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

2021 Cubs MLB First-Year Player Draft Ticker Tracker

CUBS 2021 MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT PICKS 

DAY ONE (7/11)

1st ROUND (21) 
Jordan Wicks, LHP 
L/L, 6'3 220, Age 21 
Kansas State 
COLLEGE JUNIOR 
COMMENT: Polished D-1 college LHSP with a four-pitch mix and plus-command... his CH is rated the best in the draft... FB 92-93 T-95 can cut into RH hitters or away from LH hitters, and two-seamer can ride into LH hitters or tail away from RH hitters... also has above-average SL and an OK CV... went 6-3 with a 3.70 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, with 28/118 BB/K, .249 OppBA, 90 hits and 9 HR allowed, in 92.1 IP (15 GS) for K-State in 2021... named to Big 12 All-Conference First Team and third team All-American in 2021... was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and was named to Collegiate Baseball Freshman All America team in 2019... was named to Academic All Big 12 team (business major) all three seasons... was an all-state kicker on his HS football team...        
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $3,132,300 

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


DAY TWO (7/12) 

2nd ROUND (56) 
James Triantos Jr, 3B
R/R, 6'1 195, Age 18 
Madison HS - Vienna, VA
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of North Carolina  
COMMENT: Bat-first HS SS with plus arm and above-average speed who will move to 3B in pro ball...  was two-way player in HS (SS/RHP)... features a low-mid 90's FB that has touched 96 and a promising slider as a pitcher... was rated the #1 prospect in Virginia by Baseball America...  his HS baseball team was ranked #1 in Virginia HS 6-A in 2021...  
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $1,276,400

3rd ROUND (93) 
Drew Gray, LHP 
L/L, 6'3 190, Age 18 
IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Arkansas
COMMENT: Hometown is Swansea, IL (suburban St. Louis)... transferred to IMG from Belleville East HS... two-way player (LHP/OF) at IMG but will pitch full-time in pro ball... features a 90-94 MPH FB with a high spin rate, a mid-70's 12/6 CV, and a sweeping low-80's SL/CT... has command issues... will join RHP older brother Evan at U. of Arkansas and be a two-way college player if he does not sign with Cubs...    
BONUS SLOT VALUE
: $627,900

4th ROUND (123)
Christian Franklin, OF 
R/R, 5'11 195, Age 21 
U. of Arkansas
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: Was rated the #1 prospect in Arkansas by Baseball America going into the draft... has just average speed and arm but is a super flyhawk who made a number of spectacular catches while playing Gold Glove caliber CF at Arkansas... makes hard contact and draws walks but there is also lots of swing & miss in his game...  was middle-of the-order hitter as a sophomore in 2020 but moved to lead-off spot for Razorbacks in 2021... hit 292/383/455 with 9 HR & 45 RBI, 11 doubles, two triples, 14 SB (3 CS), and 34/80 BB/K in 78 games (303 PA) over the course of three seasons at Arkansas... was named to SEC All-Freshman team in 2019... was rated #1 high school player in Missouri by Perfect Game in 2018...  
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $464,500 

5th ROUND (154)
Liam Spence, SS 
R/R, 6'1 190, Age 23 
U. of Tennessee 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Australia native who will probably play for the Aussies in the next WBC... polished D-1 college shortstop... first team all-SEC, first-team SEC All-Defensive Team, and third team ABCA/Rawlings All American in 2021... played in College World Series in 2021... led SEC in OBP and was 5th in NCAA D-1 in walks in 2021... played JC ball for two seasons at Central Arizona College and was a member of the Vagueros NJCAA National Championship team in 2019 prior to transferring to Tennessee... hit 363/475/562 with 9 HR & 61 RBI, 26 doubles, 26 SB (4 CS), 52/56 BB/K, and 19 HBP in 94 games (385 PA) over the course of two seasons at Central Arizona 2018-19... hit 336/472/459 with 5 HR & 36 RBI, 11 doubles, 54/50 BB/K, and ten HBP in 65 games (312 PA) for Volunteers in 2021... older brother Josh pitched at Arizona State and then worked out of the bullpen for San Diego Padres 2011-12... as a 23 year old college senior, Spence likely agreed pre-draft to a five-figure signing bonus in order to free-up $300K+ in SBP for other Cubs draft picks...  
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $343,400

6th ROUND (184)
Riley Martin, LHP 
L/L, 6'1 215, Age 23 
Quincy University 
COLLEGE 5TH YEAR SR  
COMMENT: Hawks Friday starter... big-time strikeout guy... led Great Lakes Valley Conference (NCAA D-2) in wins and strikeouts in 2021... went 9-3 with a 3.55 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, with 66 hits allowed (two HR), .221 OppBA, 34/152 BB/K, and 12 GS (3 CG) in 78.2 IP in 2021... features 88-92 MPH FB and a CV... was named Quincy University's 2021 Scholar-Athlete of the Year... plans to be a pharmacist if he does not play pro balll... suffered broken ankle as HS senior that negatively affected his chance to pitch at a D-1 program... as a 23-year old 5th year college SR, Martin likely agreed to a pre-draft well-underslot five-figure bonus that will free-up $200K+ for other Cubs draft picks...    
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $263,700

7th ROUND (214)
Parker Chavers, OF 
L/R, 5'11 185, Age 22 
Coastal Carolina 
COLLEGE REDSHIRT JR 
COMMENT: Recruited as a five-tool OF out of HS (Montgomery, AL)... has plus-speed and plays Gold Glove defense in CF... missed 2020 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder... has raw power and takes walks but also has swing & miss tendencies and struggles against LHP... hit 319/426/530 with 27 HR & 129 RBI, 36 doubles, seven triples, 33 SB (11 CS), 101/131 BB/K, and 20 HBP in 168 games (750 PA) over the course of three seasons at CCU... hit 270/359/467 with five HR and nine doubles in 36 games for Cotuit in Cape Cod League in 2019... was named to Freshman All-American Team by Collegiate Baseball in 2018...  
BONUS SLOT VALIE: $206,500

8th ROUND (244)
Casey Opitz, C 
B/R, 5'11 200, Age 22 
U. of Arkansas 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: College teammate of Cubs 2021 4th round pick Christian Franklin... was selected in 27th round of 2017 draft out of HS by Cleveland Indians but did not sign... has been Razorbacks #1 catcher since midway through his freshman season... outstanding defensive catcher... intelligent, consistently blocks balls in the dirt, and has thrown out 43% of baserunners attempting to steal against him in college career... rated by Baseball America as having the best arm among catchers eligible for selection in the 2021 draft... generally makes light contact and takes walks but has very little power... batted 254/367/348 with 6 HR & 67 RBI, 20 doubles, and 79/100 BB/K in 148 games (542 PA) over four seasons at Arkansas... a younger brother of ex-Cubs minor league infielder (and current ACL Rockies manager) Jake Opitz... Casey Opitz is another college senior who likely agreed pre-draft to a well-below-slot bonus to free-up $100K+ in SBP space for other Cubs draft picks...   
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $168,500

9th ROUND (274) 
Chase Watkins, LHP
L/L, 6'4 215, Age 21
Oregon State 
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: Beavers #1 lefty reliever in 2021... started college baseball career at Cal Poly and then transferred to the College of Central Florida (JC), before ending up in Corvallis... although he was used exclusively as a reliever at OSU, he was a SP as a freshman at Cal Poly in 2019 and at CCF in 2020, and he actually features a SP repertoire, including a 90-92 MPH FB, a hammer CV, a sweeping CT/SL, and a CH... went 3-4 with a 4.88 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, 22 hits allowed (only one HR), and 15/38 BB/K in 31.2 IP (25 games) out of the Beaver bullpen in 2021...       
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $152,300

10th ROUND (304) 
Peter Matt, OF
R/R, 6'2 220, Age 23 
Duke 
COLLEGE 5TH YEAR SR 
COMMENT: Member of National Honor Society... a 2021 NCAA graduate transfer... received his undergrad degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 before enrolling in The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University in 2021... features a power/speed combo with a strong RF arm, although he also strikes out a lot... hit a combined 306/377/474 with 19 HR & 106 RBI, 38 doubles, 34 SB (5 CS), and 72/149 BB/K in 167 games (739) in his college career at Penn and Duke...  like Spence, Martin, and Opitz, Matt likely agreed to a pre-draft underslot bonus to free-up $100K+ in SBP space which can then be re-directed to Cubs draft picks who may require an overslot bonus to sign... 
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $143,900

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


DAY THREE (7/13)

NOTE: A signing bonus in excess of $125,000 for any player selected in Rounds 11-20 as well as for any player eligible for selection in the draft who is not selected and who is subsequently signed as a Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) count against a club's Rule 4 Draft Signing Bonus Pool (SBP). 

11th ROUND (334)
Gage Ziehl, RHP 
R/R, 6'0 215, Age 18  
Penfield HS - Penfield, NY 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Miami 
COMMENT: Stocky right-hander throws from 3/4 arm slot... features low-90's (T-95) FB and a high-spin low 80's above-average but inconsistent swing & miss SL... CV and CH show promise but need work... was a member of Team USA U15 squad that won gold medal in Panama in 2018... commited to U. of Miami when he was a sophomore in HS and he will attend The U if if he does not sign with Cubs...  

12th ROUND (364)
Teo Banks, OF 
R/R, 6'3 190, Age 18 
Permian HS - Odessa, TX 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: Tulane 
COMMENT: Two sport star (baseball OF/RHP and football LB) in HS... five-tool OF led his HS baseball team to Texas HS 2-6A state championship... was named district MVP... shows plus-power, plus-arm, and above-average speed... was a two-way player (OF /RHP) up until his senior year in HS and FB was clocked at 91-92 off the mound, but he will play OF in pro ball... will attend Tulane if he does not sign with Cubs...   

13th ROUND (394)
Erian Rodriguez, RHP 
R/R, 6'3 190, Age 19 
Georgia Premier Academy - Statesboro, GA
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Northwest Florida State College (JC) 
COMMENT: Was one of the hardest throwing pitchers in GA HS baseball in 2021... Features 95 MPH FB but secondaries need work... added seven MPH to FB, grew an inch, and added 15 pounds between junior ans senior years in HS... will attend NWFSC and will be eligible for the draft again next year if he does not sign with Cubs...   

14th ROUND (424)
Frankie Scalzo Jr, RHP 
R/R, 6'3 183, Age 21 
Grand Canyon University 
COLLEGE SR 
COMMENT: Antelopes closer... went 2-2 with 12 saves, 2.12 ERA, and 1.08 WHIP, allowing 21 hits (only one HR) and 11/31 BB/K in 29.2 IP for GCU in 2021... hometown is Vista, CA (San Diego County)... attended San Jose State prior to transferring to GCU... hobbies include surfing and playing the ukulele...  

15th ROUND (454)
B. J. Murray, INF 
B/R, 6'0 205, Age 21 
Florida Atlantic University 
COLLEGE JR 
COMMENT: Hometown is Nassau, Bahamas... Switch-hitting 3B-2B with HR pop from left-side... bat took a big jump in 2021... fourth in Conference USA in HR in 2021... hit 264/373/502 with 18 HR and 65 RBI, 14 doubles, and 52/85 BB/K in 92 games (362 PA) over the course of three seasons at FAU...  was a Rawlings/Perfect Game honorable mention All-American in HS at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, FL... 

16th ROUND
(484)
Zachary Leigh, RHP 
R/R, 6'0 170, Age 23 
Texas State 
COLLEGE 5th YEAR SR 
COMMENT: Bobcats Friday night starter... went 4-8 with a 5.03 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, allowing 92 hits (13 HR) and 30/86 BB/K in 89.2 (15 GS) in 2021... played both baseball and football in HS, and was an all-state DB in football...   

17th ROUND (514)
Christian Olivo, SS 
R/R, 5'11 168, Age 17 
Leadership Christian Academy - Guaynabo, PR
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: Seminole State College (JC)
COMMENT: Athletic and versatile infielder who is primarily a SS but he can also play 2B-3B... contact hitter with line-drive stroke... average runner... plus defender... has plus arm and threw 90 MPH off the mound earlier in his career... will attend Seminole State College and will be eligible for the draft again next year if he does not sign with Cubs...

18th ROUND (544)
Dominic Hambley, RHP 
R/R, 6'2 230, Age 18 
Belmont Secondary School - Langford, BC 
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: Oregon State 
COMMEMT: Features 91-93 FB that touches 95, a CH, and a CV/SL, all with above-average spin rates, but command needs work... pitched for Victoria Eagles in British Columbia Premier Baseball League (one of the top amateur leagues in Canada)... will attend Oregon State if he does not sign with Cubs...    

19th ROUND
(574)
Daniel Avitia, RHP 
R/R, 6'3 170, Age 18 
Alhambra HS - Phoenix, AZ
HIGH SCHOOL 
COLLEGE COMMIT: Grand Canyon University 
COMMENT: Features 91 MPH FB... won eight games with a 0.84 ERA, .158 OppBA, and 96 K in 58.2 IP for the Lions in 2021... threw no-hitter versus Sunnyslope to help Alhambra advance in the playoffs, and then out-dueled Chandler Hamilton and Arizona's #1 HS pitching prospect Brock Selvidge with a CG ten strikeout performance that put the Lions in the 2021 Arizona 6-A State Championship game in May (Alhambra lost)... older brother David is a catcher at Grand Canyon University, and Daniel will attend GCU if he does not sign with the Cubs...   

20th ROUND (604)
Wilson Cunningham, LHP 
L/L,6'8 185, Age 18 
JSerra Catholic HS - San Juan Capistrano, CA 
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Chicago 
COMMENT: Two-way player (LHP/ OF) with the elite JSerra HS baseball program (top 10 nationally) prior to senior season... athletic soft-tossing lefty who grew four inches in the last year... won mathematics department's gold award at JSerra in 2021 and he will attend the University of Chicago if he does not sign with the Cubs (or maybe even if he does sign with the Cubs!)...   


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

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.
NOTE: Per an agreement between MLB and the MLBPA that was signed in March 2020, the 2020 MLB First-Year Player Draft (only) will be reduced from 40 rounds to five rounds and will be held (remotely) on June 10th (1st round) and June 11th (rounds 2-5), and the 2021 draft will be a minimum of 20 rounds on dates TBA. 

Competitive Balance Rule 4 Draft picks are slotted in two groups (Competitive Balance Round "A" is slotted after the 1st Round, and Competitive Balance Round "B" is slotted between the 2nd and 3rd rounds). 
NOTE: Beginning with the 2017 Rule 4 Draft, Competitive Balance draft picks will no longer be awarded by lottery. Rather, all clubs who qualify (the ten smallest market clubs and the ten lowest revenue clubs) will receive Competitive Balance draft picks in either Competitive Balance Round "A" (between the 1st & 2nd round) or in Competitive Balance Round "B" (between the 2nd & 3rd rounds), with each club alternating between the two rounds every-other year.

If an Article XX-B Qualified Player subsequently signs a Major League contract with another (different) MLB club prior to the MLB Rule 4 Draft (MLB First-Year Player Draft), the player's former club (the club that lost the Qualified Player) normally will receive a compensatory draft pick in the MLB Rule 4 Draft between the 2nd & 3rd rounds (after Competitive Balance Round "B"). 
EXCEPTIONS: An MLB club that receives revenue sharing funds would receive a compensatory draft pick immediately after the conclusion of the 1st round (prior to Competitive Balance Round "A") - IF - the Qualified Player signs a contract worth at least $50M (the club would receive a compensatory draft pick between the 2nd & 3rd rounds and after Competitive Balance Round "B" if the Qualified Player signs a contract worth less than $50M), and an MLB club that is a Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) payor (club's payroll from the previous season exceeded the so-called "Luxury Tax") would receive a draft pick between the 4th & 5th rounds. 
NOTE: If more than one club receives the same type of compensatory pick, the draft order for the comp 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). 

An MLB club that signs an Article XX-B player who was extended a Qualifying Offer from his previous club forfeits its 2nd highest selection in the next MLB Rule 4 Draft and $500,000 is subtracted from its assigned International Signing Bonus Pool (ISBP) in the next full International Signing Period (ISP). 
EXCEPTIONS: An MLB club that receives revenue sharing funds would surrender its 3rd highest selection in the draft but nothing is subtracted from the club's ISBP in the next full ISP, and an MLB club that is a CBT payor (club's payroll from the previous season exceeded the so-called "Luxury Tax") would forfeit its 2nd & 5th selection in the draft and have $1,000,000 subtracted from its ISBP in the next ISP. 
NOTE: The Competitive Balance Tax threshold will be $195M in 2017, $197M in 2018, $206M in 2019, $208M in 2020, and $210M in 2021.

The next highest Rule 4 Draft pick (or draft picks) will be forfeited if a club signs more than one Article XX-B player who was extended a Qualifying Offer from his previous club (one draft pick forfeited for each Qualified Player signed). 
NOTE: A CBT payor (club's payroll from the previous season exceeded the so-called "Luxury Tax") would forfeit its 3rd & 6th highest selections if the club signs a second Qualified Player, its 4th & 7th selections if the club signs a third Qualified Player, and its 8th & 9th highest selections, 10th & 11th highest selections, etc, for additional Qualified Players signed. 

Draft picks subject to forfeiture include the club's own Rule 4 Draft picks, compensatory draft picks awarded to the club after losing an Article XX-B Qualified Player, and draft picks awarded as the result of the Rule 4 SBP Forfeited Draft Pick lottery (including draft picks that were subsequently acquired in a trade). Competitive Balance draft picks (including Competitive Balance draft picks acquired in a trade) and a compensatory draft pick awarded to a club for failing to sign a pick from a previous Rule 4 Draft are - NOT - subject to forfeiture.
NOTE: Prior to the 2018 MLB Rule 4 Draft, Competitive Balance draft picks were subject to forfeiture.

A Rule 4 Draft pick forfeited as the result of a club signing an Article XX-B player who was extended a Qualifying Offer from his previous club is not transferred to any other club (it just disappears).

Beginning with the 2018 Rule 4 Draft, any MLB club that had a payroll from the previous season that was $40M or more above the Competitive Balance Tax threshold will have its highest draft selection moved down ten slots, unless its first selection is among the top six picks in the draft, in which case it will have its second-highest draft slot moved down ten slots.
NOTE: In determining whether a club would have its highest or second-highest draft pick moved down ten slots, the six "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 -- these compensatory draft picks are already "protected."


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

An individual is eligible for selection in the First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft) if the person is at least 17 years old, has not previously signed an MLB or minor league contract, and is either a resident of a U. S. state or territory or Canada and has been for at least one year, or is not a resident but was enrolled in a high school (known as "secondary school" in Canada) or college in a U. S. state or territory or Canada within the previous year, and...

1. Player has graduated from high school and has received a diploma (if the player graduates early from high school and receives a diploma prior to turning 17, the player is eligible for selection if he turns 17 no later than 45 days after the draft and the player submits written notice of early graduation to the MLB Commissioner by January 15th); or

The player's high school class has graduated (12th grade) and 

2. Player has not yet graduated from high school but player's high school athletic eligibility has expired; or

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

4. Player attended a junior college the previous school year; or

5. Player is attending a four-year college and the school has no baseball program, or

6. Player is attending a four-year college and player has completed at least junior year of athletic eligibility, or

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

8. Player withdrew from a four-year college at least 120 days prior to the draft.

A player dismissed from a four-year college for academic reasons less than 120 days prior to the draft is eligible for selection only with the consent of the MLB Commissioner. 

For purposes of draft eligibility, a GED is not considered a high school diploma.
NOTE: Prior to the 2017 draft, a GED was considered equivalent to a high school diploma for purposes of draft eligibility. 

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.

A high school player eligible for selection may elect (in advance) to have his name removed from draft eligibility in that particular Rule 4 Draft.

Prior to the draft, the MLB Commissioner's office will designate what it considers to be the Top 300 players in the draft, and offer each of the players an opportunity to furnish in advance of the draft access to the player's certified medical history available to be reviewed by all 30 MLB clubs. Players are not required to participate in the program, but if a player declines to participate, the player may not furnish medical records to any club or clubs prior to the draft.    

From among the Top 300 players, the MLB Commissioner's office will designate what it considers to be the Top 50 pitchers in the draft, and offer each of the pitchers an opportunity to submit a recent certified MRI of the pitcher's shoulder, elbow, or any other part of the body that has received medical treatment during the course of the previous season, available for review by all 30 MLB clubs prior to the draft. Pitchers are not required to participate in the program.   


FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DTAFT  ) - 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 the signing deadline (whichever comes first), and if a club does not sign a Rule 4 Draft pick by the deadline (5 PM Eastern on the Friday that falls during the week July 6-12), 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.
EXCEPTIONA college senior with no baseball eligibility left 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).
NOTE: The signing deadline is August 1st in 2021.  

A player selected in the Rule 4 Draft will be declared a free-agent if he is not offered a contract by the signing deadline.

A 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.
NOTE: A player eligible for selection in the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft who is not selected can be signed by any MLB club as a Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) with a maximum bonus of $20,000 beginning at 9 AM (Eastern) on June 14th, but clubs are not permitted to discuss with a draft-eligible player the possibility of signing the player as a NDFA prior to the draft, during the draft, or anytime after the conclusion of the draft prior to 9 AM on June 14th. 

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 who signs after being selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft (First-Year Player Draft) cannot be traded until after the conclusion of the World Series (no earlier than 9 AM on the day after the final game of the World Series), or for 90 days if the player signs after the World Series. 
NOTE: Previously, a player signed after being selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft could not be traded until the first anniversary of the player signing his first contract.

A player signed after being selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft (First-Year Player Draft) cannot be a PTBNL in any trade made prior to the conclusion of the World Series.

CUBS 2021 MLB RULE 4 NEGOTIATION LIST 
TBA 

CUBS 2021 MLB RULE 4 NDFA SIGNED
TBA 


FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) - SIGNING BONUS POOL 

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 2021 Rule 4 Draft SBP is $6,779,400  

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 $125,000 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 $125,000 is deducted from the club’s SBP.
NOTE: A player eligible for selection in the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft who is not selected can be signed by any MLB club as a Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) with a maximum bonus of $20,000 beginning at 9 AM (Eastern) on July 14th, but clubs are not permitted to discuss with a draft-eligible player the possibility of signing the player as a NDFA prior to the draft, during the draft, or anytime after the conclusion of the draft prior to 9 AM on July 14th.  

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).


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

A Rule 4 Draft compensation pick is awarded to a club if the club is unable to sign a player selected in one of the first three rounds of the MLB Rule 4 Draft (including compensation draft picks between rounds 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4, Competitive Balance draft picks, draft picks awarded to a club after the club loses an Article XX-B MLB Free-Agent Qualified Player, and draft picks assigned to clubs from the SBP forfeited draft pick lottery).

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. 
EXCEPTION: A club is not required to 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 the drafted player is one of the Top 50 pitchers designated by the MLB Commissioner's office prior to the draft and the pitcher declined to submit an MRI

If a player selected prior to the 3rd 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 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 after the 3rd round 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).
NOTE: In 2020 (only), if a player selected in the 3rd round of the Rule 4 Draft did not sign, the club received an extra compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than where the club selected the previous season rather than after the conclusion of the 3rd round. . 

A club would receive another compensation pick in the next Rule 4 Draft after that if a player selected with an extra compensation pick does not sign (same slot as the extra compensation draft pick for a player not signed after being selected prior to the 3rd round, and between the 3rd round compensation picks and the 4th round for a compensation draft pick not signed after being selected after the 3rd round), 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.

A compensation draft pick awarded to a club after the club is unable to sign a player selected in a previous draft is NOT subject to forfeiture if that club signs an Article XX-B player who was extended a Qualifying Offer from another club.

Beginning with the 2018 MLB Rule 4 Draft, Article XX-B Qualified Player Compensation draft picks will be slotted between the 2nd & 3rd round of the draft (immediately after Competitive Balance Round "B"), between Rounds 1 & 2 (prior to Competitive Balance Round "A") for any club receiving revenue sharing funds that loses a Qualified Player who signs a major league contract worth more than $50M, and between rounds 4 & 5 for Competitive Balance Tax payors (club's payroll exceeds the so-called "Luxury Tax").

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 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.

A compensation draft pick awarded to a club after losing an Article XX-B Qualified Player to another club is subject to forfeiture if that club signs a player who was extended a Qualifying Offer from another MLB club.


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

"Competitive Balance" Rule 4 Draft picks are slotted between the 1st and 2nd rounds (Competitive Balance Round "A") and between the 2nd and 3rd rounds (Competitive Balance Round "B").

Beginning with the 2017 Rule 4 Draft, Competitive Balance draft picks will no longer be awarded by lottery. Rather, all clubs who qualify (the ten smallest market clubs and the ten lowest revenue clubs, some of which are the same club) will receive Competitive Balance draft picks in either Competitive Balance Round "A" (between the 1st & 2nd rounds) or in Competitive Balance Round "B" (between the 2nd & 3rd rounds), with each club alternating between the two rounds every-other year.

Beginning with the 2018 Rule 4 Draft, Competitive Balance draft picks will no longer be subject to forfeiture by clubs signing a Qualified Player.

A Competitive Balance draft slot can be traded only during a period of time starting on December 2nd and extending up until two hours prior to the MLB First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft). 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 Competitive Balance 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.
NOTE: 2020 and 2021 Rule 4 Competitive Balance draft picks cannot be traded beginning on March 28, 2020, and extending through the conclusion of the 2021 draft.  

If a player selected with a Competitive Balance 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.


FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) - SBP FORFEITED DRAFT PICKS 

A Rule 4 SBP Forfeited draft pick that is forfeited because a club exceeded its Rule 4 Draft Signing Bonus Pool limit will be reassigned to another club by lottery to be held on the Wednesday following the MLB Rule 4 Draft signing deadline. All MLB clubs that have not exceeded its SBP limit as of that point in time are eligible to participate in this lottery.

As with Competitive Balance draft picks, Rule 4 SBP Forfeited draft picks can be traded, but only during a period of time beginning on December 2nd and extending up until two hours prior to the MLB First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft), 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 club that is awarded a Rule 4 SBP Forfeited Draft pick subsequently exceeds its SBP, the pick will be forfeited and another lottery will be held (date and time TBA by the MLB Commissioner) to allocate the pick to another club.

If a club trades a Rule 4 Forfeited Draft pick to another club, it cannot subsequently sign a player subject to the club's Rule 4 SBP if signing the player causes the club to exceed its SBP.

If a player selected with a Rule 4 Draft SBP 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 Draft SBP forfeited draft pick does not sign.

Comments

on the pitching front, the cubs have been recently linked to mike mcgreevy and will bednar...both are off the board (bednar, 14th, SF) (mcgreevy, 18th, STL).

cubs totally cash in on a dude that wasn't expected to last long enough for the cubs to pick him.

can't complain.

[ ]

In reply to by cubbies.4ever

lulz.

granted, it wasn't a lefty-pitching kinda draft, but the cubs managed to snag the top lefty college pitcher with pick 21.  it's hard to get stoked about picks this deep, but that's a nice mini-bonus.

Overall, like the pick.  Seems like a departure from last years philosophy of drafting higher upside/higher risk guys and more like earlier years of picking polished college prospects. Curious if Cubs are approaching draft differently or if this was just a case of pivoting because they were surprised to snag him at this point of the draft. 

PS: Super big thank you to AZ Phil for doing these recaps.  Best Cubs draft coverage to be found! 

 

Let's just say Jordan Wicks joins Cubs right away.  They would have Rowan Wick, Brad Wieck, and Jordan Wicks.  Is there Wisdom in that? (Sorry couldn't resist)

[ ]

In reply to by cubbies.4ever

that would be wicked cool.

on the dissapointing part of this notion...2020 2nd round pick, burl carraway, was picked with the notion of being fast-tracked to the majors to work out of the pen.

he's currently sporting a 10.29era/2.43whip in 14 innings of A+ ball.  i don't think he's gonna be 2021 ready...

If you want to continue the name game.  Jordan Wicks becomes closer.  Cubs play STL.  Who gets the save Jordan Wicks or Jordan Hicks?

Burl Carraway may have been picked to fast track, but it's their 2020 UDFA Ben Leeper who has been rocking it already in Iowa, yet not on the Cubs MLB Top 30.

The Cubs must be going big at some point (or maybe one of the 4 before was), their 5th and 6th rd picks seem like guys they could get on day 3 for nothing.  Has to be pre-agreed.  7th Rd sounds about the same.  But hey I'm not a scout, there's probably a plan (hopefully)

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In reply to by cubbies.4ever

I am also wondering if this strategy change is related to the  draft only being 20 rounds.  After 40 rounds, I'd imagine that the pool way  is picked-over.  After 20 rounds, I think that there would be some interesting organizational pieces and projects that might be available - with greater access to be able to make a "pitch" to those players.  ie, does having greater flexibilty to access the pool of players available in "rounds" 20-25 make it more palatable to take some shots on signability in rounds 10-15?

True.  I don't know about 2nd, but the 3rd (although having to be shutdown due to arm issues) has a brother at his commited school (Arkansas) so he may play that card.

The Cubs have been spending a lot of time in Arkansas I guess.  Drafted 2 playing for Arkansas Razorbacks (4th, 8th), one committed to Arkansas (3rd) and one from Arkansas (1st)

2nd Rd Pick James Triantos in news cast interview says today he will forgo college and sign with the Cubs

I figure they saved/stored up about 1.2mil for the overshot offers from Rds 11 to 20.

They did something a little different this year. They drafted a college Sr in the 5th Rd. They usually draft a decent Jr or HS guy in 5th. That means they saved a decent piece of cash there.

They should be able to offer some serious cash to highly rated guys here. If I'm correct. That's a sizeable if.

This years (so far) feels a like a total 180 degrees.  All 5 I had some excitement for, but what I have read only this year is the 1st and 2nd picks (Hicks and Triantos) do I feel excitement for.  Other than those 2 (IMO) the others are gonna have to do the David Bote grind to ever see Chicago.  Plus HS kids are often wild cards (Triantos).  I hope those guys prove me wrong.

I love the Casey Opitz pick at #8 b/c I feel like these are the small, smart, oportunistic choices that individually may not be game-changers, but in accumulation make a difference.  I don't care if CO ever hits above .200 but as this year has shown, you can never have enough defense-first catchers, that can throw out runners, & handle a pitching staff.  And below slot?  Awesome. 

My wish list for rounds 11-20: 

Nick Biddison - UTL - avb avg speed; takes walks; can play anywhere but SS; down year perhaps due to injury

Seth Stephenson - JuCo SS with blazing speed

Mack Anglin - Clemson P - wild but wipe out breaking stuff (Maples isn't going to be here forever)

 

I could see Gray, Franklin, and Chavers turning into actual prospects, though they are low floor as well, especially Gray and Chavers. Franklin I think could end up as a Juan Lagares type. I don't think that's his ceiling though.

Watkins screams LHRP, which gives him an automatic head start on his journey.

Just read that the Angels selected 20 pitchers in their first 20 picks.  19 college arms and 1 HS.  That is staying very committed to a draft strategy. 

"Commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters at the 2021 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday that the runner on second extra innings rule and seven-inning doubleheaders are "much less likely to be a part of our permanent landscape" than other recent changes."

also, it seems the A's/MLB organized crime shakedown, i mean "negotiations", with the city of oakland have ended.

there's a july 20th hearing on corporate welfare for a billionaire worth 3.5 billion dollars, i mean "public support" for building a new ballpark.

nothing has been publically stated, but las vegas might be getting a baseball team in a few years.

PHIL - I know that 40-man players on a minor league injured list cannot be placed on outright waivers... what about a situation where the player was injured but still on the active roster of his minor league team at the time of the DFA? Would such a player have a grievance claim if he is outrighted while injured? Thanks.

[ ]

In reply to by jdrnym

jdrnym: It doesn't matter if a player is on an IL or not, an injured player ("injured" being defined as a player being unable to render service due to injury or illness) - CANNOT - be placed onto Outright Assignment Waivers except during the period of time starting on the day after the conclusion of the MLB regular season up through the minor league reserve list filing deadline (normally 11/20). 

Otherwise, a player on an MLB 40-man roster who is on an MLB or minor league IL - CAN - be placed onto Outright Assignment Waivers as long as the player is healthy enough to play and the player is eligible to be reinstated from the IL. However, a player who is placed on an MLB IL during Spring Training cannot be placed onto Outright Assignment Waivers prior to MLB Opening Day. Also, MLB Rule 5 Draft picks and MLB Rule 6 Draft-Excluded players cannot be placed onto Outright Assignment Waivers until restrictions have been removed, and a player on the Paternity Leave List, Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency List, Military List, Restricted List, the minor league Temporarily Inactive List, Voluntary Retired List, Ineligible List, or Disqualified List cannot be placed onto Outright Assignment Waivers until the player is reinstated.  

So for example, RHP Dillon Maples is on the Cubs MLB 10-day IL, but he has been on an MLB Article XIX-C Minor League Rehab Assignment at AAA Iowa for a couple of weeks and he is eligible to be reinstated from the IL. So Maples could be placed onto Outright Assignment Waivers even though he is on the Cubs MLB 10-day IL.  

If a player on an MLB or minor league IL is placed onto Outright Assignment Waivers and is not claimed and Outright Assignment Waivers are secured, the club must reinstate the player from the IL within 72 hours and either outright the player to the minors or place the player back onto the active list roster. If the player is claimed by another club off Outright Assignment Waivers, the player must be reinstated from the IL within 72 hours by the claiming club. Remember, too, that a player does - NOT - have to be outrighted just because Outright Assignment Waivers have been secured, unless the player was Designated for Assignment prior to being placed onto waivers or while he is on waivers.

Outright Assignment Waivers secured on a player on an MLB IL or on a minor leaue optional assignment are  said to be in effect (or "good") for 72 hours, but otherwise, if secured during the period of time beginning on the 31st day of the MLB regular season up until one hour after the MLB Trade Deadline, the Outright Assignment Waivers are "good" for the entire period. Waivers secured during the period of time beginning one hour after the MLB Trade Dealine are "good" though August 31st. Waivers secured beginning on September 1st through the 30th day of the next MLB regular season are "good" until 1 PM (Eastern) on the seventh day after the waiver was secured or the 30th day of the MLB regular season, whichever comes first.

The MLB "waiver call" is 2 PM (Eastern) every busness day, and with the exception of the Saturday and Sunday prior to MLB Opening Day, every day of the week is a business day during Spring Training and the MLB regular season. (Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and the days between Christmas Day and New Year's Day are not considered to be MLB "business days," starting on the day after the conclusion of the MLB regular season up until the first day of Spring Training). A player's waiver claiming period (or "waiver ride") normally lasts 47 hours (although it could be a lot longer than that in the off-season if the MLB office is closed for business) and ends at 1 PM Eastern on the second business day after the player was placed onto waivers.   

So (for example), if Outright Assignment Waivers have been secured on a given player in a given waiver period (either the one begining on the 31st day of the MLB regular season that runs up until one hour after the MLB Trade Deadline, or the one that begins one hour after the MLB Trade Deadline and runs through August 31st -- let's say it's the one that runs from the 31st day of the MLB regular season up until one hour after the MLB trade Deadline), that player can be outrighted to the minors more than once in that waiver period without the club having to place the player onto Outright Assignment Waivers each time (subject to the right of Article XIX-A players to decline a minor league assignment, and the right of Article XX-D players to elect free-agency if outrighted). For instance, the Cubs sent LHRP Kyle Ryan outright to Iowa on May 11th, and then they selected his contract on July 9th. So if they want to outright him to the minors again prior to one hour after the MLB Trade Deadline, the Cubs would not have to place him back onto Outright Assignment Waivers again before outrighting him (although as an Artcle XX-D player, Ryan could take the opportunity of the Outright Assignment to elect free-agency). 

An injured MLB Rule 5 Draft pick or MLB Rule 6 Draft-Excluded player cannot be placed onto Outright Assignment Waivers until restrictions have been removed and any player on the Military List, Restricted List, Voluntary Retired List, et al, cannot be placed onto Outrright Assignmen Waivers until the player is reinstated, but otherwise all other injured players can be placed on Outright Assignment Waivers without restriction anytime beginning on the day after the conclusion of the MLB regular season up through the deadline to file minor league reserve lists (normally November 20th, but it wil be November 19th this year because 11/20 falls on a Saturday in 2021, and saturdays, sundays, and holidays are not "business" days during the off-season). 

The only other caveat is that a player claimed off Outright Assignment Waivers during Spring Training or during the MLB regular season cannot be placed back onto Outright Assignment Waivers again for at least 48 hours or unti the player has spent at least one day on the claiming club's active list roster, and a player who is claimed off Outright Assignment Waivers during the period of time beginning on the day after the conclusion of ther MLB regular season up until the first day of Spring Training cannot be placed back onto Outright Assignment Waivers again for at least seven days.   

If a player is placed onto Outright Assignment Waivers anytime after 11/20 and extending through the conclusion of the next MLB regular season and is claimed by another club, and then the player does not pass his physical with his new club, the claiming club can file a grievance with the MLB Commissioner. And if the grievance is sustained, the player will be returned to the player's original club, and the claiming club gets its money back and the player's original club cannot place the player back onto Outright Assignment Waivers again until the player is healthy, and even then the MLB Commissioner must give his consent. (Cub fans might remember this happened with Brian Schlitter a few years ago). The MLB Commissioner is also empowered to levy a fine and/or other penalty (TBD) if it is determined that the club knew (or should have known) that the player was injured when they placed him onto waivers. 

That's why some players are non-tendered on December 2nd. The club can remove the player from its MLB 40-man roster without risking having the player claimed off Outright Assignment Waivers, and then the club can perhaps subsequetly re-sign the player to a pre-arranged minor league contract (preferably after the conclusion of the Rule 5 Draft), presuming the player is willing to sign. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

So designating an injured player for assignment is effectively limiting the team to releasing him, right? Can't be placed on outright waivers...I guess he could be traded but the acquiring team would have to put him on the major league IL. So the only hope for keeping him is to request release waivers and hope he agrees to re-sign on a minor league contract.

[ ]

In reply to by jdrnym

That's right. If an injured player is Designated for Assignment and it's not during the period starting on the day after the conclusion of the MLB regular season up through the reserve list filing deadline in November, a trade or outright release are the only two options. A non-tender would be a third option if the player was DFA'd within seven days of the contract tender date in December. 

As you said, the player could get released and then re-sign (minor league contract) with the club that released him, especially if the club is offering the player a salary bump to do it.  

Of course, the player could get claimed for $1 by another club off Outright Release Waivers before he becomes a free-agent, but the player would have the right to decline the claim and forfeit the balance of his salary (and that's any player on an MLB 40-man roster who is claimed off Outright Release Waivers, not just Article XX-D or Article XIX-A players). And if the player does refuse the Outright Release waiver claim and gives up the balance of his salary going forward, it could be because his former club has guaranteed his pre-release salary plus a little bit more if he agrees to re-sign with the club after being released. 

The problem for the club would be if the player is a decent prospect with some value. He (and his agent) might decide to shop for a better deal (more money and/or a better opportunity) someplace else after he becomes a free-agent, and he just might get it. Or the player might decide that being claimed off Outright Release Waivers and going onto the claiming club's MLB IL would be a good thing. And if that happens, the player's former club loses the player and doesn't even get the $50,000 waiver price!  

The other option for the club would be to recall the player from his Optional Assignment and place him directly onto the MLB 60-day IL, instead of a DFA. The problem with that is the player would have to remain on the 60-day IL for at least 60 days (time spent on the minor league IL would not count toward the minimum 60 days he must spend on the MLB 60-day IL), and the player would accrue MLB Service Time  - AND - be paid at the major league rate instead of his minor league split salary for the entire 60 days. 

[ ]

In reply to by Dolorous Jon Lester

Besides evaluating a player in games and in practices, one of the jobs of the area scout is to determine whether or not a player is interested in signing, and how much of a bonus he would want if he were to be drafted.

That requires a scout to talk to a player and his coach and his family pre-draft, but with CoViD-19 restrictions in place with most high school and college programs, that has been next to impossible.

So I would expect a higher than normal percentage of drafted players not signing this year than in previous drafts. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

gee...i wonder if the cubs did anything to their scouting staff to further hurt something like that...such as firing a bunch of them last august and september...

that might be a coincidence, but blowing picks #11 and #12 without negociations getting deep is a misstep.

11th Rd pick Gage Ziehl says no to Cubs.  Cubs now 0-2 on their first 2 day 3 non-slot picks.

 

[ ]

In reply to by cubbies.4ever

The fact that Gage Ziehl committed to "The U" during his sophomore  year in high school probably should have been a pretty good indicator that he really, really, really, really wants to go there. 

The Cubs will probably have much better luck with the college seniors taken in the first ten rounds (Spence, Martin, Opitz, and Matt), because there is no way any of the four would have been taken there unless they had agreed to pre-draft underslot deals.  

Cubs OF prospect Cole Roederer underwent Tommy John surgery yesterday on his throwing arm. He is expected to be ready for Opening Day 2022.

Agreed.  If you are going to save a lot of extra slot $ (which it looks like they did) for a "splash" on the third day I'd have assumed they'd do it in the 11th or 12th before someone else had a chance to do the same.  If you knew a guy really, really wanted to go there period and there was no talking him out (and both said within 24 hours of getting drafted, no) then why mess with them at all especially in 11th or 12th when you could one.

Rd 19 Daniel Avitia has family connections to and has the "really, really, really since he was a kid" wants to go Grand Canyon, so that maybe the same situation as Ziehl at 11.  Seems like they may have left a lot of money on the table.

MiLB and MLB announced the extension of the triple A season to Oct 3rd, adding 10 more games. Somewhere, Mike Wellman is smiling!!!

Brereton 2021-12G (2GS), 1-0, 16.2IP, 25/10 K/BB. 7.02 ERA

Santana 2021- 15GS, 5-8, 2 CG, 100.1 IP, 102/35 K/BB, 4.66 ERA, 16WP, 9 HBP (A little wild I guess)

Why wasn't he picked?  The guy just turned 25, but he's 6'8" and  In 2021- 14GS 10-2, 2.31 ERA, 5 CG, 1 SHO, 89.2, 86/18 K/BB and a no-hitter at Southern Miss (not a small Div 2 or JC.)  2020 (covid Shortened) 4GS, 3-0, 1.24 ERA, 1 SHO, 29IP, 22/2 K/BB

 He seems already polished and if his numbers don't lie he can skip the low levels and be playing his age level at Iowa or Tenn.

I guess Powell has had 2 TJS, but that sure hasn't slowed 2020 UDFA Ben Leeper this year.

the sole game tonight (yanks/rsox) has been postponed because of a yankees covid outbreak.

3 positive tests, seems to be extremely minor at it's worst.

Looks like that girl that was mocked that broke the Richard Brereton signing was right.  It is official, he signed with Cubs.

Powell injury plagued, obviously.  But he put up good numbers every year he was there.  He must have something good if he can post those numbers including a no hitter in Div I.  Maybe people aren't use to a 6'8" that can't throw 100.  Don't tell Maddux or Hendricks that velocity matters.  But hey I'm not a scout and only time will tell.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

...and so it begins.

the return seems to have some upside (power, walks).  he's not gonna be ready any time soon, but it's not like joc pederson was something special for the cubs this season even if he had his moments.  good pop, cruddy D...fun guy in the clubhouse.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

kimbrell should net something nice, at least.

it's hard to tell who's most likely to go out of rizzo/baez/bryant, and how many of them.  dunno if anyone cares about z.davies...maybe as much as j.pederson.  personally, i really want to see contreras still wearing a cubs uniform in 2022...

I expect Bryant is gone, and Rizzo and Baez will be given qualifying offers.  Of course I don't really know anything. 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

I think Baez is gone too.  His ability to play 2nd and 3rd helps his value.  My guess is they keep Rizzo and give him a qualifying offer.  That way if he declines then it's on him for not being a Cub going forward. 

Curious what they will get for Chafin.  Everybody needs a quality reliever; he may be more valuable than I think. 

- 07/15/21 Chicago Cubs signed OF Christian Franklin.

- 07/15/21 Chicago Cubs signed LHP Riley Martin.

it's easy to look at ARZ's win/loss record and tell they suck (26-66), but holy crap...this team is awful.  the pitching is terrible...they got no steady power outside of e.escobar...i would like to mention once again their pitching sucks because that's how bad it sucks.

i watch a lot of ARZ baseball when the cubs are done playing and there is very little redeeming value on this team going forward aside from cason kelly (who's injured) and ketel marte (also injured).

that said, i expect the cubs to be swept because cubbery.  enjoy the series.

Now that the Top 10 are starting to sign, we get to see how cheap and mismanaged the slot value funds were used this season, since they already have #1 and #4 (afterwards seems talent starts to slip) signed there's no holding out on those 2 like guys in the past:  Alex Lange, Ethan Hearn, Koen Moreno, Dylan Cease, Trevor Clifton, Andy Weber.  All taking it down to the 11th hour to get every last penny makes me wonder since there was nobody designated "very tough sign" (Like Cease, Hearn, and Clifton were) in 11-20 rds (or so it appears).  Given Clifton was the only one outside top 10 (13th rd).  Dillon Maples was the same way (14th), but back then there was no slot values so the Cubs gave him a record (I think for after round 5, let alone 14) $2.5 Million.  He was going to go to UNC to pitch and play punter on football team.

Franklin $425,000 (slot $464,500), Martin $1,000 (slot $236,700).  There's a lot of savings already there.

They already got Nebraska, they'll probably try to get an Illinois democrat seat and then write the money off they "donated" to get that seat as a tax deduction, politics and baseball at it's best.

I'm hoping they convince one of their 11th or 12th Rd guys, Ziehl or Banks, to rethink and sign. 

They'll legitimately have over 1mil in funds.

Hambley gets some of that to forego his Oregon St commitment. Maybe Olivo gets a little more than the set 125K slot. But, they'll have plenty left to make Ziehl or Banks a 3rd Rd slot amount offer. 

We'll see

Maybe they can.  Including the 5% overage where it doesn't cost you a 1st Rd pick between Wicks, Martin, Franklin they have already saved $524,835

Cubs sign 3rd rd Gray, 5th rd Spence, 7th Rd Chavers, 8th Rd Opitz, 9th rd Watkins, and 10th rd Matt.  Money TBA.  Leaving only 2nd rd James Triantos unsigned.......

In signing photo 10th rd Peter Matt is writing with his left hand, yet bats and throws right.  Javy Baez......

3rd- Drew Gray $900,000 (Slot $627,900, oversloted by $272,100), 8th- Casey Opitz $90,000 (Slot: $168,500) - Cubs remain (with 5% overage) +$371,055 extra savings

 

Well, these bonuses aren't helping the plan of signing Ziehl or Banks.

Gray needed 900k. Watkins and Chavers got 125k each. So, the plan wasn't to save a lot of cash. It was to sign just a one or two prep guys from 11th to 20th rounds. 

Spence and Matt deals still to be announced. Might be able to save 400k+ there. That would make the total underslot cash around 600k+ for Hambley and others from 11th to 20th

Something to keep in mind about players who sign after being selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft (First-Year Player Draft):

A player signed after being selected in the First-Year Player Draft must be added to the active list roster of a minor league affiliate with 15 days after signing or when he plays in his first regular season minor league game (whichever comes first), but the player does - NOT - count against his organization's 180-man minor league Domestic Reserve List until he plays in his first game or until the day after the conclusion of the MLB regular season (whichever comes LAST). So there is an incentive for a club to have a drafted player - NOT - play in minor league games in the season in which he is drafted, instead delaying his pro debut until post-season instructs or Spring Training. This rule only applies to players who sign after being drafted, not to Non-Drafted Free-Agents (NDFA). 

[ ]

In reply to by Dolorous Jon Lester

DJL: They are not Signed for Future Service.

A 2021 draft pick who is placed on a minor league affiliate's active list roster (it would be ACL Cubs because the complex leagues have no active list roster limit) after signing but then doesn't play in minor league games that season doesn't have to be added to the club's 180-man minor league Domestic Reserve List until after the season. But they are signed to a 2021 contract and they do have to be placed on a minor league affiliate's Active List roster within 15 days after signing (again, it would be ACL Cubs because there is no active list roster limit), although the player won't count against the minor league Domestic Reseve List limit unless and until the player plays in an ACL game. 

Agents usually advise their clients not to Sign for Future Service because while it does not delay eligibiliy for the Rule 5 Draft (which is determined by when the player signs, not if he was Signed for Future Service), it would delay eligiblity to be an MLB Rule 9 (formerly MLB Rule 55) minor league six-year free-agent by a year. So you almost never see a Rule 4 Draft pick or post-Rule 4 Draft NDFA agree to be Signed for Future Service, although it does happen occasionally (like if the player is injured).

Last year RHP Angel Gonzalez-Martinez was signed as a post-Rule 4 Draft NDFA out of Puerto Rico, and he did agree to be Signed for Future Service. Because he was a post-Rule 4 Draft NDFA instead of a Rule 4 Draft pick, he would have counted against a minor league reserve list 15 days after signing, but by Signing for Future Service he did not.have to be added to a minor league reserve list until 2021 minor league Opening Day. Being Signed for Future Service meant AGM would make his pro debut in 2021 instead of in 2020, but of course the 2020 minor league season had already been canceled when he signed in July. 

I can see why the Cubs wanted AGM to be Signed for Future Service, but I do not know why he would have agreed to it, although up to two Puerto Rican players can be assigned to the DSL and there were already other international players Signed for Future Service working out at the Cubs Dominican Academy last July-August in preparation for Domminican Instructs, so that may have been a factor in his decision.   

A player can be "Signed for Future Service":(contract is for the next season) only during a six-month window (7/1 - 12/31) and only with the consent of the club and the player. It happens a lot in international free-agency because the players are often 16 or 17 and are not yet ready to play in pro games, and the reserve & active list roster limits in the DSL are only 35 players (both reserved & active) or 70 if the MLB club has two DSL affiliates (like the Cubs do), so there just isn't room for extra players (especially ones not ready to play in games) on DSL active list rosters. 

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...