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

Cub Pitchers Fan Sweet Sixteen A's at Fitch Park

Wladimir Galindo smacked an RBI double, singled twice, and scored a run, Chris Pieters singled twice, walked, stole a base, and scored two runs, D. J. Wilson drilled an RBI triple, and RHSP Pedro Silverio hurled three innings of no run/no hit ball and combined with three relievers to strike out 16 hitters and toss a five-hitter, as the Cubs defeated the Athletics 5-2 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action this morning at the Lew Wolff Training Complex at Fitch Park in Mesa, AZ.

Mike Martin tripled, singled twice, and scored both of the A's runs. 

In twelve Cactus League Extended Spring Training games (43 PA), Wladimir Galindo is hittting 333/372/462 (28% K-rate and 2% walk-rate), with three three-hit games. Galindo displays a similar offensive skill-set as Jorge Soler (extremely hard contact when he hits the ball, but not many walks and a lot of strikeouts). He has also committed five errors (two throwing and three fielding) in eleven games played at 3B (he was a DH in the other game). The 19-year old Galindo was part of the touted Cubs 2013-14 IFA class that also included Gleyber Torres, Eloy Jimenez, Jen-Ho Tseng, and Jeferson Mejia, and Galindo had a fine rookie season in 2014, hitting 278/356/472 for the VSL Cubs and leading the VSL in HR as a 17 year old. But then he missed most of the 2015 season with left wrist inflammation (at EXST) and then a fractured left hand (in the AZL), so the inconsistency he is showing at the plate and in the field right now is probably to be expected. 

As things stand right now, it would appear that Dylan Cease, Bryan Hudson, Jose Paulino, Pedro Silverio, and either Erling Moreno, Manny Rondon, or Jesus Castillo will form the Eugene starting rotation, and Daniel Lewis, Tommy Nance, Pedro Araujo, Tyler Peitzmeier, Jared Cheek, John Michael Knighton, and Mark Malave will be the bullpen arms, with Scott Frazier, Alexander Santana, Enrique de los Rios, M. T. Minacci, and Yapson Gomez still battling for jobs in the Emeralds pen. Again, this is only as things stand right now at this point in time, because a lot can happen between today and June 17th (Northwest League Opening Day). 

John Arguello (Cubs Den) has a game report:  

link 

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1. D. J. Wilson, CF: 1-4 (F-8, 4-3, 3B, F-7, RBI)
2. Rafael Narea, SS: 0-4 (K, K, 6-2 FC, F-8)
3. Stephen Bruno, 2B: 0-3 (F-9, BB, F-9, P-3, R)
4. Chris Pieters, 1B: 2-3 (1B, 1B, F-7, BB, 2 R, SB)
5a. Wladimir Galindo, 3B: 3-3 (1B+E6, 2B, 1B, R, RBI)
5b. Jhonny Bethencourt, PR-3B: 0-1 (P-4, CS)
6. Alex Bautista, RF: 2-3 (2B, K, 1B, RBI)
7. Ricardo Marcano, LF: 0-3 (K, F-8, 4-6-3 DP)
8. Gustavo Polanco, C-DH: 0-3 (F-9, 6-3, L-8)
9a. Kevin Zamudio, DH #1: 0-2 (K, P-6) 
9b. Tyler Payne, PH: 0-1 (P-2)
10a. Abraham Rodriguez, DH #2: 0-1 (P-6)
10b. Jose Gonzalez, PH: 0-1 (K)
10c. Eric Gonzalez, C: 0-1 (E-7)
11. Yohan Matos, DH #3: 1-3 (F-8, 2B, P-3, R)

CUBS PITCHERS
1. Pedro Silverio: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 PO, 0/2 GO/AO, 51 pitches (30 strikes) 
2. Enrique de los Rios: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 4/0 GO/AO, 26 pitches (19 strikes) 
3. John Michael Knighton: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 34 pitches (25 strikes) 
4. Tommy Nance: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 0/1 GO/AO, 40 pitches (25 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: NONE 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. Gustavo Polanco: 1-1 CS
2. Eric Gonzalez: 1 PB

ATTENDANCE: 9

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures 100+ 

Comments

The Cubs are defintely concerned about losing catcher Tim Federowicz off waivers once Miguel Montero returns from the DL in a day or two. (Federowicz is out of minor league options). Federowicz has proven that he has recovered 100% from Spring Training 2015 knee surgery, and he has reclaimed his reputation with scouts as one the best defensive catchers in the minors. (Baseball America rated him the Red Sox best defensive catcher three years in a row prior to Federowicz getting traded to LAD).   

The Cubs consider Federowicz to be their #3 catcher (that's why he remained with the MLB club throughout Spring Training, right up until Opening Day). and they hope that they can get him through waivers, But if he is in fact claimed, the Cubs are prepared to go with Willson Contreras as their #3 catcher should Ross and/or Montero go on the DL again later this season. Contreras is considered VERY close to being MLB ready, although the Cubs would prefer to leave him at AAA until September.  

Taylor Davis is NOT seen by the Cubs as a legitimate #1 or #2 MLB catcher, although he could surface later this season in Chicago as a C-1B-3B-RH PH (functioning somewhat in the Kyle Schwarber role that allowed Maddon to PH or PR for Ross or PR for Montero in the same game without running out of catchers).

Javy Baez is the Cubs #3 catcher right now (he was a catcher in HS before he moved to 3B in his junior year and to SS in his senior year), and he actually does know enough about the position to play there in a pinch. In fact, there were draft previews in 2011 that mentioned Baez's eventual MLB position as catcher!

AA Tennessee catcher Victor Caratini has made great strides as both a receiver and as a hitter this season, but his throwing still needs work. That said, consider Caratini a virtual lock to get added to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster after the season (he will be first-time Rule 5 Draft eligible post-2016), and if both Ross AND Montero were to go on the DL and presuming Federowicz is gone (claimed off waivers), the Cubs would consider Caratini (not Davis) as a short-term second stop-gap at catcher (behind Contreras) if things go totally to shit.  

With Will Remillard (considered the best defensive catching prospect in the system a couple of years ago) having undergone his second TJS in 13 months, South Bend catcher P. J. Higgins is now considered the third legitimate MLB catching prospect among catchers on the four full-season Cubs affiliates, although he is still very raw and a couple years behind Caratini. Higgins played catcher a bit in college at Old Dominion, but the Cubs used him only as an infielder (2B-3B) last season after he was drafted (he was moved back to catcher at Minor League Camp), but he is projected to remain at catcher going forward. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I'm wondering if the Cubs might decide to go with 3 catchers again including Federowicz. Ross is playing well but as the weather heats up it's unlikely he plays as many innings. Montero with a cranky low back injury also may not be able to handle a starters load. Right now Clayton Richard has been unreliable and the roster/bullpen's weakest link. I'd try to get him to the minors rather than losing TF. Although that leaves the Cubs only with Travis Wood as the sole bullpen lefty, Richard has not been filling the LOOGY role well to this point and although they used him as a swingman for spots starts last year they have several who can do that now including Warren/Cahill.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

My own entry in the Cub catching derby is Brockmeyer. He is loitering in A+ where his bat belongs, but when they need a catcher at Tennessee or Iowa, they call him up. The same thing will happen at Wrigley, sooner or later. I just think that catcher is the backbone of the defense and that Brockmeyer is a very large backbone--6'5", 235, at least. It's like having Abe Lincoln back there. And yet his coaches rave about how small he gets, how low he squeezes down.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

He's just not going to get traded this season. If he does, I imagine the Cubs package would look something like three of these four: Schwarber, Soler, Almora, and Baez; plus Torres; plus a handful of live arms from the Sands, Steele, Hudson, etc., category. In other words, it's not happening in part because the price tag would be too much. There are a few teams that have the minor league pieces to make it happen without touching their major league roster. Boston, the Dodgers, and Texas come to mind. I doubt the Cubs are one of them.

Trout won't happen. Plus the Cubs aren't stupid like ARZ with Shelby Miller trade which has worked out well for the 1-4, 6.94 ERA. He gives up more runs than Arrieta, Hammel, and Lester combined

AZ Phil, has Concepcion figured this stuff out all of a sudden? Also, I am impressed with Jason Vosler. Is he a possible utility man to consider in a year or two. I know he has played all over the infield.

HAGSAG: Gerardo Concepcion was throwing his fastball 91-93 and touching 94 and was commanding both his fastball and his breaking ball at Minor League Camp (which is the last time I saw him), and if he can keep that up he will be an MLB lefty reliever. The Cubs are already paying him $1M this season because of the five-year MLB contract he signed in 2012, so there is no reason not to bring him up if the Cubs feel he can help. 

Although he is playing 3B (only) at Myrtle Beach right now, Jason Vosler is projected as a utility INF at the higher levels. As long as he keeps hitting, he will progress through the system. 

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • 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...