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

Cubs Newcomers Make Good First Impression at Riverview

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Michael Cruz and Robel Garcia belted back-to-back home runs on consecutive pitches, Brandon Vicens drilled a bases-loaded bases-clearing double, and Derek Casey fired three innings of no run/no hit ball with five strikeouts, in Cubs Minor League Camp intrasquad game action Friday afternoon on John Arguello Way at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

The 23 year old Vicens was signed recently by the Cubs as a non-drafted free-agent (NDFA) out of the University of Maine, where he played both baseball (CF) and football (FB) for the Black Bears. He grew up in Hialeah, FL, and played HS ball against Cubs CF Albert Almora Jr. He attended Miami-Dade CC prior to transferring to Maine in 2016. The son of a Puerto Rican father and a Cuban-American mother, Vicens was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 35th round of the 2014 draft out of HS but decided to attend college instead. Now that he can concentrate on baseball full-time, he might be able to unlock some of the potential he displayed as a HS All-American CF at American Heritage School in Plantation. (His HS won three state championships while he was there, one in football and two in baseball).  
 
Robel Garcia (not to be confused with Cubs minor league 2B Reivaj Garcia) was signed by the Cubs last October after he starred for Team Italy in the AZ Instructional League. (The Italian team spent parts of September & October with the Oakland A's squad at Fitch Park). Soon to be 26, the switch-hitting Dominican had previously played five seasons of affiliated ball in the Cleveland Indians organization, before being released in 2014.    

Casey was the Cubs 2018 9th round draft pick out of UVA, and the 6-2 190 23-year old righthander was really sharp today, mowing down hitter-after-hitter over the course of his three innings of work as he effectively mixed a FB, CV, SL, and CH to keep hitters off-balance. Cubs 2018 2nd round compensation pick Paul Richan also threw in the game, but Casey really stood out.      

Here is the box score frrom the game: 

SQUAD "A" LINEUP:  
1a. Edmond Americaan, CF: 0-2 (K, K) 
1b. Brennen Davis, CF: 0-1 (BB, 6-3, R) 
2a. Levi Jordan, 2B-DH: 0-2 (F-7, F-8) 
2b. Brandon Vicens, PH-RF: 1-2 (2B, F-9, R, 3 RBI)
3a. D. J. Artis, LF: 0-2 (K, 4-3)
3b. Eric Gonzalez, C: 0-1 (6-3) 
3c. Rafelin Lorenzo, C: 1-1 (1B) 
4a. Tyler Alamo, 1B: 1-2 (1B, F-7, R)
4b. Yeiler Peguero, SS: 1-1 (1B, SB)
4c. Gustavo Polanco, 1B: 0-1 (K) 
5a. Christopher Morel, SS: 0-1 (P-3)
5b. Jose Gutierrez, PH-LF: 0-2 (6-3, 3-U) 
6a. Jimmy Herron, DH: 0-1 (F-9)
6b. Luis Diaz, PH-2B: 0-2 (K, 1-3)
7a. Michael Cruz, C: 1-1 (HR, R, 2 RBI)
7b. Fidel Mejia, 1B: 2-2 (1B, 2B, R) 
7c. Cam Balego, 3B: NO AB 
8a. Robel Garcia, 3B: 1-1 (HR, R, RBI)
8b. Orian Nunez, PH: 0-1 (K)
8c. Clayton Daniel, 3B-SS: 0-1 (K)
9a. Luis Ayala, RF: 0-1 (L-6)
9b. Kwangmin Kwon, RF-DH: 1-2 (1B, K, R) 

SQUAD "B" LINEUP:
1a. Fernando Kelli, CF: 0-2 (6-3, F-8) 
1b. Caleb Knight, C: 1-1 (1B) 
1c. Benny Kaleiwahea, C: 0-1 (K) 
2a. Cole Roederer, LF: 1-2 (1B, 4-6 FC, SB) 
2b. Jamie Galazin, CF: 0-1 (BB, F-8) 
3a. Austin Filiere, 3B: 0-1 (K) 
3b. Zach Davis, LF: 0-2 (4-3, 1-2 FC) 
3c. Kevin Moreno, LF: 0-1 (K) 
4a. Luke Reynolds, 1B: 0-1 (K),  
4b. Delvin Zinn, 2B: 1-2 (1B, K) 
4c. Henderson Perez, PH: 0-1 (5-3) 
5a. Jake Slaughter, 2B-DH: 0-1 (K) 
5b. Brandon Hughes, PH-DH: 0-2 (4-6 FC, F-7)
6a. Jonathan Sierra, RF: 1-1 (1B) 
6b. Chris Pieters, RF: 0-1 (BB, K) 
7a. Grant Fennell, DH #1: 0-0 (BB) 
7b. Yonathan Perlaza, 3B: 0-1 (BB, K) 
8a. Erick Castillo, C: 1-1 (1B) 
8b. Josue Huma, SS: 0-2 (F-8, 5-3) 
9a. Luis Vazquez, SS: NO AB
9b. Austin Upshaw, 1B: 1-2 (1B, K) 
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
10. Chris Carrier, DH #2: 0-2 (K, E-5)  
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TIME THRU BATTING ORDER

SQUAD "A" PITCHERS: 
1. Tyson Miller: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/AO, 43 pitches (27 strikes) 
2. Paul Richan: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 2/0 GO/AO, 17 pitches (10 strikes) 
3. Ben Hecht: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 29 pitches (16 strikes) 
4. Derek Casey: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 2/2 GO/AO, 39 pitches (27 strikes) 

SQUAD "B" PITCHERS: 
1. Tom Hatch: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 2/5 GO/AO, 34 pitches (26 strikes) 
2. Cam Sanders: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 3/0 GO/AO, 39 pitches (22 strikes) 
3. Ryan Williams: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 16 pitches (11 strikes) 
4. Jake Steffens: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 11 pitches (9 strikes) 

SQUAD "A" ERRORS: 1 
3B Cam Balego: E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

SQUAD "B" ERRORS:
NONE 

SQUAD "A" CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Michael Cruz: 0-1 CS 

SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Caleb Knight: 0-1 CS 

ATTENDANCE: 38 

WEATHER: Partly cloudy & breezy with temperatures in the 60's 

Arizona
Scoring
Service

"Just because it isn't oficial doesn't mean it didn't happen"

Tags
Cubs Minor League Spring Training Game Recap
Brandon Vicens
Michael Cruz
Derek Casey
Robel Garcia

Comments

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 03/09/2019 - 03:09 am

This is what I wrote about Stephen Ridings last June at the end of Extended Spring Training: 

"The "wild card" may be 22-year old 6'8 Stephen Ridings. who ramped his FB up to 95-96 in some of his outings at EXST, and with his size and relatively young age he could add some MPH to his FB eventually. Ridings struggled a bit with command and consistency at EXST but was assigned to Eugene anyway, and since he was not stretched-out beyond one inning at EXST, he will likely work as a late-inning reliever going forward (at least in the immediate future) where his velocity would play-up."

[ ]

Submitted by tim815 on Sat, 03/09/2019 - 03:29 am

While I agree it likely isn't a ringing endorsement of (among others) Eddy Martinez, if Ridings wasn't looking like he was going to make the South Bend bullpen (Plausible), getting something for him is better than a pur release. (Gretzky for a trumped up version of Scosscia's kid?)

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 03/09/2019 - 03:41 am

TIM: I think Ridings is a better prospect than that. He improved his command a lot after he arrived at Eugene, and he would have very likely been in the South Bend bullpen this season. I suspect the Royals will send him to Lo-A (just like the Cubs would have done), and if all goes well there I would expect a July or August promotion to Hi-A and then a gig in the AFL (something the Cubs probably would not have done), and if that goes well he could - conceivably - get added to the KC MLB 40-man roster post-2019 (something the Cubs definitely would not have done) since he is Rule 5 Draft eligible post-2019. 

As for Dewees, I would be surprised if he ever plays in MLB. He probably has a better chance of eventually replacing Doug Dascenzo as Minor League Outfield & Baserunning Coordinator. 

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 03/09/2019 - 03:04 am

BTW, if you want to see what the Cubs think of their more "advanced" OF prospects, look at who they initially assigned to the Tennessee squad at Minor League Camp: 

OUTFIELDERS: 
Edmond Americaan 
D. J. Artis 
Brennen Davis 
Jimmie Herron 
Fernando Kelli 
Kevin Moreno 
Jonathan Sierra 

Not to mention Nelson Velazquez getting initially assigned to the Iowa squad. 

Now obviously, Velazquez is not making the Iowa Opening Day roster and none of the seven outfielders assigned to the Tennessee squad are making the Tennessee Opening Day roster (or even the Myrtle Beach Opening Day roster for that matter), but the Tennessee squad at Minor League Camp has no Connor Myers, no Zach Davis, no Roberto Caro, no Luis Ayala, no Jose Gutierrez, no Chris Singleton, no Brandon Hughes, and no Chris Pieters.

The only two outfield "prospects" presently on the Iowa roster at Minor League Camp who are even somewhat likely to make the Tennessee Opening Day roster are D. J. Wilson and Kevonte Mitchell, and I'm not even sure either of those guys are ready for AA. Which means Donnie Dewees, Wynton Bernard, and Yasiel Balaguert (who can play 1B-LF-RF) could (conceivably) be the Smokies Opening Day OF! Yikes!  

Of course, the Cubs could play Jared Young at both 1B and in LF at Tennessee, but even if Young makes the Smokies Opening Day roster (and think it's better than 50-50 that he does) and plays half his games in LF, there still is a dearth of outfield talent at AA.  

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 03/09/2019 - 03:29 pm

DLS: For whatever reason, the Cubs assigned Cole Roederer to the South Bend squad at the beginning of Minor League Camp. Why he was "left behind" (so to speak) while B. Davis, Americaan, Sierra, Kelli, Herron, and Artis (and even Kevin Moreno!) were assigned to the Tennessee squad, I do not know. 

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    booooooooooo

    also, wisdom and taillon are both in chicago.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Tonight’s game postponed. Split games on Saturday.

  • crunch (view)

    cubs getting crazy good at not having player moves leak.

    taillon we 100% know is pitching tonight.  who he's replacing and any additional moves are unknown as far as i can tell.

    p.wisdom was not in today's lineup in iowa (rained out) and he was removed from the game last night mid-game, but not for injury.  good bet he's with the team in the bigs, too.

  • 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.

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