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

Tough Week for the Cubs and Their Fans

Click on the image for the full-size graphic.

Tim Souers is the illustrator and author of Cubby Blue and appreciates the opportunity to guest blog here at The Cub Reporter.
http://www.cubby-blue.com

Comments

i'm tired of people feeling sorry for Cubs fans? what are we a bunch of wussies? NO we have fun watching win or lose. in fact we revel in the fact that we can make fun of an often crappy team.

It's raining like hell in the western suburbs, hurricane like winds at times too (ok, not hurricane like but extremely strong), bottom line, in an hour or so when this moves into the city I would expect a rain delay.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

“I talk to the players about all this, but as manager I don’t have to talk to anybody about anything,” Baker said. “It’s just I’ve always done as a manager. As a player you always like to know why things were done." ha...welcome to "no shit" CIN beat writers. is it your first year on the job? doesn't everyone in baseball know this for oh...15+ years now? can someone get this guy a TV or a newspaper? wait... ...and no amount of crying about it in print will change it. baaaaaaaaaaw!!!!! *cry cry cry*

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

yeah, didn't mean to imply that was breaking any new ground...but interesting to see the actual numbers and comparision to the rest of the league...

Stat I would like to see: Attendance figures at parks when Cubs are visitors vs other teams, like how does attendance at Houston go up when the Cubs play there. My theory is, teams are gunning for the Cubs more than ever because: 1) Cub fans are a high percentage of attendance and 2) More of their own fans show up to watch against the Cubs. Does Colorado average 40K when even the Dodgers are in town? What about San Diego? Is there more preparation, player and team aggression when they look ahead and see Cubs on the schedule and they know they will play before a bigger crowd? What I'm proposing is that fear-factor of losing to the Cubs is higher than most...when the Cubs beat the Nats 4 for 4 after that they went on a freak terror streak and payed us back by vamping the Phils up. Talk is always about inning management, maybe Lou should evolve a series management plan (I know there is some of that already), like go over a team's last 6 wins and loses, ex-cub factors, etc. Another stat (and I like this) is to use the plus/minus system like in hockey for defensive purposes. Runs scored against you, while you were at shortstop, for example, minus runs scored during an inning when you had an at bat... Is this over-analysis at it's best or worst? A rain delay can do strange things to ya!

Re: "Visiting Fans" - this was recently written about - I believe perhaps even in U.S.A. Today - during the Cubs trip in Colo. In the NL - its the Cubs, then Cards, & Dodgers/Phillies - Braves had more market share during their heyday. This is off gate receipts I believe. In the MLB - its Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs - the the rest of the above.

Fun facts for today: Remaining schedule: Opponents' combined records: Stl (.482 Wpct), Chc (.475 Wpct), the Cubs have a slightly softer schedule from here out. ------- StL record since the ASG: 18-10, Cubs: 17-12 ------- Ted Lilly's (9-7 3.59 ERA) last game was July 20th, returning from injury tonight. ------- Zambrano's (7-4 3.35 ERA) last game was Aug 1, scheduled to return Aug 25 after rehab start this Thursday.

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

Sure Chad, I guess it should be obvious if they play 800 ball (or whatever number you guys decided that the cards have played in the last week) that they'll win. I guess my point was not really about their record, it was about how they are playing: Mashing the ball, good fundamentals, fighting back even when they are down runs. They improved significantly at the trade deadline and I would even venture to say they are a better team than the Cubs at this point.

the rain out struck me as odd...sitting at the park while it wasn't raining for nearly 2 hours. It did rain hard right before the cubs were about to take the field, they did get the national anthem in. Then the grounds crew rolled out the tarp but didn't unfold it to cover the infield, then they rolled it back up...until it poured and the umps said to put the tarp back on. Before 2pm it wasn't raining until almost after 4pm...but the radar looked like hell (all the tv screens, viewable in the grandstands and upper deck were showing live weather radar of the area) and the PA announced around 2pm that they expected heavy storms and would be waiting about an hour. Modern technology and the radar failed someone yesterday. In the 1960's this game would have been played...at least 5-6 innings worth but today they anticipate via radar and don't just play based on whether it's raining or not. Even leaving by 4:45 pm when the game was called, it was a light drizzle and could have continued (it the game had previously started). Of course, it was get-away-day so they probably didn't want to reschedule everyone's flight.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

We left the moments the words left the PA guy's mouth - "We are waiting until AFTER the thunderstorm arrives at Wrigley Field in about an hour" or something like that. It was 2:35 or something. I have seen games (and have sat there - we all have) where the rain was much worse, and still in play. After the initial downpour at 1:15 - there was ample time to get an "official" game in - in my opinion. It was just bullshit. The team is on a "winning streak", with our "hot pitcher" against theirs - and even with .197 Miles playing, I think we could have had a shot at keeping pace with the Cards yesterday. Not to mention, it was a waste of a day, and more money, for the 40,000+ fans who sat there for that. Boooooo!

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH... Kaplan... The long awaited sale of the Chicago Cubs should finally be signed this week between the Tribune Company and the Ricketts family. The process has been ongoing since April of 2007 but now it is finally about to be completed. Excellent sources have assured me that there are no more hurdles to clear and the paperwork will be signed by Friday. It will then move on to an MLB ownership committee then a stop in front of the bankruptcy judge and finally it will need approval of the other owners in Major League Baseball. All of this should be wrapped up by the World Series or shortly thereafter and it should pave the way for Tom Ricketts and his family to finally have the keys to the Cubs Kingdom... There are several agonizing things about this blog entry from Kaplan. Number one I hate it when someone claims to have an excellent source. Even if it is a reliable source, if you only have reliable sources, you shouldn't have to tell us it's an excellent source. Second, how he says there will be no more hurdles, but then goes on to talk about how after signing the dotted line, they have all these other hurdles to go over. Not only that he makes all these other hurdles sound nonchalant, like "...then a stop in front of the bankruptcy judge..." as if bankruptcy court has a drive-thru or something.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

It will then move on to an MLB ownership committee Actually the deal has to be approved by more than one MLB committee and the vetting process is expected to take weeks then a stop in front of the bankruptcy judge Where it may be challenged if Sam Zell loses control of the Trib between now and then and finally it will need approval of the other owners in Major League Baseball. All of this should be wrapped up by the World Series or shortly thereafter Well, it's not going to be wrapped up before the WS is over because the owners don't meet again until November 17th.

..then a stop in front of the bankruptcy judge..." as if bankruptcy court has a drive-thru or something. --- only works for bankruptcy filings like GM or Burger King

Nice post Ryno. I don't mind the affable Kap too much, and he was nice to me in the one instance I met him (that's all it takes for most of us right?), but its the same guy who said Crane Kenny assured him that if a move can be made to improve the team at the deadline, the money would be there. Yeah. Right, Crane.

this yrs 1st round draft pick is on fire...especially considering how many 1st rounders might not sign at all. CHC LoA Jackson, Brett CF 6 3 4 3 .320 HR (5), 2B (4);

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

Under honorable mentions, he should have just listed every sports team in America, then categorized the article as "Asinine Generalizations" instead of "Humor." Why did I read that? For what it's worth, I too despise the "woe is me, being a Cubs fan is all about losing, suffering, and being fated to fail," Cubs fan. I also hate that people perpetuate the perception that all Cubs fans are like that. Every time I read an article about sports printed in newspapers or magazines, or hear a TV report, I think that sports writing probably shouldn't exist. But that's unfair. Just these people shouldn't be doing it, and we should all ignore ESPN.

I would say if anything wrong about most Cub fans they are overly optimistic. --- yep I'm optimistic, been down so long it feels like up to me (...till I met a Cub fan who told me to fuck off and stop feeling sorry for myself)

I liked the Brett Jackson pick, but I can't get too excited about a college player in low A. I don't know where low A compares to a top NCAA schedule , but let's see how he does when he goes up the ladder.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Does anyone remember way back when who Rays wanted for Huff from Cubs? I remember it was like something Cubs would not part with but now looking back....

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Pretty "meh" towards the deal. I actually thought the Tigers paid a pretty high premium for Huff given that they assumed his salary for the rest of the season and also lost a pitcher who was rated their 10th overall system prospect and was a 4th round pick a year ago. Remember, all of this for a month and a half of a guy who, despite having a decent bat, is really inadequate at best at a slew of potential positions. His .725 OPS is a far cry from the .912 he posted last year and his July / August numbers have been nothing short of awful after a respectable first half. If the Tigers wanted this, they should have just held onto Sheffield. I'll take Jake Fox anyday over the current incarnation of Huff (although certainly not over the 2003 or 2008 incarnations).

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Is this sarcasm? Aubrey Huff, who is as likely to be outplayed by Lee, Ramirez, Bradley, Soriano, and Fox as he is to add any value to the team while still earning a pretty considerable salary? I'll hold onto my prospect and my cash, thank you. For the Tigers he at least can slot into LF immediately, though Clete Thomas has put up a .742 OPS, .011 better than Huff's .731. Of course, Huff's middling performance this year is a big part of why he's still available, and I'm sure the Tigers are mostly hoping they get lucky and get 1 1/2 months of red hot Huff.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

hell, i'd put a not-quite-100% guillen in LF before i considered huff, myself. the idea of huff playing 3rd is about as bad as fox, too. btw, for the lack of errors at 3rd fox is still playing a pretty bad/iffy 3rd. he catches almost everything off the hip, backhanded, or both at the same time. it's like watching an immobile hockey goalie. he doesn't come up in great position to throw, either. aram used to do this a lot when he got to the cubs. now he gets in front of a lot more stuff and it's let him use that cannon arm a lot better as a result (along with less number of clumbsy looking passed balls).

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.