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

Cubs Head North

The Cubs moved their Spring Training operation a half-mile north up Center Street from Fitch Park to HoHoKam Park today, and as was the case each of the previous two years, Manager Lou Piniella once again eschewed the ubiquitous and traditional intrasquad game most MLB clubs play the day before Cactus League and Grapefruit League games commence. Lou just does not like to play any more games than necessary during Spring Training, even if it's an informal seven-inning intrasquad game.

With Stadium Operations crews busy accepting food deliveries and scrubbing the rest rooms in preparation for the Cubs Cactus League home opener versus the Dodgers at Dwight Patterson Field tomorrow, Manager Piniella, his coaches, and about a half-dozen Spring Training instructors (including Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg, and Bob Dernier) ran the position players through a 2-1/2 hour general work-out (baserunning practice, fielding practice, and soft-toss BP) before about 300 enthusiastic Cubs fans under clear & sunny skies and 75 degree temperatures on the two fields at HoHoKam.

The position players were divided into two groups, essentially an "A" team and a "B" team. The "A" team held their work-out on Dwight Patterson Field (the "main" field), while the "B" team worked-out on the seldom-used back field behind the "Green Monster" (the CF hitting background). .

It's always fun to watch big leaguers take cuts against the slow BP slop of coaches throwing from in front of the mound, and today was no exception. It was Home Run Derby time, with Derrek Lee, Geovany Soto, Milton Bradley, Aramis Ramirez, and Alfonso Soriano taking turns slamming moonshots off the scoreboard and totally out of the park. Even Ryan Theriot hit a couple of dingers.

It also appears that Cubs fans may be underestimating the possibility that Luis Rivas will win the 25th slot on the roster. Lou seems to be pleased with what he has seen of Rivas, as the veteran utility infielder was assigned to the "A" team today, taking FP at 3B and SS, and BP in the same group with Soriano, Bradley, Ramirez, and Koyie Hill. (Micah Hoffpauir was assigned to the "B" squad on the back field). Lou specifically walked up to Rivas after his BP session, put his arm around him, and appeared to be praising his work.

I know there has been some talk in the early days of Spring Training about the Cubs going with only one back-up infielder (Aaron Miles) or maybe with an 11-man pitching staff and a six-man bench, but I strongly suspect that when push-comes-to-shove, Pitching Coach Larry Rothschild will talk Lou out of going with only 11 pitchers, and Lou will talk himself out of going with only one back-up infielder. This means that as of right now, Luis Rivas could very well be the front-runner for the last spot on the bench, even though Uncle Lou may not even realize it yet.

Of course, it's also quite possible that Jim Hendry will find a better second back-up infielder who can play SS and 3B at the end of Spring Training (preferrably a switch-hitter with the speed to be used as a late-inning pinch-runner, making Joey Gathright rather than Micah Hoffpauir the "odd man out"), just like he did last year when the right-handed hitting 4th outfielder Jimbo had been looking for the entire off season (one Reed Johnson) fell into his lap at the end of Spring Training 2008

It also appears that Paul Bako and Koyie Hill will be engaged in a fight to the death for the back-up catcher gig. Or at least there should be a spirited competition for the job, until the Cubs are faced with Bako's contract becoming guaranteed if he doesn't get released (probably around March 20th). Both Bako and Hill are in good physical shape, and either of the two could win the job.

Because of the World Baseball Classic, this will be the longest Cactus League season I can remember, with an extra week of games having been tacked onto the front of the schedule and a whopping 19 home games at HoHoKam. I imagine Lou and the boys will be really tired of the grind by the end of Spring Training.

Comments

awesome as always Phil...and at least I thought Rivas might have a shot, but more if they went with a 6-man bench. Now I'm guessing Hoffpauir is once again on the hot seat. also, behind the scenes notes, you don't have to choose a category in the Wordpress category, just fill-in someting under the "site" text field. That's only there while I was importing our archives and I still have a few more to finish.

Thanks for the always-awesome update! 75 degrees ... totally jealous.

Gracias, Phil. Looking forward to hearing your info on our prospects (and non-prospects, too!), as well as the ST attendance figures. Hope you got a new speed gun for this year.

Thanks, Phil. Besides that knowledge that people are playing baseball in the U.S., you are the best part of Spring Training. As far as Luis Rivas goes, I'm telling you, it's all about those two homers he hit against Ted Lilly.

great photo from yesterday's team photo session

Image removed.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

They really need to start getting some acts at Wrigley that people under 50 might want to go to. Jimmy Buffett was a great choice, and frankly should be there every year. But the fucking Police, Billy Joel/Elton John, and now Rascal Flatts? This is getting ridiculous. I live in the neighborhood, and am seriously bummed about these concerts. I could not possibly be less excited about any of these.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Oh God, we're going to get into a really skinny thread. I'm not a music critic like some folks on this board, I just don't like The Police. I think Sting is a pretentious fuck, and their music hasn't been relevant in decades. I think the acts that play Wrigley should reflect the atmosphere of Wrigley (Buffett was a good choice). When The Police played, it was like a convention for middle-aged suburbanites. I can only expect it to be worse for Elton John/Billy Joel. I don't know for sure, but I doubt I'm going to like the demographic that shows up for Rascal Flatts. Now who wants to get this thread moving with a suggestion that Iggy Pop should play Wrigley?

[ ]

In reply to by Doug Dascenzo

I think the acts that play Wrigley should reflect the atmosphere of Wrigley (Buffett was a good choice).

drunks that don't care what's happening on the field?

oh dear, that was cliche

Sting is pretentious, but Police music has stood the test of time well. Obviously, this is all just my opinion.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

The Police would've been a better choice in the 90s, but they are still okay, even if they are all pretty old now. Buffett fit the bill. Billy Joel sort of fit the bill, even if I don't like his music, and I guess Elton too, since they are crowd pleasers. But Rascal Flatts? Really? That's just confusing.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Are you kidding? When I was a senior in high school, we got two buses to take about 100 of us to a Buffett show. We continued this throughout college. And many, many others did the same thing. This resulted in a large number of very attractive 18-22 y/o women in bikini tops and grass skirts getting plastered on Coronas and margaritas. If you can't get behind that, then your priorities are severely off. Buffett concerts = hot, drunk chicks showing boobs. Police concerts = menopausal women sipping chardonnay out of plastic wine glasses.

We're probably set on the keeper league pending final vote. Thanks for all the interest. Those who are signed up - stop by and make some recommendations. Possible Parachat about it if there's ample reason.

Kelly Pickler was their next choice if Rascal Flatts decllined --instead she'll be in the front row eating popcorn and crackerjacks

I don't feel like looking up other teams spring training ticket prices, but 26-16 dollars per ticket to see mostly backups playing in spring training. Is this the Cubs factor (because people will pay that much) or are all ST tickets pricey? I figured they'd be like minor league tickets and range from 20-10 dollars or so. Just thought it was interesting.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.