Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Rockies Roll But Little Shows Off Big Arm at Talking Stick

Colorado Rockies 2021 15th round draft pick Benjamin Sems doubled, singled, walked, reached base on an HBP, stole a base, and scored a run, Rockies 2021 6th round draft pick Braxton Fulford drilled an RBI single, walked, reached base twice on an HBP, and scored a run, Rockies 2021 10th round pick Zach Kokoska singled twice, scored a run, and drove-in another, and RHSP Case Williams (Rockies 2020 4th round pick) fired five innings of one-hit shutout ball, leading the Rockies to a 6-1 victory over the Cubs in AZ Instructional League game action Saturday morning on Dust Storm Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick east of Scottsdale, AZ. 

All told, the Rockies collected nine hits (eight singles and a double) and stole four bases, but they also took advantage of nine walks, six HBP, amd nine WP to claim the victory.

Felix Stevens tripled to lead-off the top of the eighth inning and scored on a 6-3 GO to account for the lone Cub run. 

SP Case Williams has had an unusual ride since being drafted by the Rockies out of a Colorado HS in 2020. He was one of two pitchers sent to the Reds last November in the deal that sent RHRP Robert Stephenson from Cincinnati to Colorado, and then he was reacquired by the Rockies from the Reds in exchange for RHRP Mychal Givens in a 2021 MLB Trade Deadline deal. Obviously the Rockies like Williams, and were probably thrilled to be given a chance to get him back. I can see why. 

LHP Luke Little (2020 4th round draft pick out of San Jacinto JC in Texas) got the start for the Cubs and was virtually unhittable, hurling 2.2 IP with eight strikeouts (all eight outs he recorded were by punch-out), as the Rockies were able to put only one ball into play (a ground single through the 5.5 hole by the second batter he faced). But the 21-year old 6'8 230+ lefty also struggled to throw strikes, issuing three walks, hitting two batters, and uncorking three WP during the course of his outing.

Despite the command issues, Little's stuff was electric, as he mixed a 95-98 MPH FB, a 90-92 CH, an 88-91 SL/CT, and a slow CV, all thrown with a release point closer to home than is the case with the average pitcher because of his long arms. Count him as another success story from the Cubs Mesa Pitch Lab, where he has spent most of the past 16 months since signing in June 2020.

Given his pitch mix, velo, and size, I would think Luke Little -- not be confused with another Cubs minor league LHP, 2018 1st round pick Brendon Little -- is probably among the Cubs' Top 10 pitching prospects right now, with a 2022 Opening Day starting pitcher assignment at Myrtle Beach (if not at South Bend) a distinct possibility.     

The 2021 AZIL Cubs finished their schedule with a 5-11-1 record. 19 games were originally scheduled, but one game was rained-out when a severe thunderstorm hit Mesa just as the game was about to start, and another was canceled because the opponent (the Rockies) didn't have enough pitchers available to play the game.

Of course the final AZIL W-L record isn't important, but it is what it is. Fact is, the 2021 AZIL Cubs were not exactly the 1927 Yankees in terms of game performance. They were shut out four times. That said, individual player development and team building is why the players were down here, and in that respect, Instructs was a definite success.

Many of the players who were at Instructs will return on November 1st for a four-month long conditioning & development program (with time off for Thanksgiving and Christmas) that will lead-up to the start of Minor League Camp in March.        

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):
CUBS LINEUP:
1. James Triandos Jr, 2B: 0-4 (L-9, L-7,5-3, 4-3)
2. Christian Olivo, SS: 0-4 (K, F-9, K, 5-3)
3. Christian Franklin, CF: 1-3 (1-3, K, 1B)
4. Bryce Ball, DH: 0-3 (K, 4-3, P-6)
5. Felix Stevens, RF: 1-3 (F-9, K, 3B, R)
6. Ronnier Quintero, C: 0-3 (4-3, 5-3, 6-3, RBI)
7. Liam Spence, 3B: 2-3 (1B, 1-3, 1B, PO) 
8. Peter Matt, 1B: 0-2 (5-4-3 DP, HBP, K)
9. Frank Hernandez, LF: 0-3 (L-5, 6-4-3 DP, K) 

CUBS PITCHERS
1. Luke Little: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 8 K, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 60 pitches (33 strikes)
2. Luis Angel Rodriguez: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 0/3 GO/AO, 56 pitches (32 strikes)
3. Eduarniel Nunez: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 1/0 GO/AO, 21 pitches (9 strikes) 
4. Yovanny Cabrera: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 26 pitches (11 strikes)
5. Nicholas Padilla: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 1/0 GO/AO, 19 pitches (11 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: 1 
P Yovanny Cabrera: E-1 (errant pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 3rd)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE
Ronnier Quintero: 1-5 CS, 1 PB

ATTENDANCE: 24 

WEATHER: Sunny and breezy with temperatures in the 90's 

Arizona 
Scoring 
Service 

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

Comments

Phil, now that instructional scare finished, which players impressed you the most and who are disappointments.

[ ]

In reply to by azbobbop

azbobbop: Certainly LHSPs Drew Gray and Luke Little have emerged as legit significant high-end SP prospects. RHSP Luis Devers has probably displaced Koen Moreno as the top "pitchability" SP prospect in the lower levels of the Cubs system. Tyler Schlaffer (another "pitchability" guy) also had an impressive Instructs, although Devers is a better SP prospect because he has a solid three-pitch mix and knows how to use it, while Schlaffer has just the 92-94 FB & CV (although both are solid offerngs) and isn't as polished as Devers is. So barring injury, Gray, L. Little, Devers, Schlaffer, and K. Moreno should form what could be an outstanding starting rotation at Myrtle Beach coming out of Minor League Camp next Spring.

Minus one outing from hell at Angels when he got bombed in his third inning of work when he threw mainly his below-average FB, LHP Chase Watkins had a good Instructs, showing a consistent plus-CV as a swng & miss pitch and good command. Also, he is an advanced college pitcher and can throw multiple innings, so he could begin the 2022 season at South Bend as either a SP or as a multi-inning RP. 
 
BTW, the 2022 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Opening Day roster should be absolutely loaded and could be one of the most exciting Cubs farm clubs in recent memory. I may even move to Myrtle Beach just to watch them play. Marquee should probably consider broadcasting Myrtle Beach Pelicans games next season instead of Chicago Cubs games, because Myrtle Beach is where most of the organizations's best talent will be in 2022. 

Besides the five SP listed above, this projects to be the Pelicans 2022 lineup (with player's defensive versatility listed):   

1. Reggie Preciado, SS-2B-3B-OF 
2. James Triantos, 3B-2B 
3. Kevin Alcantara, CF-RF-LF 
4. Owen Caissie, LF-RF
5. Felix Stevens, RF-1B
6. Christian Franklin, LF-CF-RF  
7. Ronnier Quintero, C 
8. B. J. Murray, 1B-3B
9. Yeison Santana, 2B-SS
 
BENCH: 
Miguel Fabrizio, 1B-C
Peter Matt, 1B-3B-LF-RF
Ismael Mena, LF-CF-RF 
Rafael Morel, 3B-2B
Ezequiel Pagan, LF-CF-RF 
Malcom Quintero, C 
Bryan Serra, C-1B-2B-3B
Liam Spence, SS-2B-3B  

So get yer 2022 Myrtle Beach Pelicans season tickets now! 

Although he has played mostly SS and can absolutely handle the position, I strongly suspect that the Cubs will convert Reggie Preciado to a multi-positional INF-OF defender just as they have done with Christopher Morel. (And Preciado is a better prospect than C. Morel).

I think OF Parker Chavers will likely open the 2022 season at South Bend (he is a VERY polished player and didn't really need to work on much at Instructs). It is also very possible that older guys like Felix Stevens, Peter Matt, Liam Spence and/or Bryan Serra could open the 2022 season at South Bend, but that's TBD at Minor League Camp.  

It's also possible that some position players will be left behind at EXST just because there isn't room for them at Myrtle Beach. 

I also am not convinced that Ed Howard, Kevin Made, Luis Verdugo, Matt Mervis, and Ethan Hearn have necessarily graduated Lo-A and will absolutely for sure move-up to South Bend at the beginning of the 2022 season. Probably they will, but not for sure (again, TBD at Minor League Camp). For example, the Cubs may want to separate Howard and Made so they can both get maximum reps at SS in 2022, in which case which one moves-up to South Bend and which one stays at Myrtle Beach would have ro be decided at Minor League Camp.   

As for the Instructs "disappointments," I guess Ronnier Quintero would be #1, just because of the expectations that go with a $3M bonus. He continues to struggle behind the plate and he is not a good hitter. B. J. Murray did not build on his solid ACL season and had a rough time at the plate in instructs, and defensively he looks more comfortable at 1B than at 3B. RHP Porter Hodge has not progressed like Devers and Schlaffer and could be a candidate to be left behind at EXST. Yovanny Cabrera, Angel Gonzalez, and Dominic Hambley are remedial and will almost certainly return to ACL in 2022.   

minor league baseball has to provide housing for minor leaguers starting 2022 (paid for by MLB parent clubs).  this is HUGE news and will make it possible for guys to stick around longer without having to quit the game just to earn a basic living.  for minor league players working in expensive housing markets this is a life saver.

activist players from the OAK and LAA minor league teams as well as minor league player labor advocacy organizations were a huge part of making this happen.  good work.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

CRUNCH: One of the MLB clubs with their Spring Training / Minor League Complex on the west-side (I think it's either Texas or Kansas City in Surprise) is building a dorm for their minor leaguers right at the facility, just like at the MLB Dominican academies, where all of the players live together in a dorm on site.   

Many of the Cubs minor leaguers in Mesa have been living in a hotel across the street from Sloan Park, but it's really not available for minor league baseball players during a traditional Spring Training when the stadium is 100% open to fans and fans stay at that hotel. So I wouldn't be too surprised if the Cubs maybe look to build a players dorm somewhere near the Mesa facility (if they can find any open land in the area). 

I also wouldn't be surprised if some MLB clubs either build a dorm or purchase a motel (not a seedy one, but a decent one) to house players in close proximity to their full-season minor league clubs' stadiums. What you don't want is players living too far away from the stadium and/or in a bad neighborhood and having difficulty getting to the ballpark safely and on time. 

After all, minor league baseball (at least up through Hi-A or maybe even AA) is a lot like being in college. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I've seen and heard about way too many guys quitting their dream before it's time.

Getting someone pregnant, getting married, getting tired of not saving any money for the 4th/5th/6th year in a row isn't a long-term life.

Guys getting to hold onto even a few thousand more dollars a year saves mental and physical toll and lets dreams live longer.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Teams buying a nearby hotel makes all kinds of sense. Retain the mgmt; operate it as is 85% of the time, but the team has ultimate "dibs" for its needs. A few years back, the UW hospital bought the Best Western that is 2 blocks away for this exact reason. As a regional medical center, often they had patients coming for procedures who were unable to travel afterwards or needed to have follow up. Made more $ sense to buy the hotel that have those people stay in the hospital in-patient. 

for those keeping track of the heating-up Mets head of baseball operations search, theo has already ruled himself out.

mets want(ed) some heavy hitters (including b.beane and d.stearns), but none of them are on board...well, MIL took stearns off the board before he could chime in because he has a year left on his contract.

e.castillo and t.payne off the 40man in 100% totally expected moves.

both are/were catcher organizational depth.

The Cleveland Indians have built a dorm for players and coaches right by their minor league fields. I believe the Padres also have a dorm in Peoria.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).