Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus six players are on the 60-DAY IL

Last updated 10-2-2023
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 22
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Brad Boxberger
Ben Brown
Jose Cuas
Tyler Duffey 
Jeremiah Estrada
Shane Greene
Kyle Hendricks
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Daniel Palencia
Michael Rucker
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Marcus Stroman
Jameson Taillon
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 8
# Jeimer Candelario
Nico Hoerner
* Miles Mastrobuoni
* Matt Mervis
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom
* Jared Young

OUTFIELDERS: 8
Kevin Alcantara
* Cody Bellinger
Alexander Canario
* Pete Crow-Armstrong
Brennen Davis
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman

60-DAY IL: 6
Nick Burdi, P
Michael Fulmer, P 
Codi Heuer, P
* Brandon Hughes, P
Nick Madrigal, INF
Ethan Roberts, P
 

 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Diamondbacks Red Bats Too Much for Cubs at Talking Stick

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 05:28 pm

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" 

Tags
Cubs Extended Spring Training

Comments

Submitted by Finwe Noldaran on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 05:19 pm

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.)?

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 05/09/2023 - 05:58 am

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. 

[ ]

Submitted by Childersb3 on Tue, 05/09/2023 - 05:20 am

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.

[ ]

Submitted by Finwe Noldaran on Tue, 05/09/2023 - 05:01 pm

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?

[ ]

Submitted by Finwe Noldaran on Tue, 05/09/2023 - 05:05 pm

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! 

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 05:20 pm

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.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 05/09/2023 - 05:46 am

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

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:59 pm (view)

    bellinger is my #1 want, but i fear he's the #1 want of many teams and will get crazy money + years, with the years being the big sting.  they need to replace bellinger's production if they don't get him no matter what position(s) played.

  • George Altman 10/03/2023 - 10:40 pm (view)

    I hope their top priorities are Bellinger, 2 RPs better than Fulmer/Boxberger (ideally 1 LH), and a 3B (Chapman my 1st Choice). That will put them right up to $237-257M AAV limit, but I don't see a playoff berth doing anything less.

    If they really want Alonso, Morel would be a good opening piece of that offer. 

    Unfortunately, Stroman will opt in ($23.7M) and Smyly ($11.5M) will be back. Steele, Taillon, Assad, Wicks will be rotation pieces. Would love a SP2 FA but don't see how they keep an effective offense and improve their bullpen while adding that.

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:03 pm (view)

    i cannot imagine getting a legit 3rd, whether signing or via trade, isn't the highest priority for the team.  it's almost obvious they don't see morel there.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester 10/03/2023 - 10:19 pm (view)

    I’m just hoping they have an actual 3B next year so we don’t need to worry about the M boys, Bote, and P Whiffy eating all the 3B at bats next year.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester 10/03/2023 - 10:13 pm (view)

    Willson was a OF/3B when we signed him too.

    On a less successful but still got to the show note, PJ Higgins was another college IF converted to C

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:03 pm (view)

    truth...and personally, i'd give him ABs (especially at 3rd) over the 2 singles-hitting-ceiling guys that got the shot.  i'm sure he can cover the ob% and defense while surpassing the power of anything masterboney and madrigal brought to the team.

    i don't view bote as a solution at 3rd, but i find it hard to believe he couldn't outperform either of the main options they had there for a huge chunk of this season.

  • KingKongvsGodzilla 10/03/2023 - 10:47 pm (view)

    Color me impressed by this assignment for Trice right out of the draft as a convert. Seems worth following after the success of Caratini

  • Dolorous Jon Lester 10/03/2023 - 10:33 pm (view)

    Bote always has great spring trainings.

  • Childersb3 10/03/2023 - 10:37 pm (view)

    We'll see what they do with 3B
    Is it Candelario?
    Does getting Alonso or signing Belli effect their 3B choice?
    It's just a shame they didn't give it to Morel in May and let him get settled there.
    He made some nice plays at 3B in his limited time.
    I saw him in person make a great play toward the bag in Yankee Stadium. Looked smooth. Made a nice quick and accurate throw.
    I'm seeing analysts predict Chapman to Cubs.
    Defense over Offense is what they're saying.

    Bote, Morel, or Slaughter would've been interesting to watch 3B this year.
    But Jed was committed to showing "someone" Madrigal had value.
    Of course, he did fine. But that's your point. He was just fine. We had a lot of guys who were just fine.

    The Mastro love was just odd to me.
    He was the OD RF. That was crazy to me.
    We had Velazquez and Morel. Suzuki was a RH bat. But Mastro beat out all others b/c he had the LH bat. Just aggrevating.

  • crunch 10/03/2023 - 10:46 am (view)

    i can't believe they gave 450-ish PA to 2 guys who combined for 21 doubles and 3 homers while david bote sat around in the minors with more pop in his bat even though he can play 3rd just as well as either of the other 2 guys who combined for .310 ob% and .330-ish slugging.

    masterboney in particular was only "hot" for 2 weeks (mid-july/late-sept) out of the season and pure trash in between those games.

    bote got paid 4m last year to ride the bus in iowa.  he gets 5.5m to do it next year.  a .323/.447/.548 spring training line couldn't save his slot in the majors last year...no idea what he'd have to do this spring to get him back on the 40-man.

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