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

Pirates @ Cubs: Nova vs Quintana (Game 132)

PIT (63-70): RHP Ivan Nova (11-11, 3.97) 
CHC (71-60): LHP José Quintana (8-11, 4.49) 
First pitch: 7:05pmCST

Q gave up 6 ER in 5 innings in Philly on Friday for the loss. He’s sporting an even 6.00 ERA for the month. The Pirates are 12-29 (.414) against him. Rodriguez is 2-4 with a HR.

Nova lost in Cincinnati his last time out (5 IP, 5 ER, 6 K, 3 BB). He’s 2-0 with a 3.29 in two starts against the Cubs this year. Overall, they are 19-97 (.196) against him. Schwarber is 2-4 with a HR.

Tomorrow, it’s Newcomb (2-7) and the Atlantas in town for a four-game series to face Hendricks (5-4) at the same time.

Go Cubs!
 

Comments

AZ Phil, Any thoughts on who made the AZ Fall League rosters? Or, who didn't make it? De La Cruz A. Mills Araujo Stinnett Bote Burks Vosler Rice

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

CHILDERSb3: The Cubs who were assigned to the AFL were among the ones I would have expected to be assigned. 

Alec Mills needs innings as a starter, and pitching in the AFL will allow that. Same goes for Oscar de ;a Cruz, althugh usually clubs assign only one SP to their AFL affiliate because AFL teams only need five SP (typically one SP from each MLB club affiliated with that AFL team).

Jake Stinnett has been lights-out in the AA Tennessee bullpen since returning from the DL and he could possibly pitch himself onto the Cubs MLB 40-man roster with a strong showing in the AFL, especially if the Cubs decide to non-tender Justin Grimm and/or Hector Rondon  And if he isn't added to the 40 on 11/20, he could become a hot commodity in the Rule 5 Draft - IF - he pitches well in the AFL.  

The only minor surprise (for me) is that OF Charcer Burks was not assigned, but that could be because the Cubs had to provide a catcher and they wanted Vosler and Bote on the roster more than they wanted Burks there. It's possible the Cubs have already decided to roster or not roster Burks, but it also could be because all of the MSS outfield slots were full. The Cubs still could assign Burks to the AFL as a "Taxi Squad" player (players on an AFL team's taxi squad can play only two games a week), and it would not surpise me if that happens. 

I was also a bit surprised about Pedro Araujo (who is eligible to be a minor league 6YFA post-2017) being included on the MSS provisional roster instead of Dakota Mekkes, but it could be Araujo has already verbally agreed to sign a 2018 minor league successor contract (a player cannot officially sign a successor contract until after the conclusion of the minor league season) and perhaps the Cubs wanted to reward him for that. Clubs do like to show loyalty to a minor league FA who re-ups, either with an NRI to Spring Training or a chance to pitch in the AFL. And from Araujo's POV, he could pitch himself into Rule 5 Draft consideration with a strong showing in the AFL, so it could work out very well for him to decline free-agency and take a slot in the AFL instead.

I think It's interesting that Araujo got the AFL slot instead of James Pugliese, Daury Torrez, or Justin Hancock (all three of whom are eligible to be minor league 6YFA post-2017), but that could be because the trio has already indicated to the Cubs that they are not interested in signing a minor league successor contract, or at least that they haven't yet decided one way or the other.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

By the numbers, Phil--I'm referring to innings, hits, walks, strikeouts--Araujo is a much better prospect than the others you mention (Pugliese, Torrez, Hancock). Araujo has a low BB9 this year (2.4) and an SO9 of 11.6. Those numbers are not far off his 7-season totals. Araujo's SO9 is exactly twice that of Pugliese. Pugliese will likely never pitch in the majors, because if he did, all that contact he gives up now will be much harder. Hancock has a high SO9. That's a recent development, I guess because his fastball has speeded up; but his BB9 of 4.4 is a red flag. If you're saying that Araujo will need to be added to the 40-man to evade the Rule 5 draft, then I hope he is added, and I would expect him to be. I saw Araujo earn a 2-inning save for Myrtle Beach against the Potomac Nationals last month. He's a beast. He's also a bit of a character. He seems to enjoy what he's doing. Before his first pitch, he walked back behind the mound and stopped and stared out at something beyond the centerfield wall. Was he praying? Meditating? I thought he was announcing to onlookers, I'm here now. I've got this. He's a cool one.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

VA PHIL: I know Pedro Araujo pretty well from his days at Extended Spring Training. He is indeed a really good guy. Very funny. He's popular with the younger Latin players, almost like a Crash Davis type. 

It's not all about stats. Araujo is in his seventh season in the Cubs organization and he is still at Myrtle Beach. That doesn't mean he is a non-prospect, but he does need to prove himself at a higher level before he will be taken seriously as a prospect.

Getting a chance to pitch in the AFL is a big opportunity for Araujo to show what he can do against better competition. 

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

The Cubs made a change after the original AFL rosters were announced yesterday: OF Charcer Burks has been added to the Mesa Solar Sox active roster, and C Ian Rice has been transferred to the MSS "Taxi Squad" (meaning he can play in no more than two AFL games per week, used to be Wednesday and Saturday only, now it's just any two days). 

AFL rosters remain provisional and are still subject to change. 

And, how's Velazquez's plate discipline?

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

CHILDERSb3: Nelson Velazquez is a bit of a free-swinger right now, but he has plus HR power that actually plays in games. There are a lot of hitters who have HR power in BP, but they can't do it in a game. 

Velazquez is a raw kid, but  I can see why he was taken in the 5th round. It will be interesting to watch him develop over the next couple of years. 

As things stand right now, I would say the Cubs have about five legit "next generation" position-player prospects who could become part of the Cubs MLB core by 2022 or 2023: SS Aramis Ademan, C Miguel Amaya, CF D. J. Wilson, 3B Wladimir Galindo, and OF Nelson Velazquez. 

i.nova has fallen off a cliff in the 2nd half...extremely hittable, lots of homers... this should be fun

Wha?? Cardinals trade Leake to the Mariners for a minor league SS who is hitting .217?

Brewers and Cards split. OK by me. Brewers host Nats for 4 (facing Gio, Scherzer and the revitalized EJax) while STL goes to SF to face MadBum and Shark, among others.

jack flaherty seems to be the one taking leake's place in STL. weaver + flaherty...john gant lingering on the outside...alex reyes is still a stud, even if his elbow is getting over TJ surgery...

"Addison Russell (foot) felt renewed soreness prior to his minor league rehab game on Wednesday and is returning to Chicago for a medical recheck." boo.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Javy Baez has played shortstop every game since Addison Russell went on the DL on 8/3, and while Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist, and/or Ian Happ could play SS in a pinch. I would think the Cubs will add a more-legit SS (even if it's somebody who is more of a utility player than an every day SS) to the MLB 40-man roster in September.  

My best guess is Mike Freeman, who was signed to a minor league contract by the Cubs after he elected free-agency after being outrighted to the minors by the Dodgers on 8/5. Freeman can play anywhere in the infield and outfield and is a high-percentage base-stealer, and while he probably wouldn't be needed on the 25-man roster in the post-season (unless Baez gets hurt), Freeman would fill a need in September for a player who can fill-in for Baez occasionally.  

All players on an MLB club's MLB 40-man roster as of midnight 8/31 are eligible to be on the club's Post-Season Eligibility List (from which the 25-man active lists are chosen prior to each post-season series), but a player on the MLB 60-day DL is not eligible to be on the club's Post-Season Eligibility list or be replaced on the club's Post-Season Eligibility List (and thus on a post-season active list) by a player who is not on the club's MLB 40-man roster (but who is on a Cubs minor league affiliate's reserve list) as of midnight 8/31 until the injured player has spent at least 60 days on the DL . 

If it turns out Addison Russell cannot play anymore this season and is transfered to the Cubs MLB 60-day DL to open up a slot on the Cubs MLB 40-man roster for another player, he would be spending his 60th day on the DL on the last day of the MLB regular season (Sunday 10/1), and thus the Cubs could transfer him to the 60-day DL anytime prior to last day of the MLB regular season and he would be eligible to be replaced on the Post-Season Eligibility List (and thus on a post-season active list) by a player who is not on the Cubs MLB 40-man roster (but who is on a Cubs minor league affiliate's reserve list) as of midnight 8/31. So Mike Freeman does not have to be called up prior to midnight 8/31 to be eligible to play in the post-season (if necessary). 

wtf Q? ...again. *checks eloy jimenez's AA stats* DAMMIT.

31 pitches, 8 batters faced, 2 runs... that's a vintage 2017 cubs 1st inning. it's like Q was here all season.

Back-to-back HBP on 0-2 to force a run. Unbelievable. Methinks we may have gotten ourselves a mentally fragile pitcher. He's never pitched important, late-season games, and he doesn't seem to have the mental toughness to do so. What the hell.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

The catcher, Stewart, is no rookie, either. Baez ran down the line on the bunt "attempt", got the catcher to throw to third and then dashed home with the 3rd baseman not even bothering to throw it home. Sometimes he just makes the other team look silly...

Wow...great over wall catch saved win for Brewers. Inch from Cardinals taking the lead. 4.5 game lead sounds much nicer than 3.5 game lead.

[ ]

In reply to by JoePepitone

That had to be his best outing as a Cub: 3 outs (including 2 Ks) on just 12 pitches (only 2 balls!!!) Just gotta give him a 10+ run lead and he's filthy ... He is starting to add up some scoreless appearances which is encouraging, but not quite ready to take the training wheels off just yet.

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

I haven't seen anyone hit his 97 mph fastball. I referred earlier to the at-bat where Votto fouled of about six of those. There must be something deceptive about his hard stuff. He also has a cutter (?) that is a couple mph slower, that they also don't hit. They do connect with his dinky 85-mph curve(/slider?).

Cubs now the first team in history with 5 players aged 25 or younger to hit 20 HR, including their first round picks from 2011 (Baez), 2013 (Bryant), 2014 (Schwarber) and 2015 (Happ). That is how you build "sustained excellence". They are now 29-15 since the break, despite injuries to Contreras, Lester and Russell Maybe Theo and Jed do know what they're doing (I realize Baez was a Hendry pick). But, I will continue to dispense advice freely! Of all the unexpected surprises (redundant, I know) in 2017, having Avila and Rivera as their catching tandem heading into September may be the biggest.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

They don't get credit for Contreras, either. This might be a good time to give Tim Wilken three cheers for seeing something in Javy that others missed. He drafted Javy ahead of Lindor, for example. McLeod, who took Cory Spangenberg for San Diego with the pick following Wilken's, has said on several occasions that he wasn't high on Baez. (Not sure why, working for the Cubs, he would say that even if it was true.) Is it just me, or has Baez changed as a hitter just in the last week or two? Changed = gotten better.

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.