Cubs MLB Roster

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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

The End of the Impotence: Theriot's Homerless Streak is Broken

Ryan Theriot's grand slam on Friday put the Cubs ahead to stay, as did his first-inning home run on Saturday.

Friday's blast ended a string of 620 at-bats and 157 games in which Theriot had failed to homer. In terms of GP, Theriot's homerless string was the 15th longest among Cub non-pitchers since 1954.

The list of 15 follows:

  1. Don Kessinger (5/15/66 through 9/3/68) 404 G
  2. Larry Bowa (5/13/83 through 8/11/85), 310 G
  3. Mick Kelleher (4/17/76 through 10/5/80), 304 G
  4. Don Kessinger (8/16/72 through 7/11/74), 279 G
  5. Rey Sanchez (8/30/92 through 7/2/95), 256 G
  6. Richie Ashburn (4/12/60 through 10/1/61), 255 G
  7. Ivan DeJesus (5/28/80 through 10/4/81), 223 G
  8. Don Kessinger (7/13/74 through 9/28/75), 220 G
  9. Don Kessinger (4/24/70 through 6/11/71), 202 G
  10. Doug Dascenzo (5/5/91 through 10/4/92), 197 G
  11. Don Kessinger (7/4/71 through 8/13/72), 185 G
  12. Scot Thompson (7/4/80 through 7/19/83), 179 G
  13. Larry Bowa (4/5/82 through 5/7/83), 165 G
  14. Jimmy Stewart (4/18/65 through 5/14/67), 158 G
  15. Ryan Theriot (4/16/08 through 4/30/09), 157 G

That's a whole lotta shortstops and a whole lot named Kessinger. For what it's worth, Theriot had a far higher batting average (.311), on-base percentage (.387), and slugging percentage (.360) during his homerless streak than anyone else in this group.

And now, in 2009, he has as many home runs as Derrek Lee and Milton Bradley.

Stats from Baseball-Reference.com Play Index

 

Comments

Wow I never realized Scot Thompson had a complete lack of power. I remember him as a pinch hitter on some of the first Cubs teams I remember seeing around 82 or 83. And this was a guy who played first base quite a bit. A player like this today would pretty much be laughed out of the league. Even Doug Mienkiewicz hit doubles in his best years. Thompsons career OPS was 640 thats sub-Neifi/Miles. Thompson had 66 career extra base hits in 1391 at bats, to go along with only 17 stolen bases and 97 career walks. But he also only struck out 141 times.

Soriano, Riot, Fukudome, Lee, Bradley, Godenot, Soto, Miles, Z vs. Bonifacio, Baker, Ramirez, Cantu, Uggla, Hermida, Ross, Gload Nolasco

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Ross, Gload or Ross Gload? Punctuation joke. Funny stuff.

pulled hammy or something running out a bunt single... Derrek Lee sucks.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

See? I said that they shouldn't let Zambrano try to hit, he should just strike out every time up.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Z can't be hurt, I have been told many times the last couple days that the chances of him getting hurt hitting and running are so small that it is stupid for me to even bring it up...:) Firstly, let's hope it is not serious and that this stops Lou from using him as a PH anytime in the near future.

Foxsports's blurb on Bradley: News: Bradley homered in Chicago's 8-2 loss to Florida in 10 innings thursday night. Two bits of really important news there. The first is that crunch's spelling of 'thursday' is now the agreed one, but more bizarely, somehow Bradley homered 10 times, but the Cubs only scored 2 runs. Maybe the umps are out to get him.

I believe Esmalian Caridad was scheduled to start today for Iowa...looks like it might have been a rainout though.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

He pitched 3 scoreless innings in the suspended game. Chris Carpenter had a good day for Peoria, and Starlin Castro and Robinson Chirinos hit their first homeruns of Daytona's season. Anybody else think Caridad sees the majors this year?

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

'Grit and Gravy' could have been another name for Theriot and Fontenaught. We're going to have to come up with some nickname for Chris Carpenter, being that his name is already taken... keeps confusing me. If there is a pitcher called up, I'd suspect he gets the chain re-action promotion to La Florida.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

"...or they may have to use the DL just because of the bench crunch." Alternatively, they could release or DFA Gathright in order to call someone up. They didn't even use him to pinch run today when Z got hurt, choosing to turn to Harden instead. Of course, I suppose one could blame that ON the bench crunch, rather than considering it another situation that exacerbates the bench crunch. To be fair, though, Harden is fast. Funny fast.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Yeah, Harden runs like someone using a hack in an FPS game. I'd be really interested in him and Gathright doing a foot race to first. I would guess that you're right about saving the 'bat' of Gathright for later in the game.

Submitted by Charlie on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 4:15pm.
He pitched 3 scoreless innings in the suspended game.

Anybody else think Caridad sees the majors this year?

==========================================

CHARLIE: I believe Esmailin Caridad will get promoted to the big leagues sometime this year. If the Cubs were to bring him up to replace Zambrano for a start or two and then option him back to Iowa, it wouldn't be any big deal, because Caridad gets four minor league option years since he has completed only one "full season" (2008) going into 2009. And he is 25, so he is probably as physically and emotionally mature now as he's ever going to be. He was developed by the Hiroshima Carp at their Dominican academy, so he knows all about the rigors of hard work. Also, Piniella apparently liked what he saw of Caridad in ST, keeping him around a little bit longer than was expected.

But Randy Wells would probably be the best bet to succeed at the big league level as a starter right now. A rubber-armed convetrted catcher and a Jon Lieber clone, Wells is 26, he's already on the 40-man roster, he throws strikes, he gets a lot of ground balls, and he has pitched well at Iowa so far this season. But he also hasn't pitched for several days because of the rain out at Memphis this weekend, so he might be out of synch to replace "Z" in the Cubs rotation on Friday.

It's also possible that if Zambrano can't make his next start, that Jeff Samardzija will start in his place, and Chad Fox will get brought up from Iowa. C. Fox has pitched very well at AAA and appears to be healthy, but even if he were to break down later this season, the Cubs could always put him on the DL and use his spot on the 40-man roster as a post-season roster exemption (like they did last year), presuming the Cubs make it to the NLDS.

I really like it. Would suggest that you put slightly recessed boxes around all the letters, and pull the 'E' forward so it doesn't look like an 'F', or do the new letter with the final 'R', since that's how a scoreboard operator would probably do it.

hybrid from the Muskat article linked above and the Sun-Times (Toni Ginnetti): --- "I tried to initially [take Zambrano out], but he told me that it was more of a cramp than anything else," Piniella said. "After a pitch, he realized it was more than that. I tried to get him out initially, and he talked me out of it. At first he tried to convince trainer Mark O'Neal and Piniella it was only a cramp. After one pitch to the next batter, Alfonso Soriano, ''he realized it was more,'' Piniella said. ''We did the right thing by getting him out.'' Zambrano then slowly walked back to the dugout. The problem is in the "belly" of the (left) hamstring, Piniella said. Zambrano's next scheduled start is Friday in Milwaukee. ''I'd say it's in jeopardy,'' Piniella said. ''And if I had to guess, I'd say no. We'll see. I'd guess we'd have to do something to bring up a starter, but let him get his [MRI].'' --- MRI results to be released today (MRI was done sunday after the game). http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1556625,CST-SPT-cub04.arti…

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.