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

Maholm Shoots Blanks at Friars

Paul Maholm and three relievers combined to toss a six-hit shutout, as a split squad oif Cubs blanked the San Diego Padres 2-0 this afternoon in Cactus League action at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park in sunny Mesa, AZ

Maholm threw five innings of shutout ball (70 pitches - 40 strikes, 6/2 GO/FO), allowing no runs on four hits and two walks, with six strikeouts.

Carlos Marmol followed Maholm to the mound, and labored through his one inning of work, throwing 22 pitches while allowing a walk and a single, but no runs. Something still does not look right with Marmol.

Casey Coleman continued to pitch well in Cactus League games, tossing two shutout innings of one hit ball. It looks like Coleman could make the Cubs Opening Day MLB 25-man roster as a RH middle-reliever or as the "12th man" (long reliever/spot starter). 

RHP Rafael Dolis notched the save with a scoreles 9th, although two runners did reach base with two outs, one on a strike three wild pitch, and another on a walk, before Dolis induced a game-ending 4-3 ground out. Although there has been talk about Dolis beginning the season in the big leagues as one of the Cubs set-up men, it might be best to let him close at AAA Iowa for a while and work on improving his command.         

There wasn't much offense on display at HoHoKam Park today, but the Cubs did push across a run in the 1st and then another run in the 2nd against Padres starter Tim Stauffer.

Starlin Castro singled with two outs in the 1st, and after stealing 2nd, scored on a Bryan LaHair two-out RBI double off the fence in right-centerfield, and Reed Johnson knocked-in the second Cub run on a two-out RBI ground single ripped through through the box into CF, scoring Jeff Baker, who led-off the inning with a screaming double into left-center. 

What really stood out today, however, was the Cub outfield defense.

Tony Campana hustled to field a bloop hit down the LF line in the top of the 5th, and after a 360-spin, uncorked a perfect throw to 2nd base to nail Will Venable trying stretch the hit into a double, Reed Johnson followed Campana's play with a fine running catch on a line drive to end the 5th, and Daytina CF Matt Szczur (up from Minor League Camp for the day) made tte defensive play of the afternoon, a diving catch of a line-drive in right-center for the first-out in the top of the 9th. 

While one squad of Cubs was blanking the Padres in Mesa, the other squad traveled up to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick to play the Arizona Diamondbacks, losing 3-2. 

I wasn't at that game, but D'backs starter Ian Kennedy threw seven innings of one-run ball, the only Cub run scoring on back-to-back doubles by Blake DeWitt and Ian Stewart in the top of the 7th.

Iowa Cubs RHP Jay Jackson got the start at Salt River Fields, and allowed all three of the Arizona runs on seven hits (including three doubles and a Paul Goldschmidt HR) and one walk over his four innings of work.

This was the last Cubs split squad day of the 2012 Cactus League season, so it would seem likely that the final roster cuts will be forthcoming soon.   

  

 

 

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

saw him last week at LAX getting thrown out of a Chilis...rodman, that is. he ordered a beer, sat down, a manager came out of the back and told him he's not allowed in the restaurant (i guess he's had run-ins before)...he picked up his beer (still in glass), said "fuck this." and walked out with glass-in-hand into the airport commons. he was dropping off and holding a "day bag" for mellissa rivers (joan's daughter). rodman walking out with a beer in a glass in one hand and a purse-thing overflowing with scarves out of the other. woo LA.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Yup, I saw an article on the Trib's site today about how he is broke and sick (I guess not too sick to swill a beer, tho) and therefore, can't pay his child support, for which he owes about 800k. He's the poster child for kids who think they can do whatever they want when they find some success, especially in sports. I get the sense his fuse is just about fizzled out.

Buster Olney mentioned that a number of teams, including D-Backs and Phillies, are looking for catching right now. I wonder how strong a market for Soto would be right now. Also, Castillo is clearly not "polished" at this point, but if thrust into action, I wonder if people think he could be "ready," by which I mean at least passable.

[ ]

In reply to by DavidP

I could see Blanco. He's always been compared to the Molina brothers, more Yadier due to their ages being closer. I tend to think he could be a mix between Bengie and Jose. Actually, I could see him as a Wilson Ramos type, or Rod Barajas. I guess, I'm not really agreeing or disagreeing. He has the skillset to be a starting backstop, but if he can't hit for a positionally-passable average, yeah, that could "doom" him as a starter. I tend to think he'll float around the .230-.260 range, given a full allotment of AB's, so IF he provides solid defense and power, I think he could start, akin to how some of the above guys can start.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

well, to be fair, Castillo isn't likely to hit for a high average. That said, the flip side is, if he can provide power, a passable average for the position, and be solid behind the plate, well ... there are plenty of starting catchers that don't offer that. I'm also in the camp that believes that at some point, Soto should be moved because the chances of Geovany being a key part of our next core is ... quite minimal. I doubt we'd get a huge return right now, though, so I'm thinking that mid-season, if Soto is having a good year, might make more sense, particularly if teams have injuries (of course, this is premised on the idea that Soto stays healthy and is having a good year.

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

If a catcher that hits between 230 and 260 with some power and passable defense, then Soto is a much better option. At about 29 years of age, if he is too old to be a part of the next core, you have an awful pessimistic view of the new management. If we can get a great deal for Soto, then we should trade him, just as we should trade Castro if we can get a great deal for him. We should trade ANYONE if we can get more in return than we give up. But trading Soto now because we think he is going to decline in the next year or two doesn't seem very realistic to me. By the way, if I were to guess, I think that Clevenger would make a better starting catcher than Castillo over the next 5 years or so. Other than his arm, which is extremely strong, Castillo isn't an exceptional defensive catcher, from what I have seen and heard of him.

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

That is pretty much what I remember ArizonaPhil as saying. And I have great respect for Phil and his reporting is probably the best I have ever seen in providing information about unknown young Cub prospects that have not been seen or heard of in the baseball community in general and Cub fans in particular. But there ARE other sources, as well as stats over the course of Castillo's career, and I have personally seen him play a fair amount of time. It is my opinion that Castillo will not provide enough contact at the plate to be an every day catcher, just as Blanco did not. As far as Clevenger is concerned, that is probably a result of my own personal prejudices. I value contact and OBA more highly than many fans, and I think that Clevenger will provide more of what the new administration seems to value. He has a good eye at the plate. He takes pitchers deep into the account. He doesn't strike out a lot, and has a relatively high walk rate, resulting in a pretty good OBA that I think will translate well into the majors. Time will tell.

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

Tue, 03/27/2012 - 12:42pm — Jace I am just parroting things that i have seen AZ Phil write in the past, but he generally described Clevenger as a MLB-backup type that was probably ready for duty. Castillo was described as someone who needed more work, but who could absolutely displace Soto when ready. I don't know if his views of this have changed... ==================================== JACE: Yes. That was my opinion, and it still is my opinion. Keep in mind that unless he is signed to a contract extension, Geovany Soto is eligible to be a free-agent post-2013, and that Welington Castillo needs regular playing time but has only one minor league option left. So I believe the best thing the Cubs can do is keep Steve Clevenger as the back-up catcher in Chicago (and he can also play 1B & 3B), send W. Castillo to Iowa and let him be the #1 guy there, and then make a decision about trading Soto either at the July trade deadline or next off-sesson.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

Soto has two years of low average, and two years of average higher than I think Castillo will ever reach. And in spite of two pretty terrible years, Soto still has an OBA higher than most of the catchers the Cubs have had in years. I don't think that Castillo will approach an offensive career as good as Soto has had up til now, and in my opinion, Soto is likely to do better if he learns to control his weight.

[ ]

In reply to by DavidP

Soto is clearly the better offensive player. Batting average, yeah it's one stat ... but Castillo has an OPS of 875 as a 24-y-o in his first year at Iowa; Soto had a 723 OPS as a 23-y-o at Iowa for the first time, then broke through with a 1062 OPS as a 24-y-o. Both men tend to see their averages rise and fall with BABIP, but Soto on average will hit for a higher average than Castillo ever will. But what I've read tends to have Castillo long-term as a better defensive catcher. His arm, from what AZ says, is for real. He has enough power potential to be a threat. He's just entering the prime of his career. And his service clock is under 0.1 right now. So what's Soto worth? You and I don't know. But this came up because Olney wrote that there's a strong demand in the market for catchers right now. At $4M, most teams can afford Soto - and if not, then the Cubs can afford to eat a couple million. What would he bring back? Like I said, no way for you and I to know for sure. What if it's a couple of near-ready prospects? What about Tyler Skaggs? What does an extra $4M buy next offseason - a quality RP? So yes, you'd clearly step backwards at C in the short term. But in the long term, you get a guy who many project to be a MLB starter in the position; you get more money to spend other places; and if you get another guy or two back who also project to help in 2013 and beyond, then it's probably a good deal. Batting average be damned.

[ ]

In reply to by DavidP

i honestly expect soto to be gone by july...clevenger deserves to be a backup, but that's pretty much his ceiling. at best he profiles as light hitting catcher. welly at least has starter qualities. even if welly hits .250/.330 avg/ob% he should be able to smack a good number of doubles with 15+ homers bringing up the end of the lineup...and that's a rather average expectation out of him. with his arm and pop he should be more than passable as a starter even if it's not all-star caliber.

[ ]

In reply to by DavidP

well, first off, for me, a leads to b. That is, I don't think he's going to be a part of the next core, and as such, i think trading him earlier (again, I haven't suggested trading him now, i said midseason in another post above), when we could get more in return, makes more sense. So let's start with a. I've said elsewhere, but I think, realistically, 2014 is the earliest that we can hope that our next window (that is, period of years where we are competitive for playoff spots) could open. There's no harm in wishful thinking on 2013, but with a young group of guys likely to be manning key positions (hopefully), it just seems unrealistic, even if we go on a free agent splurge. So, in 2014, Soto will be at the end of his prime years while our new window is opening up. If I'm, not mistaken, 2014 will also be at the end of his team-controlled years. so a) It would seem debatable as to whether or not that this current regime would give him that long term deal. Varitek was kept around as much for his leadership as his ability. I'm not sure Soto is viewed in that manner. b) The chances, and note, I did say chance, are high that Soto will likely see some decline in his 30's. So, even if he is around in his mid-30's there is a good chance that Soto will be more of a secondary asset than a part of the core. It's possible Soto bucks the norm and is some sort of non-performance enhancing player that excels in his mid-30's. I'd bet against it. So, for me, I'm thinking like this - a) We keep a guy who, at best, will have a year or two in our window where he is in the tail end of his prime years. b) We trade him (not haphazardly, but only if a good trade comes along) for assets that will have a greater chance of being a key part of our next core. And for me, I lean to the latter. _____ As for Clevenger, I've long noted elsewhere that I have a level of irrational interest in him. I like him quite a bit, and I've never been as high on Castillo (when Tampa came calling for a catcher, I preferred keeping Chirinos around, but he's another guy who is on the same level as these two). Having seen both play, I tend to think both (and Chirinos) are borderline starter-types if things go well, but quite possibly, stopgap starters who eventually get replaced. I'm not sold yet that Clevenger will hit for a significantly high enough average against big league pitching to compensate for his deficiencies power wise and defensively (he's a steady eddie behind the plate, but ... well ... Ryan Theriot was a steady eddie ... obviously different positions/different dynamics, but the point is, Clevenger will be steady defensively, but to expect more is probably questionable). Castillo has the arm, and he has the athletic ability to be better behind the plate (and he's improved from 2 years ago).

j.mather playing 3rd again...seems they're taking b.dewitt out of the 3rd-backup situation and not considering j.baker, either.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

You know, I don't think Theo has to worry about payroll dollars. However, if Mather could produce essentially what DeWitt and/or Baker will playing for the minimum (or close to it), I wouldn't hesitate to make that move as well. Have over half the roster playing for auto-renewal, and spend your major money to keep key home-grown talent (Castro, etc.) and fill in FA's.

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

That's always been my take on it. If you can fill out half the positions on the field with pretty decent/solid players at pre-FA rates that's a huge win. Lock up Castro and other significant up and comers with Tampa Bay type deals buying out the ARB years and 2-3 FA years and then repeat. I have lots of confidence in Theo to get this to happen. That's when you can go out and spend big on a FA or two to fill in the holes.

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.