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

Winter Meetings 2009 Day Three

12:31 AM

More from Levine saying that Cubs and White Sox lead the chase for J.J. Putz who will throw again Friday. Putz expects around a $2.5M base salary with incentives that could take it into the $6-7M range. The White Sox apparently have already made an offer.

Levine also says if the Red Sox trade for Bradley, they would immediately flip him possibly to Texas or Tampa. ~shrug~

12:15 AM

NPSport Canada tweets that Hendry does have one firm offer for Bradley and the deal will happen by Friday (rolls eyes), but does not involve the Blue Jays (thanks to navigator for the find).

11:14 PM

 - Phil Rogers believes the Cubs have already made their mind up about moving spring training to Naples for the simple reason that he believes the Ricketts want their base of operation out of Florida.

- Lowell to Rangers for catcher Max Ramirez looks like a done deal.

10:52 PM

Harden's contract details from Ed Price; $6.5M in 2010 with $3.5M in escalating incentives up to 195 IP, $11M mutual option for 2011 with a $1M buyout if either side declines.

10:48 PM

Levine says Hendry had meetings with Mike Cameron's agent Wednesday night and agent Casey Close who reps Ben Sheets, Derrek Lee and Mike Fontenot among others.

10:22 PM

Astros sign Brandon Lyon to complete their bullpen whitening process(3/15M according to Rosenthal).

NL Central tally so far:

Cardinals - Added Brad Penny & Hitting Coach that Knows How to Get things, probably losing DeRosa, Holliday and Smoltz.

Brewers - Added LaTroy Hawkins, Randy Wolf and swapped J.J. Hardy for Carlos Gomez.

Astros - Essentially swapped Valverde and Hawkins for Lindstrom and Lyon.

Pirates - Added Bobby Crosby and Akinori Iwamura.

Reds - Still employing Dusty Baker.

Cubs - Resigned John Grabow and traded Jake Fox, Aaron Heilman and Aaron Miles for 5 minor leaguers.

9:23 PM

Another Rule 5 draft preview (h/t to MLBTR) from Jonathon Mayo, he thinks Steve Clevenger is the most likely Cub to get selected but adds that the Cubs could get "hit a few times".

9:17 PM

From Gorden Edes twitter:

Cubs chutzpah: They really did ask Sox about Bradley for Lowell...under the heading: Can't hurt to ask. Got the response you'd expect.

Damn those unintelligent Red Sox.

8:29 PM

Levine's latest:

The Red Sox have been kicking the tires on free agents. They have had talks with the agent for free agents third baseman Adrian Beltre, formerly of the Mariners. If you look at the trade and free agent market, Bradley may be the most attractive power hitting player available, besides free agents Matt Holliday and Jason Bay.

If a team like the Red Sox were intelligent, which they are, they could bring in Beltre to play third base, trade Lowell to the Cubs for Bradley and then end up with two players for next season for the same price or less that they'd have to pay for the big ticket free-agents Holliday and Bay.

Oh did I say Levine's latest? I meant here's the verbatim story handed to Levine by the Cubs to try and float some ideas out there and generate a false market. If a team like the Red Sox were intelligent? I think they've showed their intelligence a few times over by this point. 

Anyway, Cubs like Melky Cabrera (although I still have doubts the Yankees will move him) and have talked to Cameron's agent and two other center field free agents, possibly Byrd or Podsednik.

8:14 PM

Hendry held court and...nothing. The best we have is a non-denial about Boston and Mike Lowell.

7:21 PM

Hendry says they're considering a few names in tomorrow's Rule 5 draft. Muskat lists Thomas Diamond, Steve Clevenger, Chris Robinson and Matt Camp as possible Cubs that could be drafted (Chirinos was mentioned earlier by Phil Rogers). Hendry says Marshall, Gorzelanny and Samardzija will compete for the 5th starter spot with all being able to move to the bullpen if needed.

7:17 PM

Via MLBTR, Ben Sheets wants something close to the $12M he was paid in 2008 (Searches for delusions of grandeur tag).

6:30 PM

From Gordon Edes on twitter:

Milton Bradley has a better shot of succeeding Ted Kennedy than he does of wearing a Red Sox uniform....unless I've completely lost my mind.

4:43 PM

Ex-Cub Bob Howry could be a target of the Diamondbacks.

4:38 PM

Via MLBTR, J.J. Putz and Matt Thornton seem to be best of buddies and word is that will lead him to the White Sox.

Also, there's a report that it's the Mariners, not Rangers that Harden is signing with...I'm sure it'll be cleared up soon enough. (and it is, it's the Rangers)

4:30 PM

Rich Harden to the Texas Rangers on a one year, $7.5M deal with an $11.5M club option for 2011. I imagine incentives and possibly vesting clauses are in there as well. Also remember that Texas has no state tax, so the deal is a little better than what Brad Penny received. I'll comment later once I know all the details, but I think it's a good enough deal that Harden would have passed up arbitration.

3:59 PM

MLB Trade Rumors saw something from Buster Olney that Rich Harden could be on the verge of agreement, but the link that they provide is wrong or doesn't verify it.

3:55 PM

Bruce Levine adds the Red Sox as a team of interest for Bradley, although Mike Lowell seems to be their only bad contract they'd like to move and that was shot down earlier.

3:31 PM

- Astros seemed to have moved from R. Soriano to Matt Lindstrom according to Rosenthal...exchanging medical records.

- Braves seeking prospects and salary relief rather than veteran bat for Derek Lowe according to Jayson Stark. Good luck with that. I think a team would only be interested in Lowe if they could move one of their own bloated contracts.

3:21 PM

Seems the Rays are the most interested in Rafael Soriano with the Astros lurking. Braves are said to actually want some decent prospects plus take his full arbitration obligation.

3:00 PM

- Flat out releasing Milton Bradley isn't on the table at the moment according to Crane Kenney.

"We don't run away from our problems,'' Kenney said. "That fact it's painful doesn't change anything.''

We do like to make our problems more complicated by suspending the player and doing everything we possibly can to lower his trade value.

- Kenny Williams seems to like Milton, but doesn't see a fit on the White Sox.

- Reader "Seamhead" listened to Bruce Levine on the radio and summarizes that the mystery team interested in Bradley is real, the Cubs are willing to eat $4-$5M of Bradley's contract, Cubs would have interest in Melky Cabrera and J.J. Putz is throwing off flat ground at the moment.

- Jay Mariotti won't be dirtying up the Tribune.

1:27 PM

Half way through Wednesday on that impending Bradley deal...

- Kevin Millwood to the O's for Chris Ray seems to be close to happening.

- Lowell for Bradley laughed off.

- LaTroy Hawkins signing with the Brewers, two year deal.

12:54 PM

As has been hinted, Harden seems willing to take a 1-yr deal with tons of incentives.

12:20 PM

J.J. Putz will throw for the Cubs and other teams in Scottsdale, Arizona today. (thanks to navigator in the comments for the link)

11:24 AM

Tim Brown tweets that Cubs are among the early suitors for Joel Pineiro and that Randy Wolf will sign with the Brewers at 3 years and just under $30M total (3/29.75M according to Rosenthal).

11:00 AM

Twins trying to fit Mark DeRosa into their budget and the same article says the Mariners seem to be the most interested in Rich Harden at this point (thanks to MLB Trade Rumors). My own speculation is I wonder why the Brewers aren't more interested in Harden if he's really going to get just a 1-yr deal. If they do end up signing Randy Wolf (latest is a 3/27M offer), add in Harden and they could have a nice trio of Gallardo, Wolf and Harden next season.

10:50 AM

- Phillyburbs.com lectures everyone on the spreading of rumors...from the guys that reported Pat Burrell was traded twice on Monday. Oh sweet irony.... (hat tip to Wrigleyville 23).

- Muskat says ignore all that mystery team crap as well....Rays still the frontrunner.

- Phil Rogers tweets that the buzz is that Robinson Chirinos will be selected in the Rule 5 draft this year. I can't imagine how bored the writers are if that's the current topic of discussion.


The quiet before the storm...

Sullivan tweeted that Hendry was meeting with Jerry Reinsdorf but said it has nothing to do with Bradley.

- The Tampa papers say Rays are still in play - as did Sullivan earlier - but Rays are remaining firm on how much they want the Cubs to pay of Bradley's contract.

- Around the rest of the league, Andy Petitte is about to resign with the Yankees and Rafael Soriano has requested a trade after accepting arbitration, with the O's, Angels and Astros the most interested at this point.

Comments

If Bradley is indeed replaced by Cameron in the Cubs clubhouse, that would have to viewed as an enormous upgrade before you even begin to look at the on-field contributions.

[ ]

In reply to by Seamhead

Of course, if Bradley had contributed on the field I doubt anyone would be talking about his problems off the field. After 08 all we heard was that the clubhouse was "too nice" and the Cubs needed an edge. Now we are hearing that they need a clubhouse leader. What they really need is somebody to drive in runs. I don't care what type of person they are as long as they can HIT!

If the Cubs can not get something worthwhile for Bradley, they would be insane to let him go for little or nothing. Bradley is probably the most likely player on the team to rebound to near previous levels. His production on the field would suddenly change him from a "clubhouse cancer" to a "great guy".

[ ]

In reply to by DavidP

His production on the field would suddenly change him from a "clubhouse cancer" to a "great guy". What are you basing this on? His reputation isn't new. He's had it from the start (going back to high school) and it's stuck despite several remarkable performances. He's just an asshole and his teammates aren't going to magically start liking him if he goes back to being an asshole that hits.

[ ]

In reply to by DavidP

Most likely to rebound to what exactly? His year in Texas was a fluke, his career averages, games and AB's he gets a year are pretty much maxing out, which puts him around a 50-60 RBI performer a year. Its not like Milton was this 160 game playing titan averaging 100 RBI seasons and suddenly fell from the sky one year and put up a 40 RBI season and he has a chance to bounce back to playing a full season and returning to 100 RBI years. Sad to say but his bounce back year was with the Cubs, he just returned to reality. Never have more people been so excited for a 31 year old player with one 70 RBI season to his credit. You would think Milton was having Bobby Abreu's career by the way people think how awesome Bradley is.

Not everybody thinks the matter of exposing Chirinos to the draft--while protecting Adduci, who would not have been drafted--is boring.

Not that the Cubs have the money, but I would not mind seeing Piniero as the additional starter. Induces lots of ground balls and does not walk anyone.

Buster Olney says a swap for Lowell is not likely because the Cubs would be in the same predicament as in the Burrell scenario. A high priced bench player. The upside is that Lowell may have more trade value than Burrell.

[ ]

In reply to by thedirtbag

Play Lowell at 2nd base, two problems solved at once. Sure he would have no range there, but neither did DeRosa and didn't seem to hurt the Cubs much. Second base defense is overrated anyhow, just give me a passable glove there and a bat.

There's those on this board who believe Bradley should be kept because of his fantastic OBA/OPS and whatever other statistical reasons. Then there's the rest of us who see him as a $30M mistake by a GM whose arrogance and/or stupidity made him believe he could change the galactically ignorant. Now the 2010-2011 roster is severely compromised in taking some other slug in return. In any case, Bradley was brought here to drive in runs and batting 2nd thru 5th most of 2009, Milton lit the lamp for a whopping 40 RBI's. And of course he behaved like the world class putz that is Milton Bradley. So yes his table is now ready and it's time for Milton to go. I, for one, could do without the hand wringing.

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

I think you're misrepresenting the Bradley camp. It's never explained how Bradley made Soriano, Fountainout, and Soto into poor hitters with his clubhouse behavior. Nor has it been explained how he injured Ramirez, Johnson, Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster and Hardin or how he convinced Harden and Gregg to give up so many HR's and Marmol to walk and hit so many batters.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Also, if you do the trade AZ Phil speculated on in a previous thread (for example only) and trade Bradley for Robertson then trade Robertson and cash for some middling prospects, you save about $4 million on Bradley. Then you sign Cameron for one year at $8 million. Now you have Cameron in CF for one year, two middling prospects, and $21-4+8= $25 million. Would you rather pay $25 million for one year of Cameron and two middling prospects, or hold onto Bradley and hope for a slight resurgence so that you can either trade him or keep him next year depending upon the team's situation? Or, if the Cubs are out of the picture around the trade deadline they could try to deal Bradley to a contending team looking for a mercenary? I just don't think the idea of dumping your mistakes is a good one in this case because it doesn't, as far as I can tell, put the Cubs in an improved position. I consider this all contingent upon Lou actually managing the clubhouse, however. If Bradley actually creates a hostile work environment, don't they have a legal case to terminate his contract and recoup some of his salary?

O's close to a deal for Millwood. MacPhail doing his best Billy Beane impression. Millwood will be wearing a new uniform by July.

[ ]

In reply to by thedirtbag

Levine was interviewed on WMVP over noon hour. Says that the "mystery team" is for real, and that the Rangers have moved back into serious contention. He thinks that the Cubs will eat around $4-$5 million in any Bradley swap. He also says that the Granderson deal has hit a potential snag over some medical issues, and has not been completed. If that deal soes go through, the Cubs do indeed like Melky Cabrera and would be intersted in dealing for him. JJ Putz is only throwing off flat ground at this stage of his rehab, and has yet to throw off a mound and may not until after January 1.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Isn't that exactly Grabow money? Wonder if LaTroy is going to be the clsoer - I could see them picking up Soriano, but I hope they go with Hawkins. Edit* Forgot they got Grandpa Hoffman.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Per Bruce Miles' blog. Kenny Williams weighs in on Milton: "You know, the funny thing is, I've had the pleasure of talking to Milton in the past, and it saddens me to a great extent, actually, some of the situations that he's been put in or he's put himself in. I'd like to see this guy just be able to go out there without all of the distractions and everything and do what he can do because this guy can play. He can play. I don't know that I see a fit for us, and I probably shouldn't even be talking about him because he's not our player. But he can play. Milton Bradley can play. It's too bad because he's a really a more thoughtful person, and he's a better person than I think it's been portrayed or he's shown, however the hell it's manifested itself. It's too bad."

Kenny Williams take on Bradley as cited in the Bruce Miles report this afternoon: First, Kenny on Milton: "You know, the funny thing is, I've had the pleasure of talking to Milton in the past, and it saddens me to a great extent, actually, some of the situations that he's been put in or he's put himself in. I'd like to see this guy just be able to go out there without all of the distractions and everything and do what he can do because this guy can play. He can play. I don't know that I see a fit for us, and I probably shouldn't even be talking about him because he's not our player. But he can play. Milton Bradley can play. It's too bad because he's a really a more thoughtful person, and he's a better person than I think it's been portrayed or he's shown, however the hell it's manifested itself. It's too bad."

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

A little good will. I have not heard much on people's thoughts about the Cubs moving the Spring to Florida, but I am against it. I like the fact that if you go to AZ for a week in the spring that you can hit up several spring games without traveling far. The AZ spring layout is much more fan friendly.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

AZ Phil is in a much better position to comment on this than I am, but it's my understanding that Mesa has been reluctant to spend any/much money on the Cubs for sometime. A quote from the story illustrates my point:
The Cubs and Mesa have been talking about the batting cages for a couple of years, Smith said - discussions that started before Florida made a serious bid to uproot the team from its spring-training home.
If you have to fight for a couple of years to get the city to spend less than $1 million on the facility, then maybe it is time to look for greener pastures. The Cubs are the star attraction in the Cactus League, but I think they have felt neglected for some time by the authorities in Mesa. In the end, I think the Cubs will leave Mesa, but will stay in Arizona, relocating to the Gila River Indian Community. What do you think, Phil?

I think at this point in the process, it would be good for all Cubs personel to just shut up. Now Crane Kenny is on record talking about dollars and that the Cubs are not going to release Bradley if they cannot trade him? How the hell could they bring him back after the President, the GM (for the most part), and the Manager have basically said that he is as good as gone.

"Cubs are willing to eat $4-$5M of Bradley's contract" If that's true and they let that out, they are definetly not moving Bradley anytime soon. Dumbasses.

Agreed, No better way to display you incompetence to the new owner than to completely bungle YET ANOTHER off-season in a row. The biggest upset now is how ever did this team win 97 games in 2008?

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

It's all so easy for us. Have any of you been handed an asshole who is considered a dream team player? I have. It's not as easy as you all make it sound. Just shut the fuck up, asshole? No, that, trust me, does not work. Be nice to the ladies? Yes, sort of, but then he'll hide behind his desk and fire pencils at her and some screaming woman will come into your office and bitch about it. Look, as Lou would say. Relax, as I would say. Lou needs to be fired. The guy who hired him also needs to be fired, of course, but Ricketts needs Hendry right now because Hendry's scouts are all Ricketts has. Folks, 2010 is gonna be a lost year. If Hendry had balls and fired Lou and hired some young whipper snapper it might buy a nice winning streak, but 2010 is not our year so let's just kinda settle down a little bit and hope Old and Blue doesn't die before 2011. Love or hate Obama, but his administration is using lots of Bushies simply cuz it has to. Change you can believe in may take a couple years so just chill, dudes. If I can wait one more year, you can, too. So please, stop with the fire hendry crap. It's correct, but it's stupid cuz it ain't gonna happen.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

The winter meetings are entertainment, we want to be excited as it happens, but Hendry doesn't give a fuck about impressing anyone before it's all over. That said, I'm bored. I wish they'd televise all their doughnut spewing and drunkin' 'who's wife would you bone?' conversations. Yes, I'm certain that's what they talk about. I think that, generally, the longer this goes one, the more worried we are that other teams are either going to change their minds or find someone else instead of Bradley. There's also a fear that while the Bradley saga continues, Hendry is sitting around doing nothing else and thus all the best shitty replacement outfielders will be taken. To summarize: we're all just hoping for Alex Rios.

Joe Cowley is reporting that the White Sox are close to a deal with J.J. Putz. And why not? He is more familiar with the AL, unless you count last year with the Mets. He seems to be a nice fit for that ball club. Although, he would also be a nice fit for the Cubs since he has a laundry list of injuries.

Looks like I called it early this year: No Bradley deal at the GM Meetings. Yes, I want a pat on the back. This does not bode well - considering Hendry has been trying to make a sale since the season ended.

If the Rangers are in the mix, the Star-Telegram isn't talking about it. Their latest ex-Cub on the radar is lovable Augie Ojeda.

Sure this has been said, and I don't have time to read the comments, but.... ....I'm sure that impending trade is coming any minute now.... aaaaaand NOW! No, wait for it,..... Now! No? Now maybeeee.... now??

If I was the Ricketts family (and it still creeps me out that the Cubs are owned by a family with a name I associate with a disease that is not that ancient) I would just let Hendry hang himself. That's why I said earlier that 2010 is a wash. Which is why, also, you would think that he would hire some young crazy manager and kill the Lou contract, because you never know what will happen. I'd like to believe Lou will have a fire under his behemoth belly, but I just don't see it. Maybe Z really is losing some weight and he'll give Lou a nice roundhouse for the cameras.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

Old and Blue- As someone who is also old and blue, I've been enjoying your recent posts. Only on TCR would we have a potential mutant discussion thread about rickets. I propose that milk be free at Wrigley this season, to prevent Vitamin D deficiency. Also, it could calm the stomachs of those suffering from Carlos Marmol Having Trouble Finding the Plate Disorder.

Just heard Rosenthal on MLB - "The MB deal WILL get done..." still says TB is in the talks and the negotiations with the cash owed is a "painstaking affair". He then said, "Once the Milton Bradley money is off the books, then the Cubs 'off-season' can start."

From the Star-Telegram- "Sources have indicated that Harden and the Rangers are close to a deal that would pay the right-hander $7.5 million in 2010 with an $11.5 million option for 2011. That option is interesting in that it appears to assume that the Rangers will have a new owner who wouldn't mind paying a pitcher $11.5 million." Hey Zell & Trib: Rangers are for sale!

I propose we keep Bradley. Here's why. Every year this team has some relatively minor need that gets blown way out of proportion by the manager, the media, the fans, and/or all of the above. Hendry kowtows to this overreaction, and it hurts us in the long term, if not right away. A couple examples: 2003 - Needed more speed, so we traded away good young pitching for a year of Juan Pierre. Result: Missed the playoffs. 2004 - We just HAD to get rid of Sammy Sosa, so Hendry traded him for a nickel on the dollar. Result: Missed the playoffs, Mike Fontenot. 2006 - We missed out on big free agents in the past, so the fans demand a splash. Hendry signs Soriano to a ridiculous contract that will cripple payroll for years. Result: Soriano starts to decline much faster than anticipated and now he's absolutely untradeable and hasn't provided a single playoff win. 2008 - Lou demanded more left-handedness, so Hendry traded DeRosa and signed Bradley. Result: Missed the playoffs. 2009 - Bradley MUST go, so Hendry will trade him for probably a more crippling contract and/or an awful player. Result: We'll almost certainly miss the playoffs. Out of 25 guys + coaches + trainers + various other club personnel, how bad can one guy make the clubhouse? You know what makes for a bad clubhouse? Almost everyone on the team performing below expectations. That tends to make people a bit grumpy. One guy who seems like a sullen loner isn't going to ruin the clubhouse atmosphere, and even if he does are we sure that has such a huge, quantifiable effect on performance? If all it took was some negativity to ruin a guy's batting average, then wouldn't there be a much more pronounced home field advantage in baseball? On the field, Bradley's at least 100 feet from the nearest player. On the bases, he's at least 90 feet from the nearest player and we all know he gets on base a lot. Why not just keep him and see what happens? What's the worst that could happen?

[ ]

In reply to by Doug Dascenzo

Why not just keep him and see what happens? He'll be 32 next year, he's far from durable, and his power disappeared last year. I think there's a very good chance that what little value he has now will disappear due to injury or continuing decline. In that case, the Cubs can only cut him and eat his whole salary. At least by moving him now they can save a few million dollars and hopefully pick up a player or prospect that is marginally more useful to the organization.

I personnally do not like or follow american league ball except for interleague play,i definatley dislike the white sox. I am beginning to think i like the way Kenny Williams goes about white sox business not much leaks out he holds his cards close to the vest and when a move is made it is not expected. Where as with Jim Hendry seems like every one knows year in year out what he is up to. Jake Peavey when Cubs were after him every one knew it played out in the press,I personnally blamed Kevin Towers for alot of it, but Kenny W illiams makes that move no one heres anything. Iam beginning to think Kenny Williams is much better and more respected in mlb.

NPSPORT (Canada) who come at this from a Blue Jays point of view, of course, TWEETS that there is a genuine deal for MB on the table
Cubs GM Jim Hendry has at least one firm offer for Milton Bradley, deal will happen by Friday, but to reiterate, #BlueJays not involved

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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.