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

Game #73 Preview: Cubs (32-40) @ White Sox (37-34)

Back on June 13th, after Ted Lilly nearly no-hit the White Sox at Wrigley Field, the Sox' record was 28-34, and the Cubs stood at 28-35. The White Sox haven't lost since, and the Cubs have continued to stumble. They're now eight games under .500 and the same number of games behind the division-leading Cardinals.

On this, his 32nd birthday, Aramis Ramirez returns to the lineup after a stint on the DL with that nagging thumb problem, and Chad Tracy has been DFA'd. Tracy hit .250 (11-for-44) in 28 games for the Cubs.

In the big news of the day...

Steve Stone was on WSCR a little while ago and said that he and Lou Piniella had an agreeable meeting in the Cub clubhouse which included multiple handshakes. No back-patting or playful tousling of the hair was reported.

Cubs vs. Jake Peavy (6-5, 5.07; 4-2, 2.72 all-time vs. Cubs)
Fukudome 9, Colvin 7, Byrd 8, Lee 3, Ramirez 5, Soriano DH, Fontenot 6, Soto 2, Theriot 4

White Sox vs. Carlos Zambrano (3-5, 5.10; 5-3, 4.56 all-time vs. Sox)
Pierre 7, Vizquel 5, Rios 8, Konerko 3, Quentin 9, Kotsay DH, Pierzynski 2, Ramirez 6, Beckham 4

Comments

Only thing I might do differently with that lineup is swap Byrd and Colvin to break up the LH hitters. Hopefully Z will get it going versus the rival today. As bad as the season is and as bleak as our outlook is for 2011 - imagine what it would be like had we traded Cashner, Marhsall and Vitters for Jake Peavy.

Has anyone seen Russ Canzler play? He is one of the few prospects in the system showing any kind of power from an infield corner (I see he is getting time at 3B in addition to 1B), and is now hitting .307/.390/.569. At 24, is he starting to put things together and becoming a legit prospect, or is this just a temporarily productive ~140 ABs?

[ ]

In reply to by Ross_Barnes

Submitted by Ross_Barnes on Fri, 06/25/2010 - 1:30pm. Has anyone seen Russ Canzler play? He is one of the few prospects in the system showing any kind of power from an infield corner (I see he is getting time at 3B in addition to 1B), and is now hitting .307/.390/.569. At 24, is he starting to put things together and becoming a legit prospect, or is this just a temporarily productive ~140 ABs? ============================================ ROSS B: Russ Canzler is in his 7th season in the Cubs organization, and has never played above AA. He is also repeating AA. (This is known as the "Brandon Sing Syndrome"). Canzler will be a Rule 55 minor league free-agent (6YFA) post-2010, and will probably want to move to another organizational where he will at least get a shot at AAA. Canzler does have some HR power, and he can play corner IF-OF (although he is basically a 1B), but his ceiling is very limited.

great...now Z and dlee are fighting (verbal). water cooler knocked down...lou had to get in the middle of it. z went into the tunnel...still not back in the dugout. gorz. is warming up. think Z might be done... "this has been a dead ass team" - bob brenley

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

On the way home last night I heard in the postgame show that Zambrano said in his initial rant: We're playing like shit. This is a horse shit team (etc) On the video you can read Derrek Lee's lips: Shut the fuck up! Shut the fuck up! That's bullshit (repeated several times) When Zambrano hears Lee tell him to STFU, he wheels around and starts yelling directly at Lee, I can only assume telling him that he wasn't fielding his position properly. But who knows I say mad props to Lee for telling Zambrano he was out of line. I like Z's "fire," but this was a little much. Apparently the whole team must really hate Z if the mild mannered, lead by example, DLee has had enough. Everyone else on the team has probably been wishing he had done it a long time ago. Curious thought, what if Fontenot or say, Colvin had told Zambrano to STFU? Would he tear his head off immediately? Kick him into LF?

[ ]

In reply to by Jumbo

Point well taken that this team and organization are a joke, but coming from Z it smacks more of a desire to show everybody up than a real intent to fire up the team or fix anything (least of all his own cruddy performance). He wants to pretend he's not part of the crapulence when, in fact, he is. Showing up Lee is particularly ridiculous. Everyone knows he's having an all-around down year, but he's saved this team's bacon defensively way, way more often than not over the years. It's not like he's Todd Walker or Theriot or some other brick-gloved chump. I usually reflexively defend Z even when he's an idiot, but no can do this time.

[ ]

In reply to by Pell Mell

Yeah, it would have been nice if Zambrano had done something like this, say, before the game, and then went out and threw lights out and kept being pumped up in an effort to energize the team. Or again, if there were 2 errors or something and he strikes out the side around them to save the inning and then comes back and yells. Etc. But at this point he has no standing. The team is a horseshit team in part because its alleged #1 starter pitched so poorly he was the 6th best on his team and relegated to the bullpen, where he also struggled. And the team was down 4-0 not because infielders did not dive and knock down balls, but because Zambrano was leaving everything up in the zone and balls were getting scalded.

I hereby change my official stance, play Colvin and Castro, gut the entire franchise and every starting player besides those 2, hell pay the entire salaries of players so you can get good prospects back and just float a 15 million dollar payroll. Gut the front office and every coach and scout not named Ryne Sandberg. "Start Fresh" is my new theme, you ain't got to go home but you can't be a Chicago Cub anymore. This team sickens me.

Milton Bradley has ruined this team. --- Returning to the cell...an anniversary of sorts, when Lou sent MB home after calling him a POS. Hopefully Lou knows how to say POS in spanish. 6/26/09
...after Bradley threw his helmet and tossed a Gatorade cooler in the dugout following a bad at-bat.
Bradley had struck out in the first and the fourth innings, then flew out to left for the second out in the sixth. He threw a fit in the dugout, and Piniella decided to discipline the outfielder. "I told him to take his uniform off," Piniella said. "He threw his helmet and smashed the water cooler and there was water flying all over. I told him to take his uniform off and go home. "I followed him up to the clubhouse and we exchanged some words. I don't like when those things happen, but I was tired of watching it." Piniella said Bradley's actions have been a "common occurrence." "I've looked the other way a lot," Piniella said, "and I'm done with it."
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090626&content_id=5550086&vke…

I'm getting to like the 2010 team philosophy...lose the first two games of each series. Based on that we're seriously overachieving as our win percentage is well above .333 (started the day at .444) So we've got quite a ways to go, downhill.

Lou postgame says Z's behavior is unacceptable, at the least he will need to apologize to the whole team and expects Hendry to take disciplinary action. Lou asked about why he's always having to send someone home from the cell. Ozzie laughs at Z, saying he's gonna have plenty of time to make dinner reservations.

DennisCulloton (Ricketts PR Guy) This wouldn't happen at the Friendly Confines. followed by Paul Sullivan Ricketts' spokesman blames the Cell for Z outburst: RT @DennisCulloton This wouldn't happen at the Friendly Confines. followed back by Culloton that was a joke Sully. Where's my gatorade? RT @PWSullivan: Ricketts' spokesman blames the Cell for Z outburst followed by bleedcubbieblue @DennisCulloton "Jokes" like that aren't funny, especially in situations like this.

At the game today. Blah Guessing Z still had hard feelings from lee s performance at wriglry when he pitched. 2 errors in 1 inning Guessing Rob G was right sharks vs jets going on inclubhouse. call hendry in clubhouse for team meeting and throw grenade in there and let god sort them out.

In 2007 and 2008 Z was my favorite player. Old school - tough - offense and pitching. But man - he needs to get some professional help. I am assuming he will be doing it if he wants to pitch for the club anymore.

Brett Jackson hit by a pitch and removed from Daytona's game yesterday. Injury described in the game writeup as a triceps contusion - apparently was hit intentionally in retaliation for Junior Lake's first dinger of the season right before him.

Z still has a ton of value. A guy with a season ERA never above 4.00 and age 29? Yeah teams will come a calling, but what the Cubs do best is destroy trade value, they won't be offering much. He isn't a player on his last legs, he is a player that probably needs a whole new organization, a change of scenery. Zambrano and Zambrano alone has the potential to bring back better talent than anyone else. He is the single best trading chip on the roster.

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.