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

Diamondbacks Red Bats Too Much for Cubs at Talking Stick

SP Erick Reynoso tossed three innings of shutout ball, Junior Franco singled twice, scored two runs, and drove-in two more, Ruben Santana (Diamondbacks #17 prospect) drilled an RBI single in the 4th and walked and scored in the 6th, and shortstop Cristofer Torin (Diamondbacks #16 prospect) singled, stole a base, and scored a run in the 1st, belted an RBI triple and scored in the 5th, and made a highlight reel backhanded catch in short LF to end the game, as the Diamondbacks Red squad cruised past the Cubs 7-4 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Monday morning on Whirlwind Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, east of Scottsdale, AZ.   

Jefferson Rojas ripped a line-drive two-run single, walked, stole two bases, and scored a run, Frank Hernandez reached base four times (a single and three walks), scored a run, and threw out a runner at the plate, Christopher Paciolla hammered an RBI double down the LF line and scored a run, Ed Howard singled twice and drew a walk, and SP Luis Rujano hurled three innings of one-run / one-hit ball for the Cubs, albeit in a losing cause.  

The game was pre-planned as an eight inning affair. 

Just called up from the Cubs Dominican Academy, 20-year old INF Lizardo Ruiz (2019 IFA - Dominican Republic) made his stateside game debut, relieving Anderson Suriel at 1st base in the bottom of the 4th inning and getting two AB. He contributed an RBI GO in the 5th, and then he drew a walk and stole a base in the 7th. 

In one other EXST Cubs roster move, RHP Manuel Espinoza has completed his rehab and has been reinstated from the South Bend 7-day IL.    

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

EXST CUBS LINEUP:
1. Christopher Paciolla, DH-SS: 1-5 (K, F-8, 6-4-3 DP, 2B, 3-U, R, RBI)
2. Jefferson Rojas, SS-DH: 1-4 (F-9, K, BB, 1B, F-7, R, 2 RBI, 2 SB) 
3a. Ed Howard, 2B: 2-3 (BB, 1B, 1B, P-6) 
3b. Raino Coran, RF: 0-1 (K) 
4a. Adan Sanchez, C: 0-3 (K, BB, P-3, F-8) 
4b. Jairo Diaz, C: 0-1 (P-6)
5. Brayan Altuve, CF: 2-3 (1B, 1B, HBP, 5-3) 
6a. Anderson Suriel, 1B: 0-2 (F-9, L-3)
6b. Lizardo Ruiz, 1B: 0-1 (6-3, BB, RBI, SB) 
7. Alexis Hernandez, 3B: 1-4 (1B, K, F-8, K) 
8. Christian Olivo, RF-2B: 1-4 (F-7, K, 1B, P-4, R) 
9. Frank Hernandez, LF: 1-1 (BB, 1B, BB, BB, R) 

EXST CUBS PITCHERS
1. Luis Rujano: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, 5/2 GO/AO, 42 pitches (23 strikes) 
2. Scarlyn Lebron: 2.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R (5 ER), 4 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 2/1 GO/AO, 56 pitches (28 strikes)
3. Tomy Sanchez: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 0/2 GO/AO, 42 pitches (25 strikes) 

EXST CUBS ERRORS: NONE 

EXST CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. Adan Sanchez: 0-1 CS 
2. Jairo Diaz: 1-2 CS 

EXST CUBS OUTFIELD ASSISTS
1. RF Christian Olivo - runner thrown out 9-5 attempting to advance from 1st to 3rd after single to RF 
2. LF Frank Hernandez - runner thrown out 7-2 attempting to score from 2nd base on single to LF 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 80's 

ATTENDANCE: 25 

Arizona 
Scoring 
Service 

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

Comments

Thanks Phil!

Out of the non-rehab guys (so excluding Triantos, Howard, etc.; although, I am curious as to their next step), who, if anyone, do you see getting called up out of the guys fine-tuning (like Coran, Mena and Santana, for example), and the guys on the cusp of graduating ACL (like Suriel, Altuve, etc.)?

[ ]

In reply to by Finwe Noldaran

FINWE: Not including rehabbers, the EXST pitcher who looks like he is most-ready for Myrtle Beach is LHP Carlos Garcia. He is stretched out for multiple inning and has been mostly dominating on the mound. 

LHSP Joel Machado is (finally) healthy and has pitched well in EXST games. He is the classic "soft-tossing lefty," with an 86-88 FB, a plus CV, and a decent CH, a mix which should work well against younger hitters in single-A.  

Now that Jackson Ferris has been moved-up to Myrtle Beach, RHSP Luis Rujano (Cubs 2022 13th round pick) is getting stretched out as a SP, and he could possibly get moved-up to the Pelicans at some point this season. 

As far as position players are concerned, I would think Felix Stevens will be moved up to South Bend soon and replace Haydn McGeary there (McGeary has already been moved up to AA), which would open up 1B for Anderson Suriel at MB.

I have mentioned this before, but Suriel has turned himself into a really good "Fancy Dan" defensive first-baseman, and has saved numerous throwing errors at 1st base this season. And of course he has improved as a hitter (especially SLG -- he is leading the EXST Cubs in HR) by changing his launch angle to get more lift, combined with hitting the ball harder and not striking out much. (Yesterday he went 0-2, but the two outs were a fly ball to the warning track in RF and a line drive that required the D'backs first-baseman to making a leaping catch). He also has above-average speed and is tied for the team lead in SB. And he can play LF in addition to 1B. 

The only negatives are that he doesn't take walks, and while he can play LF (which is his "natural" position), he is limited to LF because he has a below-average arm. 

Also, Brayan Altuve has cut his K-rate and has been hitting the ball well (albeit not for HR power). He always had a line-drive swing with high exit velo, but he didn't make consistent contact. He has above average speed (he is tied for the team lead in SB), and can play all three OF positions. He is a hyper-aggressive outfielder and baserunner (sometimes too aggressive), and plays like his hair is on fire. It's hard to believe he was signed as a catcher! (same ISP  the Cubs signed the recently-released Ronnier Quintero, BTW). 

The third position player I will mention is INF Christopher Paciolla, who is leading the team in doubles (my favorite stat at this level). He has a line drive stroke but he also can elevate the ball (he pulled a couple of near-HR in games that curved foul at the last second). He is a smooth / silky defender who almost glides to the ball. As with most all of the non-1B infielders at EXST, the Cubs have been moving Paciolla around between 2B-3B-SS, but I would say his best position is 3B. So if the Cubs do move him up to Myrtle Beach at some point this season, he would probably play mostly 3B there (and maybe occasionally some SS and 2B to promote his defensive versatility).

And then of course there is OF Ke'Shun Collier, who is a walking machine with plus-plus speed on the bases (he is probably the third fastest player in the system, behind only Erbin Jaque and Zach Davis). He has a good arm but needs to improve his outfield defense, and his hitting needs work. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I was really hoping that Felix Stevens would a chance at SB, but B. Ball has been moved down to SB with McGeary taking the 1B spot in TN. 
Felix is demolishing pitchers in MB but he's clearly better than most of them.
It would've been nice to challenge him and give A. Suriel a chance.
Bryce Ball doesn't seem to have much of a chance anymore. 
But he's a LH bat with some pop. Hard to move on from that.

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

I agree, Stevens to South Bend and Suriel to Myrtle Beach makes the most sense developmentally for both (and the organization); but I wonder if they're going to give Ball a week in South Bend to give them a reason to not release him, and then work on promotions afterwards?

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Thanks Phil! Nice to see the kids really using the time and putting in the work! Prayerfully they continue to develop and see results from their hard work! Glad to hear Suriel is a potentially plus defensive 1B, who's developing the hit tool, and now needs to work on taking some pitches! The INF depth in the system is staggering, the OF too; even catching! 

i like seeing ed howard doing bat things.  i know it's "just" arizona, but i'll take anything bat-related from him that's positive right now.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

CRUNCH: Ed Howard is a savvy baseball player. 

Yesterday (Monday) he worked a walk in the top of the 1st inning and then faked breaking to 2nd base a couple of times, causing the pitcher to balk. And then he did it again after he got to 2nd base, and got the pitcher to balk again! (And this was a D'backs pitcher (Reynoso) who threw three shutout innings). 

Also, Howard's defense at SS has been stellar, and he clearly has been working on his hitting during his rehab because he is making better contact and hitting the ball harder.

Yesterday Howard played 2B for the first time this year (he  had been playing mostly SS while rehabbing (and he is a good defensive SS), and with future Gold Glover Kevin Made at SS at South Bend, 2B is probably where Howard will play (primarily) once he gets back to South Bend.   

It's good to know that Howard did not waste any time while rehabbing. He definitely added some upper body muscle, and hopefully it will translate to more SLG. 

 I wasn't a big Howard fan prior to his injury, but seeing what I am seeing now, I am much more optimistic. 

Recent comments

  • 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...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.