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

2016 Cubs MLB First-Year Player Draft Ticker Tracker

DAY ONE:

1st ROUND
- NONE (Cubs signed post-2015 Article XX-B Qualified Player - RHP John Lackey 

2nd ROUND - NONE (Cubs signed post-2015 Article XX-B Qualified Player - OF Jason Heyward


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


DAY TWO

3rd ROUND (104): 
Thomas Hatch, RHP 
R/R, 6'1 200, Age 21  
Oklahoma State
COLLEGE JR (REDSHIRT SOPH)
COMMENT: 2016 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year... threw three consecutive CG shutouts at one point in 2016... 7-2 with a 2.16 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and .234 OppBA, 94 hits (including two HR) allowed and 28/102 BB/K in 112.1 IP (16 G - 16 GS) for the Cowboys in 2016... missed all of 2015 season with sprained elbow UCL that did not require TJS... throws from 3/4 arm slot... 91-94 MPH sinking fastball and plus-slider generate lots of ground balls... change-up is his third pitch... Under Armour All-American in HS in both junior & senior years... was rated the #1 HS pitching prospect in Oklahoma as a HS senior by ESPN... was selected by Colorado Rockies in 32nd round of 2013 draft out of HS but did not sign due to strong college commitment...  
2016 SIGNING BONUS POOL #104 SLOT VALUE: $573,900

4th ROUND (134): 
Tyson Miller, RHP 
R/R, 6'4 195, Age 20 
California Baptist  
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: Gained national attention and "buzz" among scouts after posting 2-1 record with a 1.44 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, 16 hits allowed and 6/29 BB/K in 25 IP (5 G - 4 GS) for Brewster Whitecaps in Cape Cod League (top collegiate "wood bat" summer league) in 2015, earning him pre-season PacWest Pitcher of the Year status... 9-3 with a 2.27 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and .232 OppBA, 89 hits (including four HR) allowed and 23/92 BB/K in 107.0 IP (16 G - 15 CG) for the Lancers in 2016... has outstanding control... 91-93 MPH sinking fastball and hard slider produce weak contact ground balls... change-up is a work-in-progress...  
2016 SIGNING BONUS POOL #134 SLOT VALUE: $429,700

5th ROUND (164):
Bailey Clark, RHP 
R/R, 6'4 220, Age 21 
Duke 
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: Was projected as a possible 1st round pick coming into 2016 season... allowed just three runs in his first three starts in 2016 touching 98-99 MPH with his fastball, but lack of command landed him in Blue Devils bullpen after ten starts... 4-4 with a 5.61 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and .291 OppBA, 68 hits (including five HR) with 26/64 BB/K and nine WP in 59.1 IP (15 G - 10 GS) for Duke in 2016... max-effort delivery leads to projection as reliever in pro ball with mid-upper 90's fastball and mid-80's slider... 3-0 with 0.56 ERA and 0.94 WHIP, 10 hits allowed with 5/11 BB/K in 16 IP for Wareham in Cape Cod League in 2015... also pitched for Team USA in 2015... is a member of National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (National High School Mathematics Honor Society)... 
2016 SIGNING BONUS POOL #164 SLOT VALUE: $321,800

6th ROUND
 (194): 
Chad Hockin, RHP 
R/R, 6'2 210, Age 21 
Cal State - Fullerton
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: Grandson of Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew... college closer... 97 MPH fastball and upper 80's slider... missed a couple of weeks during the 2016 season with a tender elbow... 1.05 ERA and 0.86 WHIP, 15 hits allowed (2 HR) with 7/23 BB/K in 25.2 IP (20 games) for Titans in 2016... 2.08 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, 6 hits allowed with 4/13 BB/K in 8.2 IP for Yarmouth in Cape Cod League in 2015... two-way player (3B-RHP) in HS...  brother Grant was 2nd round pick of Cleveland Indians in 2014...
2016 SIGNING BONUS POOL #194 SLOT VALUE: $241,000

7th ROUND (224): 
Michael Cruz, C
L/R, 511 210, Age 20
Bethune-Cookman
COLLEGE JR
COMMENT: A DH who can catch... hit 325/461/605 with 16 HR & 41 RBI with 38/25 BB/K in 56 games (258 PA) for Wildcats in 2016... 23% CS and 7 PB behind the plate... was named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week in March after he hit five HR and drew seven walks... attended Clarendon CC prior to transfering to BCU, where he was named a second team NJCAA All-American as a DH after hitting 10 HR with 45 RBI in 2015... played C-1B-OF in HS at Puerto Rico Baseball Academy...    
2016 SIGNING BONUS POOL #224 SLOT VALUE: $186,000

8th ROUND (254): 
Stephen Ridings, RHP
R/R, 6'8 220, Age 20
Haverford  
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: Has command issues.... 6-3 with a 2.62 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and .163 OppBA, 37 hits allowed (3 HR) with 37/87 BB/K, 10 HBP, and 13 WP in 65 IP with two CG (including one CG shutout) for the Fords in 2016... 
2016 SIGNING BONUS POOL #254 SLOT VALUE: $173,800

9th ROUND (284): 
Duncan Robinson, RHP 
R/R, 6'6 200, Age 22 
Dartmouth
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Has impeccable control, with 7/73 BB/K in 68.2 IP for Big Green in 2016... overall 4-6 with 3.28 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and .264 OppBA... was Senior Class President and captain of his football, basketball, and baseball teams as a HS senior in Houston...   
2016 SIGNING BONUS POOL #263 SLOT VALUE: $162,300

10th ROUND (314): 
Dakota Mekkes, RHP 
R/R, 6'7 250, Age 21 
Michigan State
COLLEGE JR (REDSHIRT SOPH)
COMMENT: All Big Ten First-team closer... led NCAA D-1 with 14.6 K/9... allowed just 26 hits (no HR) with 92 K in 57 IP, but also walked 41... throws a 90-93 MPH fastball, a slider, and a change-up... not overpowering, but pitches from a low arm-slot with a deceptive delivery that keeps hitters off-balance...  
2016 SIGNING BONUS POOL #293 SLOT VALUE: $156,600

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

DAY THREE  

11th ROUND (344): 
Michael Rucker, RHP 
R/R, 6'1 185, Age 22 
BYU 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: 11-1 with a 2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and .215 OppBA, with one CG, 80 hits allowed, and 31/94 BB/K and 11 WP in 102.1 IP as Cougars Friday night starter in 2016... was BYUs closer before being moved to starting rotation last season... transferred to BYU from Gonzaga after 2013 season... throws 90-93 MPH fastball that touches 95, a curve, a slider, and a change-up, but secondary stuff is below average... profiles as a reliever in pro ball...   

12th ROUND (374):
Trey Cobb, RHP
R/R, 6'1 190, Age 21
Oklahoma State
COLLEGE JR
COMMENT: Teammate of Cubs 3rd round pick Thomas Hatch... 4-7 with 3.34 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and .266 OppBA, 74 hits allowed and 28/91 BB/K in 20 games (12 GS) and 72.2 IP for Cowboys in 2016... right-handed "swing-man" (#3 starter and back-up closer) throws low-90's two-seam fastball with sink and a plus-slider.. change-up is below average... profiles as a reliever in pro ball...  

13th ROUND (404):
Wyatt Short, LHP
L/L, 5'8 180, Age 21
Mississippi
COLLEGE JR
COMMENT: Bulldogs closer... racked-up 21 saves and 22/75 BB/K in 79.1 IP in last two seasons at Ole Miss... diminutive southpaw throws 88-90 MPH fastball with run & sink, a change-up, and a curve, and he throws all three pitches for strikes...   

14th ROUND (434):
Parker Dunshee, RHP
R/R, 6'1 205, Age 21
Wake Forest
COLLEGE JR
COMMENT: Combined 18-9 with 2.89 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, 191 hits allowed (13 HR) with 84/208 BB/K in 61 games (19 GS) in three seasons at Wake... was moved from closer to starting rotation in 2016, and became Demon Deacons Friday Night starter.... Cape Cod League All-Star in 2015, posting 3-2 record with 2.16 ERA and 0.93 WHIP , allowing 23 hits (one HR) and 8/27 BB/K in 33.1 IP for Chatham...    

15th ROUND (464):
Jed Carter, RHP
R/R, 6'0 190, Age 21
Auburn U. - Montgomery  
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: Warhawks closer... 1.85 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and .176 OppBA , 21 hits allowed and 12/53 BB/K in 34 IP in 2016... transferred to AUM in 2015 after spending freshman and sophomore years at Lurlene Wallace JC... 

16th ROUND: (494):
Holden Cammack, RHP 
R/R, 6'0 195, Age 22
Oral Roberts
COLLEGE JR  
COMMENT: College closer... 2.32 ERA and 1.03 WHIP, 15 hits allowed (two HR) and 17/40 BB/K in 31 IP for Eagles in 2016... UnderArmour All American as a catcher in HS... spent first two seasons of college career as a catcher at Blinn JC.. NJCAA Academic All-American at Blinn... transferred to Coastal Carolna after 2013 season... suffered torn elbow UCL and underwent TJS in 2014 and then missed 2015 season... was converted to RHP after transferring to Oral Roberts... 

17th ROUND (524):
Zack Short, SS 
R/R, 5'10 175 
Sacred Heart
COLLEGE JR  
COMMENT: Power-hitting shortstop hit combined 290/398/446 with 15 HR & 99 RBI and 36 doubles in 171 games (733 PA) in three seasons at Sacred Heart... was considered a possible future top 10 round pick after outstanding sophomore season, but he hit just 182/283/280 with 38 K in 41 games (157 PA) with Chatham in Cape Cod League (top "wood bat" summer collegiate league) in 2015 and then slumped to a 241/352/399 slash-line in junior season at Sacred Heart in 2016...      

18th ROUND (574):
Marc Huberman, LHP
L/L, 6'2 190, Age 22 
USC 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Lefty reliever and part-time closer, features three-pitch mix (fastball, curve, and change-up), and racks up strikeouts but also struggles to throw strikes... combined 3.20 ERA and 1.52 WHIP, 95 hits allowed (only two HR) and 84/122 with 19 WP in 118 IP over four seasons at USC...  

19th ROUND (604):
Matt Swarmer, RHP
R/R, 6'5 175, Age 21 
Kutztown  
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: 3-5 with a 3.70 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and .233 OppBA, one CG, 51 hits allowed (only one HR) and 23/85 BB/K in 58.1 IP (10 GS) for the Golden Bears in 2016... 

20th ROUND (634):
Colton Freeman, LHP 
L/L, 6'1 210, Age 22 
Alabama 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: First-name is Garrett but he goes by "Colton"... two-way player (LHP/OF)... only threw 16 IP in 15 games out of the bullpen in four years at Bama, with a 3.38 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, seven hits allowed and 12/27 BB/K... 

21st ROUND (664):
Sam Tidaback, C 
R/R, 6'0 210, Age 22  
North Georgia 
COLLEGE SR 
COLLEGE: Hit 341/417/569 with 11 HR & 53 RBI and 20/26 BB/K in 52 games (242 PA) for Nighthawks in 2016.. 19% CS and 7 PB behind the plate... transferred to North Georgia from Ball State after his sophomore year... has hit 25 HR in four seasons (185 career college games) between BSU & North Georgia...  

22nd ROUND (694):
Dante Biasi, LHP
L/L, 6'0 185, Age 18 
Hazleton Area HS (Hazle Township, PA)   
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Penn State 
COMMENT: Missed 2016 season with torn elbow UCL... underwent TJS last month... two-way player (LHP/OF) in HS... pre-2016 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American...  brother Sal is a RHP at Penn State... 

23rd ROUND (724): 
Delvin Zinn, SS 
R/R, 5'10 170, Age 19
Itawamba JC
JC FR 
COMMENT: Has a plus-arm and is considered an above-average defender at SS... has above-average speed... was drafted by Cubs in 28th round of 2015 draft but did not sign, instead opting to attend Mississippi State... transferred to Itawamba JC from MSU in December... hit 411/464/457 for the Indians in 2016... was star PG on his HS basketball team... pre-2015 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American...    

24th ROUND (754):
Reynaldo Rivera, 1B-OF 
L/R, 6'6 250, Age 18 
Chipola JC 
JC FR
COMMENT: Hit 397/479/647 with 10 HR & 67 RBI, 12 doubles, and 29/51 BB/K in 217 PA in 2016... hails from from Puerto Rico... has plus-power and a plus arm... runs well for a big man... played mostly 1B at Chipola but also profiles as a corner OF... will transfer to South Alabama if he does not sign with Cubs...  

25th ROUND (784)
Trent Giambrone, 2B
R/R, 5'9 175, Age 22 
Delta State  
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Hit .386 with 9 HR & 52 RBI, 21 doubles, and 11 SB (5 CS) in 256 PA for Statesmen in 2016... only made three errors in 283 chances at 2B...  was selected by Dodgers in 30th round of 2012 draft out of HS but did not sign... Spent first two years of college career at Jones JC in Mississippi before transferring to DSU...

26th ROUND (814):
Austin Jones, RHP 
R/R, 6'1 195, Age 21 
UW-Whitewater
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: College closer... 4.97 ERA and .235 OppBA, 12 hits allowed and 7/16 BB/K in 12.2 IP (10 games) for the Warhawks in 2016...  

27th ROUND (844):
Connor Myers, OF
R/R, 5'11 170, Age 22 
Old Dominion
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Outstanding defensive CF... hit 310/379/472 with 6 HR & 42 RBI, 17 doubles, and 19 SB (7 CS) in 56 games for the Monarchs in 2016... 

28th ROUND (874):
Rian Bassett, RHP 
R/R, 6'5 210, Age 21 
Clark CC 
JC SOPH 

29th ROUND (904):
Tyler Peyton, RHP
R/R, 6'3 200, Age 22  
Iowa
COLLEGE SR  
COMMENT: Was arrested and charged with DUI last week in Iowa City... selected by Reds in 33rd round of 2015 draft but did not sign... 4-5 with 4.24 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and .230 OppBA, 58 hits allowed (6 HR) and 19/47 BB/K, in 68 IP for Hawkeyes in 2016... throws 88-92 MPH fastball, breaking ball, and change-up... two-way player (RHP/1B)... hit 335/419/458 with 6 HR & 85 RBI, 37 doubles, and 81/89 BB/K in 144 games (639 PA) over the course of three seasons at Iowa... 

30th ROUND (934): 
Montana Parsons, RHP 
R/R, 6'3 185, Age 21 
San Jacinto North JC 
JC SOPH 
COMMENT: 5-5 with 2.38 ERA, and .232 OppBA, one CG shutout, 49 hits allowed (3 HR) and 20/74 BB/K in 64.1 IP and 14 G (13 GS) in 2016.... transferred to San Jac from Texas State after 2015 season... will transfer to Baylor if he does not sign with Cubs...

31st ROUND (964):
Brenden Heiss, RHP 
R/R, 6'1 190, Age 18 
Jacobs HS (Algonquin, IL) 
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Arkansas 
COMMENT: HS power pitcher with 90-93 MPH fastball that touhes 95 and a hard breaking ball, but he has difficulty commanding his stuff... 

32nd ROUND (994):
Zach Davis, OF
R/R, 5'10 170, Age 21 
Texas Tech  
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Aggressive baserunner and base-stealer... a "small ball" singles-hitter with virtually no XBH power... hit combined 276/382/321 with 29/48 BB/K and 30 SB (3 CS), no HR, no triples, and ten doubles, in 267 PA (161 games) in four-year college career.... 

33rd ROUND (1024):
Nathan Sweeney, RHP 
R/R, 6'4 185, Age 18 
Cherry Creek HS (Greenwood Village, CO) 
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Arizona  
COMMENT: Two-way player (SS/RHP) in HS... 

34th ROUND (1054):
Davis Daniel, RHP 
R/R, 6'1 180, Age 18 
St. James School (Montgomery, AL) 
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Auburn 
COMMENT: Threw two consecutive no-hitters in 2016... features a 93-94 MPH fastball, a plus-curve, and a seldom-used chenge-up... 

35th ROUND (1084):
Ryan Kreidler, 3B
R/R, 6'2 175, Age 18
Davis Senior HS (Davis, CA)
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: UCLA 
COMMENT: Plus-arm and hit tool, but is a slow runner and has not yet shown HR power... 

36th ROUND (1114):
Jake Slaughter, SS
R/R, 6'3 200, Age 19
Ouachita Christian HS (Monroe, LA)
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: LSU 
COMMENT: Has a plus arm, is a slow runner, and he has HR power-potential... 

37th ROUND (1144): 
Davis Moore, RHP
R/R, 6'4 190, Age 18 
Los Osos HS (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)  
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Fresno State 
COMMENT: Two-way player (OF/RHP)... 

38th ROUND (1174):
Tolly Filotei, OF
L/R, 5'7 160, Age 20 
Faulkner State CC  
JC SOPH  
COMMENT: Hit 268/373/338 with 7 SB (3 CS) in 2016... 

39th ROUND (1204):
A. J. Block, LHP
L/L, 6'5 190, Age 18 
Newport HS (Bellevue, WA) 
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Washington State 

40th ROUND (1234): 
D. J. Roberts, RHP
R/R, 6'2 218, Age 17
Atlantic Coast HS (Jacksonville, FL)
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: South Florida 
COMMENT: Has torn labrum... featured low 90's fastball that touched 95 and a decent curve and change-up and was projected to be selected in one of the top three rounds prior to the shoulder injury... 


MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB ULE 4 DRAFT) 

The First-Year Player Draft (or "MLB Rule 4 Draft") is held annually over a three-day period in June.

There are 40 rounds (there were 50 rounds prior to 2012), and draft-order is based upon the inverse order of winning percentages from the previous season. If the winning percentages of two or more clubs are the same, the club with the lowest winning percentage from the previous season picks first. If two or more clubs are still tied, league standings from two years back (or three years back, four years back, etc) are used to break the tie.

Article XX-B Free-Agent Compensation draft picks are slotted in the Supplemental 1st Round of the MLB Rule 4 Draft pick (between the 1st and 2nd rounds), and the 12 Competitive Balance Rule 4 Draft picks that are awarded annually are slotted in two groups (six of the Competitive Balance picks are slotted immediately after the Article XX-B Free-Agent Compensation draft picks in the Supplemental 1st Round, and the other six Competitive Balance picks are slotted in the Supplemental 2nd Round between the 2nd and 3rd rounds).  

MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) - ARTICLE XX-B QUALIFIED PLAYER

An Article XX-B free-agent is designated a "Qualified Player" if the player spent the entire immediately-preceding MLB regular season on a club's MLB Active List (25-man roster) and/or on one or more of the club's inactive lists (7-day, 15-day, and/or 60-day Disabled List, Military List, Bereavement List, et al) and/or on the Active List or an inactive list (7-day or 60-day Disabled List, Military List, Bereavement List, et al) of one or more minor league affiliates of that club, and the club offers the player a guaranteed contract (known as a "Qualifying Offer") for the following season. 

The Qualifying Offer must include a salary at least equal to the average salary of the 125 highest-paid MLB players from the previous season. The exact amount of the average salary of the 125 highes-paid MLB players from the previous season will be communicated by the MLB Labor Relations Department (LRD) simultaneously to all MLB clubs and the Major League Baseball Player's Association (MLBPA) within ten days after the conclusion of the MLB regular season. 

To be valid, a Qualifying Offer must be extended by a club no later than 5 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series. The LRD then provides the MLBPA with a list of players receiving valid Qualifying Offers and the amount of each offer.    

The Qualified Player has until 5 PM (Eastern) on the 7th day after receiving the offer to decide whether to accept or decline. If the Qualified Player accepts the offer, he is considered "signed" and must be immediately added back to his club's MLB Reserve List (40-man roster). If he declines the offer, the player is free to sign with any MLB club, including his former club.

A club receives one compensatory draft pick between the 1st and 2nd rounds in the next MLB Rule 4 Draft (First-Year Player Draft) if the Qualified Player subsequently signs a Major League contract with another MLB club. If more than one club receives this type of compensatory pick, the draft order for the picks is the same as it is for all other rounds in that draft (clubs select in inverse order of league standings from the previous season, and in the case of two clubs finishing with the same record the previous season, league standings from two seasons back will be used to break the tie, and if If the clubs are still tied, league standings from three seasons back, four seasons back, etc, will be used to break the tie).

MLB clubs are not permitted to extend a Qualifying Offer to an Article XX-B MLB free-agent if the player has agreed in advance to decline the offer so that the club will obtain a compensatory draft pick once the player signs with another club.

An MLB club that signs a Qualified Player forfeits its 1st round selection in the Rule 4 Draft, unless the club selects in the Top 10 of the 1st Round, in which case the club would forfeit its next-highest pick. NOTE: In determining whether a club would forfeit its 1st round draft pick, the ten "protected" picks at the top of the 1st round would NOT include any compensation draft pick received by a club for failing to sign a 1st round draft pick from a previous draft. 

The next highest draft pick (or draft picks) will be forfeited if the club signs more than one Qualified Player (one draft pick forfeited for each Qualified Player signed). Draft picks subject to forfeiture include the club's own Rule 4 picks, compensatory draft picks awarded to the club after losing an Article XX-B Qualified Player, and draft picks that were awarded as the result of the Competitive Balance Lottery or as the result of the Rule 4 SBP Forfeited Draft Pick lottery (including any lottery draft pick originally awarded to another club and then subsequently acquired in a trade). A compensatory draft pick awarded to a club for failing to sign a pick from a previous Rule 4 Draft is NOT subject to forfeiture. NOTE: A Rule 4 Draft pick forfeited as the result of a club signing a Qualified Player is not transferred to any other club (it just disappears).

A Qualified Player who signs a Major League contract after 11:59 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series receives automatic "no trade" rights that extend through June 15th of the following season, even if the player re-signs with his former club. A Qualified Player who receives "no trade" rights this way can waive the right, but if he does, his club can trade the player only for player contracts and/or cash with a maximum aggregate value of $50,000.

If a Qualified Player signs a Major League contract with a new club after the MLB Rule 4 Draft, or if a Qualified Player signs a minor league contract with a new club and either remains in the minor leagues or is later added to the new club's MLB 40-man roster, the player's new club does NOT forfeit a Rule 4 Draft pick, and the player's former club does NOT receive Rule 4 Draft pick compensation. However, MLB clubs are not permitted to sign a Qualified Player to a minor league contract just to avoid losing a draft pick.

 

MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) ELIGIBILITY 

An individual is eligible for selection in the First-Year Player Draft (Rule 4 Draft) if the person has not previously signed an MLB or minor league contract, and is either a resident of a U. S. state or territory or Canada, or is not a resident but was enrolled in a high school or college in a U. S. state or territory or Canada within the previous year, and...  

1. Has graduated from high school; or

2. High school athletic eligibility has expired; or

3. Dropped out of high school at least 365 days prior to the draft; or

4. Attended a junior college the previous school year; or

5. Is attending a four-year college and has completed at least junior year of athletic eligibility, or

6. Is attending a four-year college and is age 21 or older (or will turn 21 within 45 days of the draft); or

7. Is attending a four-year college and the school has no baseball program, or 

8. Was dismissed from a four-year college for academic reasons; or

9. Withdrew from a four-year college at least 120 days prior to the draft

MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT NEGOTIATION LIST 

Players selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft) are placed on a club's Negotiation List.

In most cases, a player selected by a club in the Rule 4 Draft will remain on the club's Negotiation List until either the player signs, or until 5:00 PM (EDT) on the Friday that falls during the week July 12-18 (whichever comes first), and if a club does not sign a Rule 4 Draft pick by the deadline, the player is removed from the club's Negotiation List and becomes eligible for selection again in the next Rule 4 Draft in which the player would be eligible for selection. The exception to this rule is any college senior with no baseball eligibility left. This class of player remains on the club's Negotiation List until the player signs or until one week prior to the next Rule 4 Draft (whichever comes first).

Also, any player eligible for selection in the Rule 4 Draft who is not drafted ("Non-Drafted Free-Agent" or "NDFA") can sign with any club after the conclusion of the draft any time up until one week prior to the next Rule 4 Draft, unless and until the NDFA enrolls in a junior college or four-year college, in which case MLB Rule 4 Draft eligibility rules apply.

A player selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft or a Rule 4 eligible NDFA cannot be signed to a Major League contract.

A player selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft or a Rule 4 eligible NDFA can be "Signed for Future Service" (contract is for the following season) if the player signs a contract after July 1st.

A club is not permitted to select a player in the Rule 4 Draft two years in a row, unless the player gives his approval in advance.

MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT SIGNING BONUS POOL (SBP) 

There is a maximum limit on the aggregate amount of money that each club can pay as signing bonuses to players selected in a First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft) before penalties begin to accrue.

Prior to the Rule 4 Draft, each MLB club is assigned a “Signing Bonus Pool” (SBP) equal to the aggregate pre-assigned bonus value of all of the club’s draft slots in the first ten rounds (including supplemental & compensatory draft picks). The higher the slot, the higher the bonus value. (The collective MLB SBP is determined in advance by calculating industry revenues). 

The Cubs 2016 Rule 4 Draft SBP is $2.245,100 (it was $7,236,100 in 2015).

If a club fails to sign a player selected in the first ten rounds (including supplemental draft picks), the value of that slot is deducted from the club’s SBP. There is no bonus value assigned to draft slots after the 10th round, but if a club pays a signing bonus in excess of $100,000 to a player selected in the 11th round or later or to a player eligible for selection who was not drafted, the amount of that bonus in excess of $100,000 is deducted from the club’s SBP.

If a club exceeds its SBP in a given Rule 4 Draft, a tax will be assessed and future Rule 4 Draft picks could be forfeited, depending on how much the club exceeded its SBP. (The club’s 1st Round draft pick in the next Rule 4 Draft is forfeited if the club exceeds its SBP by 5-10%, its 1st & 2nd round draft picks in the next Rule 4 Draft are forfeited if the club exceeds its SBP by 10-15%, and the club’s 1st Round picks in the next two Rule 4 Drafts are forfeited if the club exceeds its SBP by more than 15%).

Money collected from the tax on clubs that exceed their SBP will be distributed to qualifying clubs as Revenue Sharing funds, and forfeited draft picks will be reassigned by lottery. (Any club that exceeds its SBP is excluded from the lottery).

MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) COMPENSATION PICK 

A Rule 4 Draft compensation pick is available only if a club is unable to sign a player selected in one of the first three rounds (including supplemental compensation draft picks between rounds 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4).

A club must offer a drafted player at least 40% of the slot value in order to be eligible to receive a compensation draft pick if the player does not sign.

If a player selected in the 1st or 2nd round of the Rule 4 Draft does not sign, the club receives an extra compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower in the 1st or 2nd round than where the club selected the previous season. 

If a player selected in the 3rd round of the draft does not sign, the club receives an extra compensation selection between the 3rd & 4th rounds in the next Rule 4 Draft, with clubs selecting in inverse order of league standings from the previous season. (In the case of two clubs finishing with the same winning percentage the previous season, league standings from two seasons back will be used to break the tie. If the clubs are still tied, league standings from three seasons back, four seasons back, etc, will be used to break the tie). 

A club would receive another compensation pick in the next Rule 4 Draft after that (one slot lower than the slot where the unsigned player was selected in the previous draft) if a player selected with an extra compensation pick does not sign, but there is no additional compensation pick awarded the following season (three years removed from the original draft pick) if a club is unable to sign that player. 

Compensation draft picks awarded to clubs for losing an Article XX-B MLB Free-Agent (Qualified Player) will be slotted between the 1st and 2nd rounds of the next MLB Rule 4 Draft, with clubs selecting in inverse order of league standings from the previous season. (In the case of two clubs finishing with the same winning percentage the previous season, league standings from two seasons back will be used to break the tie. If the clubs are still tied, league standings from three seasons back, four seasons back, etc, will be used to break the tie). 

If a player selected with a draft pick awarded as the result of a club losing a Qualified Player does not sign, the club receives a compensation selection between the 1st & 2nd rounds in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than where the club selected the previous season. There is no further compensation if a player selected with that compensation draft pick does not sign. 

MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) COMPETITIVE BALANCE DRAFT PICKS 

Six "Competitive Balance" Rule 4 Draft slots between the 1st and 2nd rounds and six more between the 2nd and 3rd rounds are awarded each year by lottery.  

The Competitive Balance Lottery (CBL) is held during the week following the Rule 4 Draft signing deadline in July. Only MLB clubs that receive revenue sharing and clubs from the ten smallest markets are eligible to participate in the lottery for the CBL draft slots.

Once awarded, a CBL draft slot can be traded, but only during the MLB regular season. The slot cannot be traded for cash unless it is a financial adjustment made to offset the salary of one or more of the players involved in the trade. Also, a CBL draft slot can be traded only once (only by the club that was awarded the pick). Once traded, the slot cannot be "flipped" to a third club. 

If a player selected with a CBL draft pick does not sign, the club receives a compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than where the club selected the previous season. There is no further compensation if a player selected with a Competitive Balance compensation draft pick does not sign.

MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) FORFEITED PICK FOR EXCEEDING SIGNING BONUS LIMIT 

A Rule 4 Draft pick forfeited because a club exceeded its Rule 4 Draft signing bonus limit will be reassigned to another club by lottery held on the same day as the Competitive Balance draft pick lottery. All MLB clubs that did not exceed its SBP limit are eligible to participate in this lottery.

As with the Competitive Balance draft pick lottery, Rule 4 forfeited draft picks can be traded, but only during the MLB regular season, and the pick cannot be traded for cash unless it is a financial adjustment made to offset the salary of one or more of the players involved in the trade. Also, a Rule 4 forfeited draft pick can be traded only once (only by the club that was awarded the pick). Once traded, the pick cannot be "flipped" to a third club.

If a player selected with a Rule 4 forfeited draft pick does not sign, the club receives a compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than the forfeited draft pick slot from the previous season. There is no further compensation if a player selected with a compensation Rule 4 forfeited draft pick does not sign.

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Sonicwind75

The possibility of injury reoccurring is an obvious concern and hopefully the good doctor can tell us the possibility of that. However it seems like he's a good character kid and having three plus pitches already is exciting to hear. He's also fought through that injury and the frustration of not having it diagnosed for so long and was still able to come back and pitch well so that speaks to someone serious about his game and someone who isn't going to let struggles stop him. So yes this is a 3rd rounder and the majority of successful pitchers are 1st rounders but I like what I've read so far anyway.

Both pitchers selected by Cubs so far (Hatch and Miller) throw strikes and induce weak-contact ground balls. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

aside from writeups and player bios about the players i generally go searching for the raw numbers for the hell of it. you're covering bios/writeups in depth so i'm not going there. you can occasionally see a progression for some of the guys...dudes that would be passed over that "turned something on" in their current draft year. while i was doing it, i just shared. it's not heavy lifting, it's a quick cut/paste of something already searched for. im watching the draft live feed. they're at the point where a dude is announced and they immediately fire up search engines looking for a quick blurb before the next pick is announced.

7 pitchers and 1 catcher...wow... system need dictated the hell out of this draft day.

Thru 15 rounds, Cubs have drafted 12 college pitchers, 11 of them right-handed. I'm sensing a trend.

3rd round pick Hatch pitching today for Okie St against the Gamecocks in a super regional. Thru three innings, no hits, 1 bb, 2 K's

Eight of the last ten Cubs selections were highly-regarded high school players who are very unlikely to sign. 

They might be able to get 31st Rd Brenden Heiss to change his mind. Comes from near Chicago, Cubs family, goes to a lot of Cubs games, might be enough to change his mind rather than go to Arkansas

Very good 22nd Rd Dante Biasi (LHP) committed to Penn State could be convinced to change because he had TJS in March and maybe they can be like our trainers/facilities are better than Penn State (which is probably true), wouldn't you rather hang out in AZ than in PA.

taking time (and boredom) to soak in the end of the draft, it seems there's a lot packed in there towards the end that are dice-rolls to be signed. after zach davis in the 32nd round, it seems tolly filotei (round 38) is the most likely guy out of all of the bunch to sign. that said, they may have done due diligence and identified some guys who have no real desire to go to college out of that slew of high school talent. i was surprised to see so few college seniors (aside from the slew they picked rounds 18-21) taken. they have little-to-no leverage by the time they're seniors. they're generally signed rather easily and cheaply even if they don't have the highest ceilings/floors. there's no use clogging up your lower levels with talent you don't want even if they're easy to sign, though. when you don't get to pick until the 3rd round it's a "wash" year for drafting anyway...especially in this new-ish era of spending caps where you can't pick an injured/risk guy and throw huge loot at him. if only a few role players or developed trade bait comes out of this draft class, that's enough of a victory...anything more is an awesome bonus. btw, thomas hatch (3rd round, cubs 1st pick) helped upset south carolina yesterday with a 7ip 4h 2bb 3k 0r/er performance.

Recent comments

  • 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...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.