (1B, 3-U, K, R)
9b. Charcer Burks, LF: 0-2 (4-3, K)
10. Michael Strentz, DH-C: 2-3 (K, BB, 2B, 1B, R, RBI) 

RANGERS LINEUP: 
1a. Christopher Garia, CF: 1-3 (1B, 5-3, 4-3, R, SB)
1b. Jairo Beras, CF: 0-1 (L-8)
2. Jurickson Profar, DH: 0-2 (BB, BB, K, F-8, SB)
3a. Travis Demeritte, 2B: 0-1 (K, BB)
3b. Dylan Moore, 2B: 1-2 (1B, K)
4. Ronald Guzman, 1B: 0-4 (3-U, 4-6-3 DP, 3-6-1 DP, F-9)
5a. Tyler Sanchez, C: 0-1 (P-6)
5b. David Lyon, C: 0-3 (K, P-5, F-7)
6a. LeDarious Clark, RF: 1-2 (2B, K, R, SB)
6b. Jose Almonte, RF: 2-2 (1B, 1B)
7. Luis Marte, SS: 0-3 (K, BB, 6-4-3 DP, K, PO)
8. Darius Day, LF: 0-3 (4-3, K, 3-1)
9. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 3B: 1-3 (F-9, E-6, 1B, SB)

ANGELS/CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Tyler Skulina: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 1 PO, 1 GIDP, 4/2 GO/AO, 70 pitches (38 strikes) 
2. James Pugliese: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 2/1 GO/AO, 24 pitches (17 strikes) 
3. Steve Perakslis: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 2/2 GO/AO, 24 pitches (16 strikes) 
4. Matt Brazis: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/AO, 13 pitches (9 strikes) 

RANGERS PITCHERS: 
1. Sam Wolff: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/AO, 13 pitches (7 strikes) 
2. Luis Ortiz: 1.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R (4 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 28 pitches (18 strikes)
3. Brett Martin: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 2/0 GO/AO, 25 pitches (15 strikes)
4. Jefri Hernandez: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 24 pitches (11 strikes) 
5. Scott Williams: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 4 pitches (3 strikes) 
6. Joe Filomeno: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/AO, 25 pitches (13 strikes) 
7. Peter Fairbanks: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 PO, 2/2 GO/AO, 24 pitches (14 strikes) 
8. John Kukuruda: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/AO, 11 pitches (9 strikes) 
9. Joseph Palumbo: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/AO, 13 pitches (7 strikes)

ANGELS/CUBS ERRORS: 2
1. C Victor Caratini: E-2 (errant throw on stolen base attempt at 3rd base allowed runner to score)  
2. SS Chesny Young: E-6 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely)  

RANGERS ERRORS: NONE 

ANGELS/CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
1. Victor Caratini, 0-3 CS, 1 E (see above) 
2. Michael Strentz: 0-1 CS 

WEATHER: Sunny and a bit breezy with temperatures 105+ 

ATTENDANCE: 28 (mostly scouts) 

Tags
AZ Advanced Instructional League
Victor Caratini

Comments

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 09/29/2015 - 09:35 pm

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/13774883/female-coach-justine-siegal-… "OAKLAND, Calif. -- Justine Siegal, who was the first woman to throw batting practice for a Major League Baseball team, will serve as a guest instructor during the Oakland Athletics' instructional league that begins Sunday at the team's spring training facility in Mesa, Arizona. Siegal will assist the A's player development staff both on and off the field during instructs, which run through Oct. 17." neat.

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 09/29/2015 - 09:49 pm

are we supposed to be hoping for and cheering cubs losses to set up a better draft pick? thank god that shitty aspect of cub fandom (some fans) is done...hopefully for a long time.

[ ]

Submitted by billybucks on Thu, 10/01/2015 - 10:41 am

Dunno -- this team is pretty bad at everything. I can't see them beating the Pack, Lions or Vikings with AP -- that's a total of 10 losses right there. They don't have the personnel to play a 3-4 dense, can't cover kickoffs and have no threat at WR. 12 losses is very achievable.

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Fri, 10/02/2015 - 10:48 am

"13-14 not out of the realm of possibility" Let's be ambitious, shoot for fifteen losses and then draft a QB. Even a proud franchise like the Lakers was able to maintain their focus on losing and outdo the Sixers last year. If your team smells, invest in noseplugs. This was certainly the "Cubs' way" a couple of years ago. Mediocrity is the enemy. Cutler (62-61) is the enemy. Don't let him on the field.

[ ]

Submitted by johann on Fri, 10/02/2015 - 10:52 am

Cutler is not the issue right now though I'm sure we'll have to draft a QB in the next couple years. We have one good offensive lineman, an aging running back who will be a free agent, receivers who can't stay healthy and maybe one or two defensive players who can be starters in the future. I think Cutler has been massively underrated his whole time here but even if hate him drafting a QB this next draft (and I'm not even sure there are guaranteed stars in the draft) and putting him behind this awful line with a defense that will still be bad is setting him up for failure from the start and will guarantee that mediocrity you talk about. We need to rebuild our lines on both side and we're gonna probably have to replace Forte and Alshon both. We also need new linebackers and Kyle Fuller looks like a bust. This team is in such awful shape it's depressing.

[ ]

Submitted by jacos on Fri, 10/02/2015 - 10:49 am

Everyone points at Cubs and Hawks on how they took lumps and then rebuilt. One major key no one mentions is that there was a change in ownership. Rocky came in knew it needed fixing, and Ricketts did the same. If you think that fossil, who proposes to ban the forward pass at every owners meeting, and her dim wit family will make a change, I have a bridge to sell you.

[ ]

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Fri, 10/02/2015 - 10:29 pm

I hated George Halas growing up. He coached way too long and presided over the humiliating loss--66-24--to a team, the KC Chiefs, that wasn't even in the NFL at the time. Reading Halas's biography in Wikipedia not too long ago, I changed my thinking. I don't at all mind the Bears having a direct connection to that great man. (I invite you to go read his story yourself.) Virginia wasn't going to make decisions about the team so she passed it down the line, starting with her husband Ed, who wasn't, after all, a Halas, and next to Mike, and now to George. I say, keep the line moving. Supposedly they had eleven kids. There must be someone in that group who is made of stuff similar to the old man's.

[ ]

Submitted by K Dub on Thu, 10/01/2015 - 10:26 pm

crunch, if you want to take the short-sided view of a complete rebuild that's on you. Don't ridicule the fans that understood the process, the importance of high draft picks to that process and hoped for it. The pick of Kris Bryant wouldn't have been possible if they hadn't had the draft position they had. And if Bryant isn't on the Cubs now, they're not in the post-season. You sound like the grumpy uncle screaming "get off my lawn!"

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Submitted by crunch on Thu, 10/01/2015 - 10:40 pm

1- it was a joke 2- not liking it doesn't mean you don't understand it. i clearly understood the shit-fest i sat through for years setting this current situation up. it doesn't take a single braincell to understand it. 3- this was not the only way to get it done, but it's the way it got done. they at least delivered what they promised. ...beyond this...watching people root for losses, watch reverse standings like a hawk, and cheer winter signings for what they'll bring mid-season...for 3 years...yeah, that was a thing.

[ ]

Submitted by K Dub on Fri, 10/02/2015 - 10:24 pm

1-It wasn't a funny one. 2-If you can understand why the draft picks are so important to the process, you should also be able to tolerate those who root for the highest draft pick possible instead insult them. 3-It pretty much is the only and best way to do a complete rebuild of an organization. ...beyond this...listening to people bash and complain about committed Cubs fans who are excited about how the overhaul and ground up rebuild is going...for 3 years...yeah, that was a thing, too. Have fun yelling at the kids to get off your lawn now that no one is on it and the grass is lush and green. Way to needless bring up the past that is no longer present. Or is that just your way of celebrating how successful this rebuild has been?

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Submitted by crunch on Fri, 10/02/2015 - 10:26 pm

i do/did tolerate them, i don't insult them, i will joke about them. different people have different senses of humor, stop the presses. just because you don't like the joke doesn't make it an insult any more than what happened was the "only and best way" for a rebuild. oh yeah, and get the fuck off my lawn. :D

Submitted by John Beasley on Wed, 09/30/2015 - 09:46 am

Thanks for the Instructs updates, Phil. Caratini is en fuego! I'm excited to see how his bat handles the quality of pitching jump he'll face in AA. If his bat can develop, he sounds like a real future asset.

Submitted by The E-Man on Wed, 09/30/2015 - 09:36 am

From what I have read, TheoJed have always liked Caratini, and he's been able to hit in stretches. He and Contreras are the catching future pretty much right now. CRUNCH, I see your constant point re A Jackson. He cannot hit much anymore, can't steal a base (if he ever gets on), and his fielding so far in limited Cubs action is not what I had expected (last night's whiff in RF not outstanding).

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Wed, 09/30/2015 - 09:38 pm

Catching-wise, I saw Cael Brockmeyer in Woodbridge, VA, (Pelicans at Nats) the other week and was struck by the way he convinced the umpire that Duane Underwood's chronic low fastballs were actually strikes at the knees. Brockmeyer is a defense-first catcher, but he's also a big strapping fellow and can swing the bat. It was laughable, anyway, when there was a conference on the mound, to see the 6-5 Brockmeyer standing next to first baseman Ben Carhart, listed generously at 5-10. (Carhart does catch, and Brockmeyer plays a little first.) They obviously like Caratini's bat--in the playoffs, he was their hitting star while Brockmeyer sat--but I think both catchers are real prospects.

Recent comments

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

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