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, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* 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
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

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





Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

A's Scratch Zych for Winning Run in 9th

Yordy Cabrera hit Tony Zych’s first pitch over the LF fence for what turned-out to be the game-winning run, as the Oakland A’s rallied from a five-run deficit to edge the Cubs 8-7 in Cactus League action at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park in warm & cloudy Mesa, AZ, this afternoon.

Ryan Dempster got the start for the Cubs and threw two innings (34 pitches – 23 strikes), allowing one run on two hits (a single and a triple), no walks and two strikeouts, and 2/2 GO/FO.

Trailing veteran RHP Bartolo Colon 1-0 going into the bottom of the 2nd, the Cubs took the lead on a Blake DeWitt two-out three-run HR over the RF fence following singles by Jeff Baker and Steve Clevenger.

DeWitt was outrighted to AAA last month after the Cubs claimed IF-OF Adrian Cardenas off waivers from Oakland, and (interestingly enough) DeWitt is battling Cardenas for what is probably one roster spot (LH hitting utility INF). Cardenas is younger and more athletic, but DeWitt is the more-experienced hitter, and he has been absolutely raking since he arrived in Mesa a couple of weeks ago. It looks as though he might have taken the outright assignment (and not getting claimed off waivers) as a personal affront, that he has chosen to address by battering opposition pitchers.

Leading 3-1, the Cubs scored three more times in the 4th against A’s RH reliever Jordan Norberto.

Jeff Baker led-off with a double into the RF corner, and Reed Johnson reached base on an error (a bobble by first-baseman Brandon Allen), moving Baker to 3rd. Steve Clevenger hit a sac fly to left-center to score Baker, and then after Blake DeWitt walked, Josh Vitters rifled an RBI double into the left-center gap to score Johnson, with DeWitt stopping at 3rd and the slow-footed Vitters barely beating the throw to 2nd. Tony Campana worked a walk to load the bases, and then Darwin Barney blooped an RBI single in front of A’s RF Josh Reddick, scoring DeWitt, and leaving the bases loaded, with the #3 and #4 hitters due up. But both Starlin Castro and Bryan LaHair fanned (swinging), as the Cubs left the bases loaded.

Meanwhile, LHP Scott Maine (battling Trever Miller, John Gaub, and Jeff Beliveau for the #2 lefty reliever gig) threw a scoreless 3rd (albeit allowing hits to two left-handed hitters), and Blake Parker and Casey Weathers (both vying for the RH middle reliever job) had clean & easy 1-2-3 innings in the 4th and 5th.

But then the A’s began to chip away at the Cubs lead, scoring four times in the 6th on three hits (two singles and a Landon Powell two-run RBI double) and two walks off NRI RHP Marco Carrillo.

A likely rotation starter or closer for Team Mexico in next year’s World Baseball Classic, the 25-year old Carrillo has spent seven seasons in the Cubs organization (2012 is his 8th year), but has yet to establish himself at the AAA Level. He was a Rule 55 Minor League Free-Agent (6YFA) post-2011, but opted to re-sign with the Cubs, getting an NRI to Spring Training as part of the deal. Should he ever make it to the big leagues (which is doubtful), he would profile as a “12th man”-type, a versatile long-reliever/spot starter. The A’s battered him pretty good today. Even the outs were hard hit balls.

With Carrillo getting knocked-out before he could retire the side, veteran RHRP (and one-time Rockies closer) Manny Corpas got the call, striking out Josh Horton to end the inning.

Corpas seemed to be throwing free & easy, but his command was off, and he was constantly changing his arm angle, going back & forth between 3/4 and sidearm. It wasn’t as deceptive as he probably hoped it would be, because Corpas got himself into trouble in the 7th, allowing hard-hit doubles to Eric Sogard and Brandon Moss, and an RBI single to A’s top position-player prospect Michael Choice.

Corpas spent last season rehabbing from post-2010 Tommy John Surgery, but he managed to score a major league contract from the Cubs this past December. He was subsequently outrighted to the minors when his roster slot was needed in January, but he got an NRI to Spring Training anyway.

Now down 7-6, the Cubs came back to tie the score at seven in the bottom of the 7th against A's RHP Fabio Castro.

With two outs, Joe Mather grounded a single to left and stole a base, and after Matt Szczur walked, veteran minor leaguer Blake Lalli (invited to big league camp as one of the extra catchers) lined an RBI single into left-center to score Mather with the tying run.

Signed in May 2006 as a Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) 5th year college senior out of Gardner-Webb, the 28-year old Lalli is your basic “Crash” Davis. He spent the last four seasons as a back-up C-1B at AA Tennessee, and he very well could end up there again this season. He is a career .303 hitter, but he also has below-average power and below-average speed, and he is a below-average defensive catcher, too. Eligible to be a Rule 55 Minor League free-agent (6YFA) post-2012, Lalli could be a candidate to serve as a player-coach at Tennessee in 2012, since he doesn’t really profile as a big league prospect. (The Cubs like to have one or two veteran player-coaches posted at each of their minor league affiliates each season, mentoring the younger players, learning the coaching side of the game, and being available to be activated for short periods when a position player is placed on the 7-day DL).

RHP Kevin Rhoderick (called up from Minor League Camp at Fitch Park for the day) threw a 1-2-3 8th, fanning one (swinging) and inducing a couple of routine fly outs. Rhoderick was the Cubs 9th round draft pick out of Oregon State in 2010 where he was one of the top closers in the PAC-12, and he made his official pro debut last season (he pitched “unofficially” at Instructs post-2010), finishing the 2011 campaign at AA Tennessee. He is only 5’11, and he has a violent delivery that gives one the impression that he is over-throwing, but with his plus-slider & 94-MPH fastball combo, he is an effective one-inning pitcher, and is considered a definite big league relief prospect. He will probably be the closer at Tennessee in 2012.

The other Cubs MLB relief prospect up from Minor League Camp (2011 4th round pick RHP Tony Zych) got the ball in the 9th, and gave up the aforementioned game-winning HR on his very first pitch, which actually was his first pro pitch (if you don't count his work at Instructs post-2011). The 21-year old Chicago Area-native (he attended St. Rita HS) was the closer at the U. of Louisville 2009-11, and while he throws harder (95-97 MPH) than either Kevin Rhoderick or Aaron Kurcz (the third of the Cubs RH relief prospect triumvirate), he doesn’t have the breaking ball to go with the heat (yet). Zych will likely start the 2012 as the closer at either Daytona or Peoria (TBD).

The top Cub defensive gem of the day was turned-in by SS Starlin Castro, who went deep into the hole to backhand a bouncer, and then with a Nijinsky-like leap (a la Don Kessinger), threw a rainbow right on the money to 1st to retire the batter. (Of course it helped that the batter-runner was “Two-Ton” Landon Powell, who makes Dan Vogelbach look like an anorexic).

The Cubs take on the Colorado Rockies at HoHoKam Park tomorrow afternoon. Matt Garza is supposed to get the start for the Cubs.

Comments

Thanks a bunch PHIL. You know, I have been reading your stuff for a long time. However, the Landon Powell line is one of your true gems. The vision I get from this is hysterical! Thanks for a great laugh!

Fowler, Pachecho, Cuddyer, R. Hernandez, Blake, B. Wood, Colvin, Nelson, Castillo vs. DeJesus (9), Byrd (8), DeWitt (4), Soriano (0), Stewart (5), Lake (6), Rizzo (3), W. Castillo (2), B. Jackson (7)

Sweet 16 Schedule (1) Beliveau over (12) McNutt (2) Coleman over (14) Rusin (12) Wells over (9) Samardzija (3) Maholm over(15) Sveum (9) Cardenas over (4) Lalli (3) W. Castillo over (10) Clevenger (5) Castro over (1) Mather (2) DeJesus over (3) Baker Elite 8 is set (1) Beliveau vs. (2) Coleman (3) Maholm vs. (12) Wells (3) W. Castillo vs. (9) A. Cardenas (2) DeJesus vs. (5) Castro

DeJesus walked, but got thrown out stealing to leadoff bottom of 1st HBP against Blake, double off the center field wall for Brandon Wood, RBI groundout by Colvin, short fly to LF that didn't score the run from third, opposite field single by Wilken Castillo scores the 2nd run

another scoreless inning for Coleman leadoff BB for B. Jackson, 4-6-3 DP by DeJesus, Byrd K's

J. Russell gives up a HR to Fowler, then b-2-b sharply hit singles, 6-4-3 DP by R. Hernandez, C. Blake grounds out DeWitt single, Soriano HR, Ian Stewart BB, Lake doubles, Rizzo RBI groundout, Castillo RBI, Jackson K's, Sappelt flies out off Zach Putnam

Chris Rusin in gives up at triple to Colvin who ends up scoring Infield single by Adduci, I think Cardenas hit into a DP, Vitters walks & steals 2B, E. Gonzalez K's 9-4 and I'm done for the day.

#Cubs Sveum on B-Jackson: "He's either going to make the team and play everyday or he's going to Triple-A." (Looks at roster) AAA it is.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

maybe theocorp+byrd can make CLE interested...i wouldn't mind seeing BJax in AAA most of the year given the experimental/reclamation projects going on in with the cubs, though. i dunno anyone else semi-competitive/competitive who needs a guy who could handle CF. CLE has m.brantley, too.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    booooooooooo

    also, wisdom and taillon are both in chicago.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Tonight’s game postponed. Split games on Saturday.

  • crunch (view)

    cubs getting crazy good at not having player moves leak.

    taillon we 100% know is pitching tonight.  who he's replacing and any additional moves are unknown as far as i can tell.

    p.wisdom was not in today's lineup in iowa (rained out) and he was removed from the game last night mid-game, but not for injury.  good bet he's with the team in the bigs, too.

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.