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

Back to School

Brandon Guyer slammed a two-run homer and had three hits, and six pitchers combined to throw a three-hitter, as the Cubs defeated the A's 6-2 in AZ Instructional League Opening Day action at the Papago Sports Complex in Phoenix this afternoon.

The Cubs got on the board almost immediately versus A's starter LHP Pedro Figueroa, putting up a four-spot in the top of the 1st.

Cubs 2008 13th round pick Tony Campana (U. of Cincinnati) led-off the game with a ground single to center, and alertly moved up to 2nd base when A's CF Rashun Dixon bobbled the ball.

Shortstop Starlin Castro (recently rated a Top 20 AZL prospect by Baseball America) advanced the speedy Campana to 3rd base on a ground out to SS,  and then Campana galloped home on an RBI infield single by ex-2B Robinson Chirinos (who is at Instructs to further learn his new position of catcher).  

2007 5th round pick CF Brandon Guyer (UVA) followed the Chirinos RBI hit with a two-run HR off the scoreboard in right-center, making it 3-0.

But the Cubs weren't done yet. 

2008 25th round pick 1B Rebel Ridling (Oklahoma State) roped a double down the left-field line, and after a walk and a HBP loaded the bases, the Reb scored the fourth  run of the inning on a ground ball base hit to left by 3B Junior Lake (another BA 2008 AZL Top 20 prospect).  

The Cubs scored their 5th run in the top of the 6th on a walk to Lake, a WP, a ground out, and a balk, and 2B Jake Opitz (2008 12th round pick out of U. of Nebraska) accounted for the 6th and final Cub run with a  line-drive home run off the foul pole in RF in the top of the 8th.

Cubs 3rd round pick RHP Aaron Shafer (Wichita State) got the Opening Day start for the Cubs and threw two shutout & hitless innings (30 pitches - 21 strikes), and Cubs 2008 2nd round pick RHP Chris Carpenter (Kent State) followed with two more shutout frames (32 pitches - 19 strikes).

Shafer displayed good control, mixing his high-80's moving fastball with a curve and a change (all of which he consistently throws for strikes), while Carpenter alternated a 93 MPH two-seamer, a change, and an effective breaking ball to keep the A's hitters off-balance. 

And hard-throwing RHP reliever Dan McDaniel (2008 14th round pick out of Chabot JC) hit 94 MPH consistently and touched 95 in his two innings of work (36 pitches - 22 strikes), mixing his plus-fastball with a knee-buckling bender and a straight-change, as he struck out four. He wasn't quite as sharp as Shafer or Carpenter, but he was bringing some heat to the dish. (One of the scouts in attendance mentioned that McDaniel fell to the 14th round only because he was considered a tough sign, a virtual "lock" to transfer to Oklahoma State).   

The only runs allowed by the Cubs scored in the bottom of the 6th, when A's catcher Juan Nunez took LHP James Leverton (Cubs 8th round pick out of Texas Tech) deep to LF. Ex-1B Leverton struggled with his command today (23 pitches, but only 12 strikes). 

LHP Dustin Sasser (15 pitches - 10 strikes) and converted catcher (now RHP) Jake Muyco (15 pitches - 8 strikes) each threw a shutout & hitless inning. 

Here is the abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP
1. Tony Campana, RF: 2-4 (R, HBP, SB, PO)
2. Starlin Castro, SS: 1-5 (K, PO)
3a. Robinson Chirinos, C: 1-3 (R, RBI, K)
3b. Matt Cerda, PH-DH: 0-1 (BB, K)
4. Brandon Guyer, CF: 3-4 (TWO-RUN HR, SB)
5. Rebel Ridling, 1B: 1-4 (2B, R)
6. Jericho Jones, DH #1: 0-3 (BB, K)
7. Jake Opitz, 2B: 1-2 (SOLO HR, BB, HBP, K)
8. Junior Lake, 3B: 1-2 (R, RBI, 2 BB, K)
9. Logan Watkins, LF: 0-4 (K)
10. Michael Brenly, DH-C: 0-3 (BB, K, GIDP)

PITCHERS:
1. Aaron Shafer - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP (2/0 GB/FB)
2. Chris Carpenter - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K (4/1 GO/FO)
3. James Leverton - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP  (2/1 GO/FO)
4. Dan McDaniel - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K (1/1 GO/FO)
5. Dustin Sasser - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP (1/1 GO/FO)
6. Jake Muyco - 1.0 IP,  0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K (1/2 GO/FO)

ERRORS (2):
1. Starlin Castro (fielding miscue at SS)   
2. Dan McDaniel (errant pick-off throw at 2nd base)

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Robinson Chirinos: 0-2 CS
Michael Brenly: 0-1 CS

WEATHER: Mostly sunny, upper 90's, with a southwest breeze
ATTENDANCE: 12 (mostly scouts)

Here is the up-to-date Cubs 2008 AZ INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE roster

40 players

* bats or throws left

PITCHERS (23):
* Jeff Beliveau
Alberto Cabrera
David Cales
Chris Carpenter
Miguel Corletto (2008 DSL Cubs making U. S. debut)
Diego Encarnacion (2008 DSL Cubs making U. S. debut)
Erik Hamren
* James Leverton
Oswaldo Martinez
Toby Matchulat
Dan McDaniel
Tommy Mejia
Tarlandus Mitchell
John Muller (ex-SS, was converted to RHP in 2007)
Jake Muyco (ex-catcher, was converted to RHP in 2008)
Andres Quezada (ex-OF, has returned from DSL Cubs)
* Jayson Ruhlman
* Dustin Sasser
Brian Schlitter (acquired from PHI for Scott Eyre)
Aaron Shafer
* Luke Sommer (ex-OF, was converted to LHP in 2008) 
Larry Suarez
Steve Vento

CATCHERS (5):
Michael Brenly
* Matt Cerda
(played SS in HS, Cubs envision him as a catcher)
Robinson Chirinos
(ex-2B, was converted to catcher in 2008)
Juan Medina  (2008 DSL Cubs making U. S. debut)
Carlos Perez

INFIELDERS (7):
Rebel Ridling
Josh Harrison
* Jake Opitz
Starlin Castro
Junior Lake
Carlos Morales
(2008 DSL Cubs making U. S. debut)
Josh Vitters

OUTFIELDERS (5): 
* Tony Campana
Brandon Guyer
* Dylan Johnston
(was moved from SS to OF in ST)
Jericho Jones
* Logan Watkins
(drafted as SS, played mostly 2B in AZL)

NOTES: 2008 #1 pick RHP Andrew Cashner returned home to Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and it is unknown exactly when or if he will be returning to Instructs.  

RHP Ryan Acosta, catcher Luis Flores (2008 7th round pick out of Oklahoma State)  and 3B-1B Jovan Rosa (led MWL in doubles with 43) were on the AZ Intructional League roster released by the Cubs earlier this month, but they have been scratched (unknown why).

Catcher Carlos Perez (played at Boise in 2008) was a late addition.

Besides Cashner, Acosta, Rosa, and Flores, other notable absentees include 3B-1B John Contreras, 2008 Supplemental 1st round pick (also ex-Team USA) SS-2B Ryan Flaherty, SS-3B-2B Marwin Gonzalez, 2B-LF Dwayne Kemp, SS Nate Samson, 1B Ryan Keedy and Sean Hoorelbeke, outfielders Cliff Andersen, Kyler Burke, Nelson Perez, Drew Rundle, and Jonathan Wyatt, and pitchers Jeffry Antigua, Casey Coleman, Chris Huseby, Jay Jackson, Kevin Kreier, Mark Pawelek, Cedric Redmond, Ryan Searle, and Josh Whitlock (to name a few) 

In the case of the MIA pitchers, it is usually just a matter of the Cubs not wanting a youngster to throw any additional innings, but it is unknown why the position players listed above aren't in attendance. .  

Daytona 2B Tony Thomas, 3B Marquez Smith, LHP Jeremy Papelbon, and RHP Blake Parker might have been expected to attend the Instructional League, but all four will be playing in the Hawaiian Winter League instead.

And Daytona SS Darwin Barney will be joining fellow Cubs prospects RHPs Esmailin Caridad, Jesse Estrada, and Rocky Roquet, LHP Donald Veal, C-1B Steve Clevenger, 2B Nate Spears, and OF Tyler Colvin (and Peoria manager Ryne Sandberg) in the Arizona Fall League (Mesa Solar Sox) starting next month.   

All of the Cubs roving minor league instructors and several of the minor league managers and coaches are working with the prospects attending the Cubs Instructs at Fitch Park, so the youngsters are probably getting as much (or more) expert instruction compressed into three weeks as they might otherwise get over a full season. 

The AZ Instructional League continues play through October 11th.

Comments

Cubs 2007 #1 draft pick 3B Josh Vitters was named the Northwest League's #1 prospect by Baseball America today, and 2008 Supplemental 1st rounder SS Ryan Flaherty was ranked #12 (and BA expects the Cubs to move Flaherty to 2B). 

Last week, Baseball America ranked infielders Starlin Castro and Junior Lake among the Top 20 prospects in the AZL (Castro checked in at #14 and Lake was #16).  

BA bases their rankings on input from scouts and rival league managers.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Thanks as always, AZ Phil! As a heads up, in the Baseball America chat for the NWL, the writer said that RHP Dan McDaniel was amongst the next 5 who didn't make their top 20 list. Pretty good for a guy who was a reliever all season.

Great article. The Cubs do have prospects, probably a lot are under recognized. I'm really excited about Josh Harrison. How does he compare to Tony Thomas?

Great insight!! I think that Jake Opitz is really special, LH hitter who can play any infield position. Keep an eye on him in instructs. What do you think?

AZ Phil, do you know anything about any of the guys who are coming up from the DSL this year? I'd guess they were some of the better prospects down there last year since they're already in the U.S. (side note: I'm disappointed Jesus Morelli isn't up at instructs; he had great numbers in the DSL and is only 18). Also, I know Ryan Acosta was hurt earlier in the season? Could it be he's still hurt and that's why he isn't at instructs? Thanks as always for the great insight!

By the way, no Cubs made the top 20 Midwestern League prospects. In the chat, Jim Callis did say Dae-Eun Rhee woulda made the top 10 if he stayed healthy. How depressing!!

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.