Cubs MLB Roster

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40-Man Roster Info

37 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (three slots are open)

Last updated 11-17-2023
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 20
Adbert Alzolay 
Michael Arias
Javier Assad
Ben Brown
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
Porter Hodge
* Bailey Horn
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Daniel Palencia
Michael Rucker
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 8
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
* Matt Mervis
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Luis Vazquez
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 7
Kevin Alcantara
Alexander Canario
* Pete Crow-Armstrong
Brennen Davis
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman

 


Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Hope Goes Deep But D'backs Prevail at Talking Stick

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Ruben Santana belted a bases-loaded bases-clearing double and scored a run, Jackson Feltner hammered an RBI triple and scored a run, and Luis Caicuto drilled an RBI single, walked twice, and scored a run, leading the Diamondbacks to a 7-3 victory over the Cubs in Arizona Instructional League game action Wednesday morning on Whirlwind Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, east of Scottsdale, AZ. 

Zyhir Hope blasted a solo HR in the top of the 4th to give the Cubs a temporary 3-2 lead, and Christian Olivo singled twice, scored a run, drove-in another, and threw out a runner on the bases for the Cubs. 

The game was pre-planned as a seven-inning affair. 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

AZIL CUBS LINEUP:
1. Christian Olivo, CF: 2-3 (1B, 1B, P-3, R, RBI)
2. Ed Howard, SS: 0-1 (BB, F-9 SF, 6-3, RBI)
3a. Reggie Preciado, DH #1: 1-2 (6-4-3 DP, 1B)
3b. Wally Soto, C: 0-1 (P-6)
4. Drew Bowser, 1B: 1-3 (K, 1B, K)
5. Yahil Melendez, 3B: 0-2 (4-3, 4-3, BB)
6. Alfonsin Rosario, RF: 1-3 (3B, K, P-3)
7a. Zyhir Hope, LF: 1-1 (BB, HR, R, RBI)
7b. Leonel Espinoza, LF: 0-1 (K) 
8. Alexis Hernandez, 2B: 0-1 (BB, K)
9. Jefferson Encarnacion, DH #2: 0-2 (K, 1-3) 
10. Jose Escobar, DH #3: 0-2 (4-3, K) 
11. Adan Sanchez, C-DH: 1-2 (2B, F-8, R) 

AZIL CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Mason McGwire: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 1/3 GO/AO, 31 pitches (12 strikes) 
2. Alfredo Romero: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 3/0 GO/AO, 35 pitches (20 strikes) 
3. Raino Coran: 0.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R (5 ER), 3 BB, 0 K, 2 WP, 23 pitches (8 strikes) 
4. Dominic Hambley: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 13 pitches (8 strikes) 
5. Luis Martinez-Gomez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 2/0 GO/AO, 22 pitches (9 strikes) 

AZIL CUBS ERRORS: 1 
1B Drew Bowser: E-3 (errant underhand flip attempting 3-1 putout allowed batter to reach base safely) 

AZIL CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
1. Adan Sanchez: 2 PB 
2. Wally Soto: 0-1 CS 

AZIL CUBS OUTFIELD ASSIST: 
CF Christian Olivo - runner thrown out 8-5 attempting to advance from 2nd to 3rd after F-8

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's

ATTENDANCE: 25 

Arizona 
Scoring 
Service

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

Tags
Cubs AZ Instructional League

Comments

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 10/05/2023 - 10:07 pm

Impressive BP performance by two-way RHP / SS Nazier Mule (Cubs 2022 4th round pick) at Instructs this morning. 

Mule has been rehabbing as a position player (not as a pitcher) at the Cubs Mesa complex, and he looks like he is about ready to play in games, albeit probably initially as a DH. (A return to pitching might have to wait another year). 

It looks like he has gotten a lot stronger since 2022 Instructs (pre-elbow surgery). Lots of hard / loud contact in BP.

Also, TJ rehabbers LHRP Brad Wieck and RHSP Tyler Schlaffer threw "live" BP earlier this week, so they should be close to game-ready as well.

Presuming rhere are no setbacks, Wieck will likely get an NRI to MLB Spring Training, presuming he isn't selected by another organization in the Rule 5 Draft... (Wieck's situation is similar to Nick Burdi with the Padres this time last year).

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 10/09/2023 - 10:18 pm

i am far from a braves fan, but that PHI/ATL game 2 was insane late inning energy.  hope PHI can finish this out at home so i don't have to hear the "tommy hawk chawp" anymore this season.

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 10/10/2023 - 10:25 pm

Fox and FS1 pbp announcers, all different guys, are hyping up ordinary plays this post-season like it's nothing short of baseball history caught on camera. it's getting a bit insane seeing an ordinary double play called like an unassisted triple play by an outfielder.

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 10/10/2023 - 10:52 pm

the #5 wildcard team takes out the #1 AL record team in a 3-0 sweep. being the best is a great advantage, but getting to the playoffs through whatever means sometimes matters more...

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 10/11/2023 - 10:13 pm

The way I would do the MLB playoffs is pretty much like they do it now, with the top two seeds getting a bye in the Wild Card round, but then the top two seeds would have four days off between the end of the MLB regular season and the first game of the LDS instead of five, with the first game of the LDS featuring the #1 and #2 seeds playing each other beginning on Friday. (The LDS matching the Wild Card series winners would start on Saturday, just like they do now). 

The top two seeds would play each other in the LDS (thereby minimizing the negative effect of the four day lay-off because it would affect both teams equally), while at the same time giving the top two seeds a bye in the Wild Card series (a series you don't play you can't lose). It would also give MLB two games on the first Friday of the post-season (which presently has no games).

The "Top Seed" LDS games would be played Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday ( if necessary), and Wednesday (if necessary), and the "Wild Card" LDS games would be played Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday (if necessary), and Thursday (if necessary), played in a 2-3 format (first two games at home, last three on the road, with the #1 seeds getting to choose whether to play the first two games of their  LDS at home or on the road). 

The LCS would then begin on Saturday for one league and on Sunday for the other, and would be played in a 2-2-3 format, with games #1 & #2 played in the home park of the #1 or #2 seed (whichever one of the two wins the LDS match between the two teams), games #3 & #4 played in the home park of the Wild Card series winners that win the LDS,  and then the final three games  (#5 - #6 - #7, if necessary) played in the home park of the #1 or #2 seed. 

This would guarantee that the #1 and #2 seeds will always play each other in the post-season (albeit in the LDS not in the LCS), would give MLB two games on the first Friday of the post-season (which presently is an off day for all teams), and also would guarantee that one of the top two seeds (but not both) will always play in the LCS.

[ ]

Submitted by First.Pitch.120 on Thu, 10/12/2023 - 10:54 am

I'd love to see, but not going to happen....

 

3 division winners get byes.  All 3 WC teams play in 1 neutral location in a 3 game round robin. Pick someplace nice & warm, with a roof - split concessions & tickets between the 3 teams.  Host gets a bit of $$$ and recognition of their brand. (Like the All Star Game, can be distributed to cities as a kickback for building a new temple)  First to 2 wins advances; if everybody finishes 1-1, then tiebreaker is run differential.  The RD tiebreak is key b/c it disincentivizes throwing in the towel on a game to save pitchers/players for tomorrow.  Also wouldn't have an off-day between RR & the #1 / WC series.... A) you're the WC, deal with it; B) the RR format ensures that the winner would have had 1 of the previous 3 days off anyway.

 

The #2 / #3 series can start concurrently with the RR, allowing some overlap & fewer dead-schedule days.  Or run at the same time for consistency.

 

Submitted by azbobbop on Thu, 10/19/2023 - 10:40 pm

Phil, let me throw out a what if. Alcantra is not the defensive prospect that PCA is but he is still very, very good in center field. Is there a chance the Cubs see The Jaguar as the future in center field rather than PCA? (I like Cheetah better)

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 10/19/2023 - 10:49 pm

azbobbop: I don't think the Cubs look at it that way. 

I would say the Cubs probably see PCA as their most-likely future CF, but in case that doesn't come to pass, it could be somebody else, like Kevin Alcantara. Or Alexander Canario. Or Brennen Davis, Cole Roederer, Ezequiel Pagan, James Triantos, or Matt Shaw. Who knows? 

No question Kevin Alcantara CAN play CF (at least at this point in his career), but most observers I know project him to be a corner outfielder (probably RF) once he matures physically. 

The worst thing a club can do is lock itself into a roster plan before it's settled, before players prove themselves at the MLB level. Or rush to judgment and make a mistake in self-evaluation that will last a generation (Lou Brock and Bill Madlock). Just keep an open mind and see what happens. So five years from now, maybe Kevin Alcantara will be the Cubs CF. Time will tell.  

Meanwhile, some other things to keep in mind are that Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki (both of whom have full "no trade" rights) are signed through 2026, and PCA and K. Alcantara will not be out of minor league options until Spring Training 2027 (K. Alcantara will get four minor league options and PCA hasn't used any yet). Also, Owen Caissie does not need to be added to the 40 until post-2024 and then he won't be out of minor league options until Spring Training 2028. 

Besides that, Alexander Canario will get a 4th minor league option in 2024, so no need to rush him, either. And Brennen Davis won't be out of minor league options until Spring Training 2026. 

About 4th minor league options... 

Miguel Amaya got a 4th minor league option in 2023 and it was spent. Both Alexander Canario and Christopher Morel get a 4th minor league option in 2024, but in the case of Morel it must (barring a season-ending injury early in the season) be used in 2024 or else it will go away, but for Canario if his 4th option isn't used in 2024, it will be available in 2025, and if it is not used in 2024 or 2025, it will be available in 2026.   

Caleb Kilian gets four minor league options, too (so he won;t be out of options until Spring Training 2026). And if Michael Arias is added to the 40 post-2023, he will get four minor league options.

Not everybody can get one, and it isn't necessarily a matter of a player missing one or more seasons because of an injury. 4th options are not "awarded" by some committee,

There is a very specific (and simple) rule pertaining to a player's eligibility for a 4th minor league option. 

A player who has accrued less than five "full seasons" is eligible for a 4th minor league option.

For the purpose of determining eligibility for a 4th minor league option, a player accrues a "full season" when he spends at least 90 days on the Active List and/or Development List of an MLB and/or minor league club or clubs in a given season, or (in seasons prior to 2012) spends at least 60 days but less than 90 days on the Active List of an MLB and/or minor league club or clubs followed by an Injured List assignment where the combined time spent on the Active List and the Injured List equals at least 90 days or (beginning with the 2012 season) spends at least 30 days but less than 90 days on the Active List and/or Development List of an MLB and/or minor league club or clubs followed by an Injured List assignment where the combined time spent on the Active List and the Injured List equals at least 90 days. 
NOTE: Days spent on Optional Assignment to a club's Spring Training Complex in September count as active days toward determining eligibility for a 4th minor league option. 
CoViD-19 EXCEPTION: With regard to a player's eligibility for a 4th minor league option year in 2021 (and beyond), days spent on Optional Assignment in 2020 counted for nothing, and days spent on an MLB Active List and MLB inactive lists (IL, FMLA/Bereavement, Paternity Leave, et al) counted and were calculated at the prorated 2020 MLB Service Time rate (one day equals 2.78 days of MLB Service Time).

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    reliever market is f'n crazy.  guys that aren't "lights out" but still good are getting crazy loot.  josh hader gonna get crazy paid if these early contracts are an indication of the market.

    emilio pagan - 2/16m (8m average)

    nick martinez - 2/26m (13m average)

    reynaldo lopez - 3/30m (10m average)

    it also makes me wonder how much j.assad is worth as a trade piece in this market...or how valuable he is to the team to save money.  these swing guy types are going to start making good loot for relievers.  in 2023 there were 5 pitchers in all of MLB that pitched 200+ IP...8 in 2022...4 in 2021.  Pre-COVID you have to go back to the strike shortened 1994 to find less than 10 pitchers with sub-200 IP (Greg Maddux the only guy in 94).

  • crunch (view)

    thomas hatch is going to fight ham in japan.  he was on PIT's 40-man.

  • crunch (view)

    morel played somewhere besides 3rd and SS...he got 8 innings in CF, 2 putouts and an assist.

  • crunch (view)

    ryan flaherty new cubs bench coach.

  • crunch (view)

    bellinger wins comeback player of the year.  the AL winner was liam hendricks and his 5ip before he got tommy john...setting himself up for a 2025 shot at the award.

  • Bill (view)

    I hope that Perlaza goes on to have a successful career.  On most Cubs teams prior to the current administration, he would have been one of their more highly ranked prospects.  As far as the others are concerned, one or more may well go on to be much better than expected, but unfortunately there is no way to tell which one at the present time.  You can't keep everyone.

  • crunch (view)

    s.gray signs with the cards...3/75m

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Another one of the nine Cubs post-2023 Rule 9 minor league 6YFA has signed, as RHP Carlos Guzman (acquired from the Tigers for Zack McKinstry at the end of Spring Training) signed a 2024 minor league contract with the Mets. 

     

    So RHRP Yovanny Cruz (SD), C-INF P. J. Higgins (CIN), and now Carlos Guzman (NYM) have already signed 2024 minor league contracts with new MLB organizations, and OF Yonathan Perlaza is headed for Korea (Hanhwa Eagles).

  • crunch (view)

    ...and back to 3rd for another game.  at this point i'm gonna hang back and when/if he actually plays 1st then i'll find it notable.  i am glad he's playing a good amount of 3rd, though...give the club one more good look at him there.  shrug

  • crunch (view)

    morel played SS last night (no errors)...hit a homer and a double.  he's got 2 of both in 19PA.

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