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 

 



 

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Game 130 Thread / Nationals @ Cubs (3 of 3)

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

SP Jason Bergmann
SP Rich Harden
  2-9, 4.50, 83 K, 33 BB, 116 IP
(NL)
3-1, 1.50, 59 K, 14 BB, 42 IP
       
LF
*Willie Harris LF
Alfonso Soriano
SS #Christian Guzman
SS Ryan Theriot
3B
Ryan Zimmerman
3B
Aramis Ramirez
CF
Lastings Milledge
1B
*Daryle Ward
1B Ronnie Belliard
RF
Mark DeRosa
C Jesus Flores
CF
*Jim Edmonds
RF Austin Kearns
C Geovany Soto
2B #Anderson Hernandez
2B
*Mike Fontenot
P Jason Bergmann
P *Rich Harden
The Cubs go for yet another series win with Rich Harden making his eight start as a Cub. The win would give them their seventh straight series win and secure a tie  in the season series against the Nationals. Good thing it's Sunday where the Cubs are 15-5 this season, their best record for any day of the week.

Comments

It takes a lot of imagination to say Samardjiza only has one pitch. Sure, technically you could say he only throws fastballs, but that's simplifying his arsenal. He'll need a changeup, slider, or curve if he becomes a starter, though.

Cubs Win! John Cusak seems like a nice enough guy and a genuine fan, but is anybody else tired off all the celebrity Cub fans - Bill Murray, Bonnie Hunt, the comedian (forgot his name)basking in the reflected glory?

[ ]

In reply to by CA-Phil

yeah, it's Tired. I'm also tired of Daryle Lard ever batting cleanup. Actually I'm tired of Lard in a Cubs uniform. And I'm tired of the Brewers announcers. Today after sweeping the Lowrates, they actually said the Brewers "held serve in the central." I'm sorry but WTF?! But enough whining. Did Lou and Fuku have that talk? Maybe it worked. Good to see Kosuke really square one up today. And just for the hell of it, Cubs composite hitting so far, by position: ca .290 .367 .494 .861 1b .296 .363 .480 .843 2b .303 .377 .474 .851 ss .309 .382 .371 .753 3b .284 .383 .530 .913 LF .283 .344 .508 .853 CF .289 .371 .488 .860 RF .258 .362 .384 .745 P   .205 .222 .295 .518

in the postgame, they discussed that Lou did some batting coach instruction pregame for Fukudome. Apparently Lou wanted Kosuke to shorten his stride. He was practicing in the cage (where ever it is that he can practice during the game) with Gerald Perry supervision. Nothing like short term positive results.

Len & Bob put up a graphic during the game that was supposed to demonstrate the importance of being the first team to win 80 games. Not sure what they were thinking because of the five or six teams they showed, only one won the World Series. At any rate, the Cubs are first to win 80 this year. A month ago we were 60-42, good for a lonely 1 game lead over the Brewers. Since then the Cubs are 20-8 and Milwaukee is 17-12, five games back in the all-important loss column. Playing so many games at home, I thought getting to 30 games over .500 in August was key to winning the division. It means we only have to play .500 (16-16) the rest of the way (and with the remaining schedule not, by any means, easy that's a reasonable outcome) to win 96 games. To match that the Brewers need a 20-11 finish. But with 13 home games and 19 left on the road, if they maintain the current home&road winning %'s the Cubs will finish 19-13, 99-63. Milwaukee will need to go 23-8 (.742) just to tie.

The Cubs are at a .615 winning percentage. IF they hold that percentage (doubtful) they will have 99 wins after 161 games. And for the record, this is not a jinx as I don't think they can finish the season playing at that percentage. I'm just saying that it would be cool.

If the question is "Dempster or Zambrano?" the answer is "Rich Harden." The more he throws, the harder it is to deny that he's our best starting pitcher. Statistically it's not close: 49 IP, 1.47 ERA, 70 K's, 14 BB's. As long as he's capable of throwing 109+ pitches like he did today, I gotta think he's our Ace (although it would probably never be acknowledged by Cubs brass for fear of crushing Zambrano). I don't think he could snag the Ace title as a 5-6 inning guy, but his endurance seems to be building... And it's not a totally academic argument, because at some point Lou will have to decide which two SP's get two starts in a 5 game playoff series, and then (hopefully) who throws early in a 7 game series. It would be a nice problem to have, but the decision will be of the make-or-break variety.

[ ]

In reply to by 433

And it's not a totally academic argument, because at some point Lou will have to decide which two SP's get two starts in a 5 game playoff series, and then (hopefully) who throws early in a 7 game series. This has been discussed before. The pitchers that throw in games 1 and 2 in the playoffs (and in turn pitch two games) need to be able to come back on short rest. I would be utterly shocked if Harden came back on short rest, even in the playoffs. If the Cubs go with three starters in a five game series, it will look like this: Z Dempster Harden Z Dempster If they decide to go with four starters, than Harden could pitch games 1 and 5. Which would still allow you have to have Z and Dempster pitch games 1 and 2 in the NLCS.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Hopefully after last year's stupidity, Lou will go with the 4 man rotation in the playoffs.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

I really have to find written proof of this so I don't sound like a complete idiot....but: I have read that the NL team with the best record will be able to select NL division series "A" or NL division series "B". If it is like last year in the AL, when the Red Sox got to select their division series schedule, it will go like this: The "A" series would start on Thursday providing an extra break after the end of the regular season. (If Cubs pitch their #1 on Saturday, they could come back and start game #1 on regular rest). But then in the A series there is only a day off after game #2 and #4. In the "B" series, the series would Start on Wednesday, but then would have an extra day off between games #1 and #2. Therefore if the Cubs went with the "B" series: Wed: Game 1 Thu: Off Fri: Game 2 Sat: Off Sun: Game 3 Mon: Game 4 Tue: Off Wed: Game 5 Therefore, the Cubs #1 and #2 pitchers could pitch games 4&5 on regular rest. Of course, the team they play would get the same benefit. Again, keep in mind...I may have some facts totally wrong....so we'll see.

[ ]

In reply to by blockhead25

Interesting, Block -- I hadn't heard that. For what it's worth I got my Cubs playoff ticket invoice on Friday and the game dates for all playoff games were included (even the NLDS). They are as follows: NLDS: Game 1: 10/1 Game 2: 10/2 Game 3: 10/4 Game 4: 10/5 Game 5: 10/7 NLCS: Game 1: 10/9 Game 2: 10/10 Game 3: 10/12 Game 4: 10/13 Game 5: 10/15 Game 6: 10/17 Game 7: 10/18 WS: Game 1: 10/22 Game 2: 10/23 Game 3: 10/25 (Saturday night at Wrigley?) Game 4: 10/26 Game 5: 10/27 Game 6: 10/29 Game 7: 10/30 The letter and fact sheet doesn't say "subject to change" or anything like that, but I have to think there is some fluidity to dates.

[ ]

In reply to by 433

Yeah, I just saw those dates posted on tribune.com Maybe my previous comments came from someone making the false assumption that the schedule choice flipped from the AL last year to the NL this year. mea culpa.

[ ]

In reply to by blockhead25

Your rumor/idea makes sense, though. Right now there is very little reward for winning the division and having the best record, and choosing from 2 schedules would be a nice prize. If the season ended today, it's tough to say whether the Cubs or Brewers would have the better first round draw, even taking home field advantage into account. And that's ridiculous.

[ ]

In reply to by 433

if those dates are correct for the NLDS and the Cubs can set their rotation, I think I'd like this:

Game 1: Dempster or Z (depending on matchups and who has been pitching the best down the stretch run)

Game 2: Harden

Game 3: Dempster or Z (whoever didn't start Game 1)

Game 4: Lilly, unless the opposing team kills lefites, then you think about bringing the Game 1 starter back on short rest. Also could think about bringing the Game 1 starter back if they're down 2-1 and the Game 1 starter pitched well.

Game 5: Harden or Game 1 starter. Assume Lilly pitches Game 4, go with whomever pitched the best out of the two and the Game 3 starter should also be available for a inning or two. If they decide to go with the Game 1 starter on short rest for Game 4, then Harden goes on normal rest for Game 5. But that should give some options.

Looking at that also makes me think Dempster would be the best fit for Game 3 in case he's needed for a couple of innings in Game 5 since he's used to coming out of the bullpen. 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I have a lot of confidence in Dempster and Harden for the playoffs. Z scares me, though; I hope he rights his ship for the postseason.

[ ]

In reply to by nohit

that's awesome that Dempster inspires confidence without any playoff experience. Z was pretty inspiring last year in Arizona. 

I do that too - keep track of the team's wins by day of the week. we were 7-2 on mondays befor ethe break, our best day of the week. but since then we've gone 6-0 on sundays, and 5-1 on wednesdays (includes a doubleheader) while just 1-2 on mondays (lots of monday off days).

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • 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...