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

Cub Power on Display in Maryvale

Jose Paniagua belted a solo home run, singled twice, walked, and scored three runs, Isaac Paredes doubled twice, singled, drove-in two runs, and scored three more, Marcus Mastrobuoni belted an RBI triple and a single, walked, and scored three runs, Yeiler Peguero drilled an RBI single and a two-run double, Vimael Machin collected three singles, a walk, and an RBI, Roberto Garcia ripped two doubles, scored a run, and drove-in another, and four pitchers combined to fan 17 opposing batters, helping the Cubs demolish the Brewers 15-4 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning on Field #7 (AKA "Paul Molitor Field") at the Maryvale Baseball Park Complex in Phoenix, AZ.  

Nicolas Pierre (RBI triple), Gilbert Lara (RBI double), and Yeraldy Martinez (RBI single) contributed run-scoring hits to highlight a four-run 3rd that gave the Brew Crew a short-lived 4-1 lead, before the Cubs scored the final 14 runs of the game.  

The game was called by mutual consent after 8-1/2 innings of play. 

Through today's Cactus League EXST game, the Cubs are 23-12-5.

But did you know?...  

1. SS-2B Yeiler Peguero is hitting 377/421/528 with only two strikeouts in 57 PA (including 50 consecutive PA without a strikeout 4/17 - 5/20);
2. SS (now 3B) Isaac Paredes is hitting 306/370/551 (9% K-rate) with a team-leading 16 RBI in just 16 games played; 
3. 1B Jose Paniagua is hitting 326/356/721 (11% K-rate) with a team-leading five HR (all five HR plus ten RBI in his last eleven games);
4. C-1B Marcus Mastrobuoni is hitting a team-leading 483/595/828 (5% K-rate) and is tied for the team-lead in doubles with five;
5. OF Kevonte Mitchell is hitting 277/438/426 (17% K-rate - 22% walk-rate) in 64 PA with a team-leading 14 walks and 15 runs scored and is tied for second in stolen bases with five; 
6. CF D. J. Wilson is hitting only 200/284/338 (15% K-rate) in 74 PA but he is hitting 281/343/500 over his last ten games (35 PA), and he leads the team in triples with four and in stolen bases with six,
7. 1B (ex-LHP) Chris Pieters is hitting 327/414/429 (8% K-rate - 12% walk-rate) in 17 games (58 PA) and is tied for second in SB with Mitchell,
8. 3B Wladimir Galindo is hitting 300/345/400 (25% K-rate) in 55 PA and is tied for the team-lead in doubles with Mastrobuoni; 
9. 3B-2B-SS Vimael Machin is hitting 324/600/432 (5% K-rate - 30% walk-rate) in 16 games (40 PA), and
10. SS-2B-3B Andruw Monasterio is hitting 333/367/400 (14% K-rate) in 15 games (49 PA).  


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

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Robert Garcia, CF: 2-6 (K, 4-3, P-6, 2B, 2B, 3-U, R, RBI)
2. Aramis Ademan, SS: 1-5 (4-3, L-9, 1B, K, FC+E1, R)
3. Roberto Caro, RF: 1-5 (1B, 4-3, K, K, F-7)
4. Jose Paniagua, 1B: 3-4 (1B, BB, 1B, HR, 6-3, 3 R, RBI)
5. Isaac Paredes, 3B: 3-5 (L-6, 1B, 2B, E-5, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI)
6a. Marcus Mastrobuoni, C: 2-2 (1B, 3B, BB, 3 R, 2 RBI)
6b. Jhonny Pereda, C: 1-2 (6-4 FC, 2B, R, RBI)
7. Vimael Machin, 2B: 3-4 (1B, 1B, 1B, L-7, BB, RBI)
8. Kwang-Min Kwon, DH #1: 0-5 (F-9, K, E-4, F-9, 5-4 FC, R)
9. Ruben Reyes, LF: 0-4 (1-3 SH, 5-4 FC, 4-3, E-1, 3-U, 2 R, RBI, SB)
10. Yeiler Peguero, DH #2: 2-5 (4-3, 1B, F-8, 4-3, 2B, 3 RBI, CS)

CUBS PITCHERS
1. Jose Paulino: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 2/1 GO/AO, 59 pitches (44 strikes) 
2. M. T. Minacci: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 39 pitches (25 strikes) 
3. Mark Malave: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/AO, 15 pitches (9 strikes) 
4. Pedro Araujo: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 18 pitches (17 strikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 1 
LF Ruben Reyes: E-7 (dropped pop fly allowing batter to reach 2nd base safely) 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE
Marcus Mastrobuoni: 1 PB 

ATTENDANCE: 10 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 80's 

Comments

So, the Mesa Cubs should be solid this summer in the AZL Rookie League? And, I like the, "But did you know" lead in there. Something a little different. I can tell really like this group of hitters in AZ right now. What pitchers out there, other than Cease, should we be excited about? Thanks as always for the info.

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

CHILDERS: RHSP Dylan Cease and LHSP Bryan Hudson are probably the top two SP prospects in the organization right now. 

LHSP Jose Paulino has electric stuff (91-94 MPH fastball with sinking action and a mid-80's slider), but he also has trouble commanding it.  

RHP Jose Albertos (2015 IFA - Mexico - $1.5M bonus) just turned 17 in November, and his fastball already sits at 95-96. He also throws a curve and a change-up, and is fairly advanced for a kid his age.   

As far as relievers are concerned, RHP Tommy Nance throws 94-96 with a plus-curve, RHP Daniel Lewis throws 95-97 with a hard-slider, and Pedro Araujo is a rubber-armed strike-throwing machine with both his fastball, curve, and change-up (he threw 18 pitches - 17 strikes yesterday) .

Nance pitched at U. of Santa Clara (he was their Friday night starter) but went undrafted after his senior season, sat out a year, and then pitched for Windy City (Frontier League) last season. He's a real find. He's a big dude (6'6 240+), reminds me of somebody like Brad Penny.

Lewis was in the U. S, military and was discovered by a Cubs scout pitching at Pensacola  JC in Florida. He's 25, but has a "young arm" (he's only been pitching for two years). The younger pitchers really look up to him. He's a natural leader. 

FWIW, Paulino, Lewis, and Araujo were the last three cuts from the South Bend roster at the end of Minor League Camp, and so they would probably be the first to get moved-up if slots on the SB-Cubs pitching staff become available (except so far there haven't been any...).  

Phil, what's your thoughts on which position players are going to Eugene and who is staying in AZL?

[ ]

In reply to by azbobbop

AZBOBBOP: Most of 2016 draft picks will get assigned to either Eugene or AZL Cubs, but the Opening Day Eugune roster will probably be almost 100% from the Extended Spring Training squad roster (pending the arrival of draft picks).

I think I can probably tell you which pitchers and players at EXST are in contention for roster slots at Eugene and which are in contention for slots with the AZL Cubs - AS THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW - (listed alphabetically):  

* bats or throws left 
# bats both

EUGENE 

STARTING PITCHERS: 7
Jesus Castillo
Dylan Cease
* Bryan Hudson  
Erling Moreno
* Jose Paulino
* Manny Rondon
Pedro Silverio

BULLPEN: 12 
Pedro Araujo
Jared Cheek
Enrique de los Rios
Scott Frazier
* Yapson Gomez
John Michael Knighton 
Daniel Lewis 
Mark Malave 
M. T. Minacci 
Tommy Nance
* Tyler Peitzmeier
Alexander Santana

CATCHERS
: 5
Marcus Mastrobuoni 
* Alberto Mineo
Tyler Payne
Tyler Pearson 
Jhonny Pereda

INFIELDERS: 7
Wladimir Galindo 
* Vimael Machin
Andruw Monasterio
Jose Paniagua
Isaac Paredes 
# Yeiler Peguero
* Chris Pieters

OUTFIELDERS: 7
Alex Bautista
# Roberto Caro 
Michael Foster
# Robert Garcia
* Ricardo Marcano
Kevonte Mitchell 
* D. J. Wilson

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

AZL CUBS 

PITCHERS: 18
Jose Albertos
Luis Aquino 
Javier Assad 
Jordan Brink (REHAB - post-2015 right shoulder surgery)
Jesus Camargo (REHAB - ???)
Oscar de la Cruz (REHAB - elbow)
Andin Diaz (REHAB - ???)
Wander Feliz (ex-OF)
Fancisco Garay (ex-INF)
Hector Garcia
Tanner Griggs (RESTRICTED LIST - ACTIVE AT EXST)
Luis Hernandez (REHAB - ???)
Jose Leidenz
Gabriel Lima (REHAB - ???)
Junior Marte
* Pablo Ochoa 
* Eugenio Palma 
Andry Rondon

CATCHERS
:  4 
Miguel Amaya 
Eric Gonzalez
Gustavo Polanco
Kevin Zamudio 

INFIELDERS: 9
* Aramis Ademan 
Jhonny Bethencourt
Joey Martarano (PRESENTLY NACTIVE - attending college at Boise State)
Rafael Mejia
Christopher Morel (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY AT THIS TIME - arm lacertaion)
Rafael Narea
# Yonathan Perlaza 
# Edgar Rondon 
Ho-Young Son (LIMITED ACTIVITY ONLY AT THIS TIME - ???)

OUTFIELDERS: 7
* Luis Ayala
Jose Gonzalez
* Kwang-Min Kwon
Yohan Matos (ex-C)
* Ruben Reyes
* Abraham Rodriguez
* Jonathan Sierra

Dominican Summer League (DSL) Opening Day is Saturday June 4th, so probably about 8-10 pitchers and position players presently at EXST in Mesa will be sent to the Cubs Dominican Academy (probably sometime this week) and be assigned to either DSL Cubs #1 or DSL Cubs #2.  

PHIL: It seems as if Paniagua has always played 1B with the Cubs. At 6'2 and 180#, what is his frame like? String bean? Have you seen him bulk up? Where do you project him? Thanks.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

E-MAN: Jose Paniagua isn't a string-bean, but I wouldn't say he necessarily bulked-up during the 2015-16 off-season  either, He led the DSL Cubs in HR and doubles in 2014, and he showed XBH power when he arrived in Mesa last year, leading the AZL Cubs in HR, doubles, and RBI in 2015. It's just that he has taken his HR power to a new level this year.

Paniagua displayed plus-HR power in Cactus League Minor League Spring Training games in March, and that got him a slot on the South Bend Opening Day roster. But he was sent to EXST after only six MWL games.  

He played 1B-LF-RF at EXST last year, but was moved to full-time 1B this year. And his defense has really improved. He has made several nice picks of bad throws at 1st base, and the infielders feel confident when he's playing 1st base because they know he can save them an error.  

I think it's reasonable to believe that Paniagua is a prospect of some value. He has the XBH power and defensive acumen to stay at 1B, and he should be able to play some corner OF going-forward, too.

The one negative (the elephant in the room) is that he doesn't take walks. He didn't take any walks (that's ZERO walks) in 56 PA at EXST last year, he took only nine walks in 171 PA with the AZL Cubs last summer, and he has drawn just two walks in 45 PA at EXST this year. His 11% K-rate at EXST this year is pretty good for a HR hitter, but it was 29% at EXST and 23% at AZL Cubs last year, so he still has some work to do in that area.  

Any scuttlebutt on where Neil Ramirez gets traded? He seems better than some of the relievers on competitive teams. He ought to bring more than the waiver fee. My guess? Toronto.

[ ]

In reply to by tim815

given that he seems to only be throwing low 90s these days rather than the 93-96mph he used to throw, along with his wildness issues this year, he may end up passing through. i dunno if something is wrong with him physically or his past shoulder issues has rendered him what he currently is, but he's been throwing a lot of sliders he can't control well and his fastball isn't as sharp. even when his slider wasn't working in a game he was still throwing a lot of them. hopefully, he'll slip back into the minors and at least find his control/command even if his fastball velocity doesn't return back to the mid-90s. with a fb/slider/curve combo there's still something to be hopeful for even with lowered velocity. that said, as far as his trade value...i dunno where to handicap that given the above concerns vs the fact he's still cheap with decent upside if he can get control/command of his pitches.

Great report, Phil! This organization has so many hitters to be excited about.

BRADSBEARD: If all three are assigned to Eugene, the Cubs can play Galindo, Paredes, and Paniagua at the same time by moving Paredes between SS-3B-DH, Galindo between 3B-1B-DH, and Paniagua between 1B-LF-DH. 

The Cubs like to have their players (including their minor leaguers) learn to play more than one position even if they eventually are projected to settle at one spot, and I suspect that will be reflected at Eugene, with just about everybody who will be assigned there able to play at least two positions. 

For example, Andruw Monasterio has played three positions (SS-2B-3B) at EXST, Yeiler Peguero plays both SS & 2B interchangeably, Kevonte Mitchell plays all three OF positions, and most all of the catchers at EXST have logged games at 1B. 

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...