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

Opening Day Deux

logoThe season hasn’t even started and the door is already revolving.

The weather today in Des Moines is passable but the Iowa Cubs are opening the 2011 season on the road at Round Rock, TX. Thomas Diamond is supposed to oppose Express southpaw Michael Kirkman, the #6 prospect in the Ranger system who takes the mound tonight with these creds: 2010 PCL Pitcher of the Year [13-3 with a 3.09 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 131 innings for Oklahoma City]. He also won two PCL Pitcher of the Week awards and led the PCL with an .813 winning percentage. Kirkman made his Major League debut on Aug. 24, 2010, against the Baltimore Orioles, striking out the first three hitters he faced and was named the 2010 Nolan Ryan Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

The home opener falls on tax day a week from tomorrow against the Memphis Redbirds, the team that nosed out the I-Cubs for a playoff spot in a Labor Day series last year that was about as compelling as minor league action gets.

There have been some changes in the PCL since then. The Portland Beavers have become the Tucson Padres. Two years from now they’re slated to move on again to Escondido, 30 miles from their parent club in San Diego. Triple A towns are building parks to woo teams too. Both Padre teams are owned by Jeff Moorad who got Escondido’s agreement to build a $50 million stadium before he bought the Beavers.

The Royals still have their traditional affiliation with Omaha, but the team will now be called the Storm Chasers and move from the historic Rosenblatt Stadium, home of the College World Series, to Werner Park, a brand new playground on the outskirts of town. I may road trip over there on May Day to check out the new digs and the top tier of the highly rated Royal farm system since Omaha doesn’t come to Des Moines until June.

Out of the chute some key parts of the I-Cubs will be rehabbing in warm weather, notably Welington Castillo and Jay Jackson. That’s a battery I was looking forward to. Sounds like Jackson, Brad Snyder and Castillo may all join the team in time for the home opener.  As it is there are no highly touted prospects on the fast track and no HOF’ers paying managerial dues in bush league dugouts. There’s not much buzz period as the season gets underway so we’ll see what develops. From what AZP says it sounds like Bobby [much more baseballish than Robert] Coello has the potential to make sparks fly with both arm and mouth and Max Ramirez reminds me in advance of Jake Fox a little bit; a hitter in search of a position. A couple of Aprils ago while he was here Fox hit like Joe Hardy from Damn Yankees. Pepe LaHair should help us Iowinians get over Micah Hoffpauir . Which Smokies might I get a look at before the summer’s over? Castro and Colvin skipped Des Moines on their way up and Cashner was here just long enough for one memorable outing last spring.  

Let's get the door spinning!

 

Comments

Marquez Smith was fun to watch swing the bat in spring training. When he hit the ball, he clobbered it, and a couple of the visiting announcers were commenting on his bat speed. You have something we don't have, a couple of guys, Campana and Perez, who like to steal bases. I hope you're pleasantly surprised by Campana. You're right, a lot of older players, competent but uninteresting. Maybe they'll compete well. The other three opening-day starters on the farm tonight are Rusin (Tenn), Whitenack (Day) and, of course, Simpson (Peo).

Fuld batting leadoff for rays vs sox today Bb stole 2nd & 3rd /hi aj !

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

I watch the Sox games sometimes when I'm bored and can't find any other baseball to appease me, but I have to turn the sound off. I can't tolerate Harrelson and Stone, or Ed Farmer on the radio.

[ ]

In reply to by Paul Noce

I'm actually pro-Steve Stone, but Harrelson saps any morsel of professionalism out of the TV booth. Ed Farmer is just annoying. The broadcasting crew make the Sox very easy to hate. I'm just following the game on Yahoo.

Based on his career numbers, however, we shouldn’t expect Garza to post a similar line any time soon. This is one of those starts where you just sit back and marvel at the absurdity of the final line. You’re not going to see this one very often.
Don't go too far out on that ledge there pal. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/matt-garzas-crazy-start/ anyway, went to BR's play index and searched for games where pitcher gave up 10 or more hits, had 10 or more K's and had 1 or less walks Came up with 109, slightly over 1 per season average. I don't have the service so I only get the partial results, but happened 3 times lastyear, twice in 2009, and 14 times between '97 and '07. Pedro, R. Johnson, Schilling, K. Brown are some of the names they do show.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

it showed the first 10 dates from 2011 going backwards (Garza's is obviously first), but no names or stats, then 10 names from 2003 to 1997 and then says 109 total results. I don't feel like paying for it. The 10 dates if you wish... 4/3/11, 8/15/10, 6/30/10, 5/11/10, 6/15/09, 8/14/07, 6/4/05, 9/19/03 followed by the next 10 where it gave a name... Pedro (8/6/03), Kelvim Escobar (6/13/03), C. Schilling (5/18/02), Schilling (4/25/01), R. Johnson (8/9/00), P. Astacio (8/15/00), Jimmy Haynes (8/18/98), K. Brown (7/15/98), R. Johnson (6/30/98), C. Schilling (6/22/98), M. Gardner (7/27/97) Schilling got pasted in two of those outings as well as did Jimmy Haynes (5.2 IP, 4 ER, 11 H, 10 K, 1 BB). The rest produced 4.5 or below ERA's for the games. maybe that link will work for folks http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/game_finder.cgi?type=p#aja…

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

if you add XBH's at one or less to the criteria, only 18 games are returned, the last before Garza's happening on 8/9/2000 which is the Randy Johnson game mentioned above. If you go 0 XBH's and 0 BB's (I had 1 or less)...you get 3 games returned. Garza's, one on 6/25/83 and on 9/5/81

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I was making a joke. I wonder if you just take out Schilling and Johnson what the stats look like. I think it was the right approach for Garza to take - with the wind whipping out to left and facing only two hitters capable of 20 HR's, both hitting LH , throw a shit load of strikes - unfortunately it didn't work out. I wonder if Garza is one of those pitchers who exhibits little to no control on his batted pitch outcomes.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

it was just a rare day. he gave up a bunch of singles and it didn't punish his pitch count or his ERA that badly. he got his work in enough to rack up the Ks without pushing too many runners across the plate or sending his pitch count into the 100+ area too early. it was quite the "spring training, getting work in" type outing...only it counted.

fergie ever do that? seems like a line he could have produced...

[ ]

In reply to by Mike Wellman

see above, but I didn't pay for their service, so I can't tell you ever occurrence, just the total number. As mentioned, criteria I used were H>9, K>9, BB < 2, and then modified with adding XBH < 2 and then BB=0 and XBH=0

once witnessed ray burris 'scatter' i think 12 hits in a cg shutout...

About to head out to Round Rock to see I-Cub opener. Will be going tonight, Saturday and Sunday. Any recommendations on who/what to watch?

iowa: Lineup: Campana CF | Perez RF | Montanez LF | LaHair 1B | Ramirez C | Scales 2B | Smith 3B | Wright DH | Camp SS | Diamond P daytona: DCubs Lineup@Bre 1.Watkins 2B 2.Cerda 3B 3.Ha CF 4.Bour 1B 5.Castillo DH 6.Burgess LF 7.Brenly C 8.Perez RF 9.Lake SS RHP Whitenack peoria:1. Matt Szczur CF. 2. Rubi Silva RF, 3. Greg Rohan 3B, 4 . Richard Jones 1B, 5. DJ Fitzgerald DH, 6. Micah Gibbs C, 7. Anthony Giansanti LF, 8. Arismendy Alcantara SS 9. Pierre LePage 2B, RHP Hayden Simpson

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Jackson immediately walks out of the leadoff spot, but is erased on a GIDP by Flaherty, Vitters singles in his first AB and ends up scoring a run. Jackson singles in a run his next AB, as does Flaherty, but LeMahieu GIDP with bases loaded. 4-0 Smokies in 2nd.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Jackson walks again in his 3rd AB, Rusin throwing a gem through 3, then gives up 2 in the 4th. M. Burgess HR for Daytona Szczur tried to stretch a triple in his first ab, but got thrown out. T. Diamond K's Chris Davis in the first,but a double by Chad Tracy leads to a run. Max Ramirez already with a passed ball. H. Simpson 3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 K so far..sweet!

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

if Gameday is accurate Diamond not quite through 2 innings yet, has thrown 54 pitches, half for strikes with 3 BB's, 4 K's and a HR allowed. I'm going to assume that's not gonna get him a call-up for Tuesday.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Iowa offense making it easy for Diamond, up 10-2 now in the 4th, the AAAA's having the best days, although everyone but M. Camp has reached base by this point. Vitters 2/4 now with a line out in his 4th AB. Jackson triples and is 2/3 with 2 BB'S

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

by AAAA's I meant the Lou Montanez, Bobby Scales of the world, I think you'd be more likely to see them if the Cubs were in contention and needed a fill-in for whatever reason. My comment was to point out that Montanez, Scales, LaHair were having the big days as opposed to the real prospects like Campana, Smith, etc, who did well enough on their own.

bryce harper 2-2 (2 singles, 1 RBI, SB + CS (pickoff)) after 3 innings in the pros.

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.