Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Garrett Cooper
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs Draw Blanks at Indian School Park

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Six pitchers combined to throw a five-hit shutout with ten strikeouts, as the Giants blanked the Cubs 4-0 in AZ Instructional League action at Indian School Park Field #2 in Scottsdale this afternoon.

Lanky 6’5 20-year old RHP David Henrie (2011 NDFA – Trinidad State JC) made his pro debut for the Cubs today, getting the start and throwing one inning. He allowed one run on a walk and two singles, and struck out one (the first man he faced, on three pitches). The Cubs signed Henrie last month after watching him pitch for the Arvada Colts in the Rocky Mountain Baseball League (a collegiate summer "wood bat" league) and a subsequent work-out for Cubs scouts at Fitch Park on August 15th.

Also making his pro debut today for the Cubs was 16-year old Venezuelan switch-hitting catcher Mark Malave. One of the top-rated 16-year old International players available at the start of the International Signing Period, Malave received a reported $1.6M bonus (equivalent to “1st round money”) this past July. He is a big dude (6'3), a typical catcher, bottom-heavy and barrel-chested. He was a DH today, and went 0-3 with two strikeouts (both swinging) and a 1-3 tap-out. He looked over-matched at the plate, but you have to remember he is the same age as a HS junior in the U. S. (he won’t turn 17 until next year).

21-year old RHRP Tony Zych (Cubs 2011 4th round draft pick out of the U. of Louisville) pitched the 6th inning. He came out firing high-velocity gas and a sharp-breaking slider, and had an easy eight-pitch 1-2-3 inning with lots of swings & misses and two strikeouts. I wouldn't be surprised if Zych ends up on the same track in 2012 as Kevin Rhoderick and Aaron Kurcz this past season, starting the year at Daytona.

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Zeke DeVoss, LF: 1-3 (1B, 1-3, P-1, PO)
2. Javier Baez, SS: 1-3 (F-8, K, 1B)
3. Rafael Lopez, DH #1: 0-3 (4-3, 4-3, 4-3)
4. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 0-3 (K, K, 6-3)
5a. Reggie Golden, RF: 0-2 (K, L-4)
5b. Jeffrey Baez, RF: 0-1 (K)
6a. Dustin Geiger, 3B: 1-1 (1B, HBP, CS)
6b. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 1-1 (1B)
7. Shawon Dunston, Jr, CF: 0-2 (F-7, 2-3 SH, L-5)
8. Mark Malave, DH #2: 0-3 (K, 1-3, K)
9. Carlos Penalver, 2B: 0-3 (6-3, K, F-9)
10. Neftali Rosario, DH-C: 0-2 (K, F-7)
11. Justin Marra, C-DH: 1-2 (K, 1B)

PITCHERS:
1. David Henrie: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 23 pitches (16 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO
2. Charles Thomas: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 36 pitches (23 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO
3. Felix Pena: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 BALK, 36 pitches (23 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
4. Tony Zych: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 8 pitches (7 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO
5. Jose Rosario: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 23 pitches (16 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO

ERRORS: 3
1. 2B Carlos Penalver - E4 (errant throw at 1st base on single allowed batter-runner to advance to 2nd base)
2. RF Reggie Golden - E9 (dropped line drive allowing batter to reach base safely)
3. SS Javier Baez - E6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely and unearned run to score)

ATTENDANCE: 37

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 90’s

Tags
Cubs Minor Leaguers
AZ Instructional League

Comments

Submitted by Charlie on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 09:46 pm

Mark Malave is 16-years-old and already 6'3" with a barrel chest and heavy legs? Have to think that dude is eventually going to be really big and really strong. Hopefully that translates to power, cause it's not very likely to translate to defense or speed.

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Submitted by George Altman on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 09:16 pm

Isn't that what he does best besides stumping for the city of Chicago to help him rebuild Wrigley (as if that's a good idea)? Really can't wait to see who he selects to replace Hendry. It will define my Cubs fan status for the foreseeable future.

Submitted by Raisin101 on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 09:48 pm

Hey Arizona Phil, I know it's still a bit early but what is your impression of Jeimer Candelario? I have hopes that he'll be able to bypass Mesa next July a la Willson Contreras (though with more success at Boise than Contreras had).

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 10:03 am

Submitted by Raisin101 on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 9:48pm. Hey Arizona Phil, I know it's still a bit early but what is your impression of Jeimer Candelario? I have hopes that he'll be able to bypass Mesa next July a la Willson Contreras (though with more success at Boise than Contreras had). ================================= RAISIN: Jeimer Candelario has a sweet swing and can really drive the ball left-handed, but he is more of a punch hitter right-handed. So he is a lot like Marco Hernandez in that respect. Candelario has a big frame (he is bigger than Dustin Geiger) and looks like he could develop some significant HR power (at least LH) as he matures (he is only 17). He already is pretty strong (like bull). He shows some promise defensively and has a strong arm, but he has (at best) average speed, and so far he has been a "hacker" at Instructs. I cannot believe this is the same kid who racked up all those walks in the DSL. Perhaps he was told when he arrived at Fitch Park that his future will be as a middle-of-the-order run producer and so he needs to be more aggressive and not take so many pitches, because he certainly hasn't shown much patience or strike zone judgment so far. As for his future, I could see him getting to Boise in 2012. I think he is at the very least as good a 3B prospect as Wilson Contreras or Dustin Geiger. One other thing about Candelario is that he is very talkative in the field (he speaks English very well and doesn't have much of an accent). He has a loud comment after almost every pitch. I'm waiting for him to start going "hey batter... hey batter... hey batter... SWING!" The guy Candelario reminds me of is Steve Ontiveros, who played 3B for the Cubs in the 1970's.

Submitted by toonsterwu on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:05 am

AzPhil - I might've asked you this before, but what's your take on Geiger's chances of sticking at 3rd? Physically, it's hard to imagine him sticking there, but curious for your thoughts. Also, any early takes on how Jeffrey Baez looks? He's sort of been overshadowed by Candelario and Penalver, along with Malave, but he is a very intriguing talent.

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 10:44 am

Submitted by toonsterwu on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 11:05pm. AzPhil - I might've asked you this before, but what's your take on Geiger's chances of sticking at 3rd? Physically, it's hard to imagine him sticking there, but curious for your thoughts. Also, any early takes on how Jeffrey Baez looks? He's sort of been overshadowed by Candelario and Penalver, along with Malave, but he is a very intriguing talent. ==================================== TOONSTER: I think Dustin Geiger has a chance to stick at 3B, even though he looks a lot more comfortable at 1B. I think he will likely begin the 2012 season back at Peoria as the Chiefs starting 3B and #5 or #6 hitter, but there is nobody blocking him at Daytona, so he could get promoted quickly if he shows the Cubs that he has mastered Peoria. While Zeke DeVoss, Shawon Dunston, Jr, and Trey Martin look like track guys, Jeffrey Baez is built like a football player (like a running back or an outside linebacker), and he isn't quite as fast as I thought he would be. He also looks more like a RF than a CF, and in fact he has played only RF so far at Instructs. He is VERY raw.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:34 am

Castro finishes 6th in batting, 1st in hits, youngest ever to lead the league in hits. Tied for 9th in doubles, tied for 5th in triples. Ramirez finished tied for 9th in hits, 7th in batting. Pena finished 3rd in walks, 5th in K's. Campana finished tied for 14th in SB's. Garza finished 14th in ERA, 9th in K's Dempster tied for 11th in K's, also 5th highest in BB's allowed and 12th highest in Hits allowed. Marshall 3rd in Holds Marmol 10th in Saves, 1st in blown saves.

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:09 am

look on the bright side boston...you let wakefield get all those starts he shouldn't have gotten, but he got that important 200th win. lulz. i don't think i could take another offseason of BOS/NYY being in it, especially if it made it to the ALDS. btw, after tonight is there any doubt left that baseball is fixed? :[

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Submitted by toonsterwu on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:24 pm

That sounds like a best case. Still curious how that slider plays in full-season competition, as the slider I saw last year wasn't fooling anyone. I think most of the pre-draft reports suggested it was a below-average slider. In terms of minor league arms that could be late inning types - Keep in mind that Aaron Kurcz is a possible late inning arm coming off a good season in Daytona and will likely be in Tennessee next year. Some Cubs fans believe Carpenter can turn it around and shore up his control enough that his stuff can dominate. There's also Dolis, who, if he can get consistent on the breaking ball, could be an option. Then, there's my sleeper late inning arm - Alberto Cabrera. He can still bring the heat, and he still has a solid to good slider (though my hunch is that the Cubs may keep him in the rotation for another year). Rhoderick's probably more a setup type of talent, but he's moved fast. Another sleeper is Marcus Hatley, who's got mid-90's heat and good slider, but still curious how it plays in the upper levels as he finally reached AA this year.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:12 pm

from John Manuel of BA, apparently a Team USA vs. Canada game is happening today. Brett Jackson came up a bit lame on a steal of 3rd for Team USA. Might have jammed an ankle, looks like right leg. He's staying in

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:17 pm

Quade on his job secuirty: http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7033204/chicago-cubs-mike-qua… I'm as anxious as anybody to know who they are going to hire, but I don't do any speculation or listen to rumors and stuff. But no anxiety. Funny how those two words are so close together, almost like one refers to being in a state of the other. Then he goes on to put the people outside of the dugout in their place: "Look, it's baseball. It's a long season," Quade said. "Everyone has it figured out. If you're a sports fan, you're a sports fan. But there is so much that goes into this." I just love him more and more every day.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:57 pm

granted this is a MLB PR tweet but... 18 MLB clubs increased vs. ’10 with 9 drawing more than 3 million & 13 topping 2.5 million. and The last 8 years make up the eight best-attended seasons in @MLB history. remember this next time starts freaking out about poor attendance in April

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:00 pm

payroll rankings of playoff teams: 1, 3, 10, 11, 13, 16, 24, 29. so not in are 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. let's play guess the teams Yanks (1) Phillies (3) Cardinals (10) Tigers (11) Brewers (13) Rangers (16) DBacks (24) Rays (29) I'll look up the answer in the next couple of hours.

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Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:54 pm

Yanks (1) Phillies (3) Tigers (10) Brewers(11) Cardinals (13) Rangers (16) DBacks (24) Rays (29) I flipped the Brewers and Cardinals just to be more different. I'm really surprised the Phillies weren't #2.

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Submitted by crunch on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 09:54 am

hehe. with players, managers, and owners already complaining about how long the year is i wouldn't give this one too much room to go anywhere (not like it was on the table or something)...but yeah, that sounds fun as hell. hehe...especially with the dead time between end-of-season and playoffs. letting the 2 worst teams decide the order of the start of the draft...craptastic. if...aka when...they eventually shorten the season to add more playoff teams that'll be fun. i don't think a lot of players would be too upset about it.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:59 pm

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/7894786-573/solid-septembe… “He’s getting some base hits and doing some things, obviously,’’ manager Mike Quade said. “But his at-bats, his takes, his pitch counts that he’s running up — he’s doing a lot of good stuff. Even if it results in a line drive to right for an out. That’s been, to me, the most impressive thing about him.’’ Even as LaHair has cooled over the last week, he still has been in more deep counts than anyone on the roster this side of Carlos Pena. In fact, his 4.28 pitches per plate appearance, entering Monday’s game, would have led the Cubs and ranked third in the National League if he had enough PAs to qualify (Pena was fifth at 4.10, the only Cub in the top 30 in the NL).

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 09:40 pm

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/40474 Re: Friedman coming to Cubs I doubt it. I think Friedman is in a great position there with a president and an owner he trusts and who have given him the latitude to do the job as he sees fit. I could see him getting a new deal from Tampa along the way, but I have a feeling the Cubs will have to go with someone who isn't currently a GM. I've heard Dan Evans as a rumored name there. ---- you are named the cubs gm tomorrow - what is your move? Pujols, Fielder or complete rebuild? I don't think those are mutually exclusive. If the owner tells me he wants one of those two 1b, I might try to get him to set some reasonable limits on the contracts, but both are great players and could be useful even if we're not competitive in 2012. ---- Re: Fleita and Wilken Asking the philosophy behind extending two top lieutenants would be my first question. It shouldn't be a dealbreaker if the candidate can otherwise bring in whoever he wants.

Recent comments

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I don’t see Tauchman as a weak link in any position. He simply adds his value in a different way.

    I don’t know that we gain much by putting him in the outfield - Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki and Tauchman all field their positions well. If you’re looking for Taucnman’s kind of AB in a particular game I don’t see why it can’t come from DH.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Tauchman gets a pinch hit RBI single with a liner to RF. This is his spot. He's a solid 4th OF. But he isn't a DH. 

    He takes pitches. Useful. I still believe in having good hitters.

    You don't want your DH to be your weak link (other than your C maybe)

  • crunch (view)

    bit of a hot take here, but i'm gonna say it.

    the 2024 marlins don't seem to be good at doing baseballs.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    The issue is the Cubs are 11-7 and have been on the road for 12 of those 18.  We should be at least 13-5, maybe 14-4. Jed isn't feeling any pressure to play anyone he doesn't see fit.
    But Canario on the bench, Morel not at 3B for Madrigal and Wisdom in RF wasn't what I thought would happen in this series.
    I was hoping for Morel at 3B, Canario in RF, Wisdom at DH and Madrigal as a pinch hitter or late replacement.
    Maybe Madrigal starts 1 game against the three LHSP for Miami.
    I'm thinking Canario goes back to Iowa on Sunday night for Mastrobuoni after the Miami LHers are gone.
    Canario needs ABs in Iowa and not bench time in MLB.
    With Seiya out for a while Wisdom is safe unless his SOs are just overwhelmingly bad.

    My real issue with the lineup isn't Madrigal. I'm not a fan, but I've given up on that one.
    It's Tauchman getting a large number of ABs as the de factor DH and everyday player.
    I didn't realize that was going to be the case.
    We need a better LH DH. PCA or ONKC need to force the issue in about a month.
    But, even if they do so, Jed doesn't have to change anything if the Cubs stay a few over .500!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally depends on the team and the player involved. If your team’s philosophy is to pay huge dollars to bet on the future performance of past stars in order to win championships then, yes, all of the factors you mentioned are important.

    If on the other hand, if the team’s primary focus is to identify and develop future stars in an effort to win a championship, and you’re a young player looking to establish yourself as a star, that’s a fit too. Otherwise your buried within your own organization.

    Your comment about bringing up Canario for the purposes of sitting him illustrates perfectly the dangers of rewarding a non-performing, highly paid player over a hungry young prospect, like Canario, who is perpetually without a roster spot except as an insurance call up, but too good to trade. Totally disincentivizing the performance of the prospect and likely diminishing it.

    Sticking it to your prospects and providing lousy baseball to your fans, the consumers and source of revenue for your sport, solely so that the next free agent gamble finds your team to be a comfortable landing spot even if he sucks? I suppose  that makes sense to some teams but it’s definitely not the way I want to see my team run.

    Once again, DJL, our differences in philosophy emerge!

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