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

Randy Wells' Monty Python act.

Oh Randy Wells.
You can't do this any more, brother...

Gordon Whittenmyer tweeted, "Wells takes a no-hitter into fourth inning of what could be his last start. Dempster (quad) back Thurs."
And then the next tweet says, "...Never mind."
What happened?
Wells was sailing along, and then suddenly in the 4th he gave up a double to Hunter Pence, a walk to Thome, a groundout, a stolen base, a walk to Nix, a single to Ruiz, a pop out, a walk to pitcher Joe Blanton, and then a double to Jimmy Rollins.
Two doubles, a single, and 4 runs - all in one inning.
Oh, and 3 walks.
Silly. 
Made me think of the Ministry of Silly Walks by Monty Python. 
I am unclear on how to post a video here, but if you're too young to remember just google it.

Anyway, Cubs lose 2-5 to the Philadelphia Phillies.
If Wells does indeed go back to Iowa, hopefully he can work on those silly walks.
Get that fixed, it'll be good for the Cubs whether he remains one or not. 

Comments

Campana a with an infield single past the mound, en Fuego. and a stolen base on a pitch out. Scores on a fielders choice off Castro's bat. Did I mention the legend is growing?

Campana steals 2b easily despite a pitch out after reaching on an infield single and scores on an infield single when Galvis goes home for no reason. Neat. Cubs hold on it'll be 5 of 8

5-0 on a LaHair double (3-4 today) and a Baker single, would have had another run but Castro was out trying to steal second. Nice to see the base running stay aggressive.

Did you guys catch the Welly assist on the put out at 2nd via a WP? Very impressive. Campana at least makes it entertaining for me when he gets on base. What a fast MF.

Edgar Gonzalez released from Iowa, possibly going to Japan Somebody gets to move up... Will be interesting to see who. I-Cubs postponed again at Nashville

brandon inge to the A's...from the team that brought you "josh donaldson playing 3rd" and other hit(less) comedies.

A week ago, this team was one of the worst in baseball. Now, they're just one of the worst in the National League! #babybears #babysteps #winning

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

To me actually the interesting thing is the bullpen has blown what, 3 or 4 games? We might possibly have a winning record but for that. Most of that is Kerry Wood and Marmol too I think. James Russel, Michael Bowden, Rafael Dolis and Scott Maine are all pitching well.

In my opinion the only way it makes sense to keep Garza is if the Cubs think they can make a run next year or 2014. If so I wonder what moves could possibly make the Cubs a contender in that timeframe? Otherwise he will be past his prime when cubs are peaking. And he'll be expensive. The other option is to trade him. NOW, or by deadline 2012 latest. If so anyone know who a likely suitor is? Might the Orioles decide they want to take their great start seriously? Do they have any trade chips? What about Detroit, Yankees, or dare I say Angels? Or the BoSox (we'd need to take some salary from them). Or maybe a mega-blockbuster with GARZA and LAHair or Starlin (hell y never know - for the right payoff?). Gotta move Garza to make this plan work, that's all I know. He does us no good now if our real goal is a WS in 2015-2016 which is the soonest any sane person could hope to have this team ready. Theo is here for a gameplan and the fastest way to the top is to trade Garza as soon as possible for 2 or 3 serious prospects and maybe take a bad contract off someone's hands as a sweetener..

[ ]

In reply to by superjimmer

I've watched the 'trade Garza' chatter all off-season. For a while I was excited about getting 2-3 of a team's best prospects, but since then I've changed my mind and decided you have to keep Garza. Here's why: 1. It's hard to get a very good pitcher on your team. You have massive leverage with Garza in that you are the only team able to negotiate with him for the rest of this year and next year. To get a FA to sign is no guarantee, even if you're willing to pay up. You've got this guy. He's good - dare I say, he's an ace, so why trade him? 2. All the prospect excitement is a little overdone. I would keep a sure thing like Garza over 3-4 lottery tickets. Let's face it, most prospects are lottery tickets in some way. Take Brett Jackson, all around good player but nobody's certain he's going to limit his strikeouts enough to be effective. Any pitching prospect faces significant injury risk. Look at who got traded for these guys: Cliff Lee to Philly: Carlos Corrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson, Jason Knapp Cliff Lee to Seattle: JC Ramirez, Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Gillies Roy Halladay: Travis DArnaud, Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor CC Sabathia: Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson The point is these prospects are no sure thing. 3. If Garza is traded, you have to replace him. Dempster is a FA after this season, let's assume he doesn't come back. The in house options to rounding out the rotation are not encouraging. Here's your 2013 rotation without Garza or a replacement FA: Samardzija, Maholm, Volstad, R Wells, T Wood, Coleman (6th) Minor League Possibilities: Jay Jackson, Rod Lopez, Chris Rusin, Trey McNutt, Dae Eun Rhee, Nick Struck You need Garza and a guy like Cole Hamels to compete. Maybe you wait a year to get the #2 pitcher if you don't think 2013 will be competitive, but you don't let Garza go away and not replace him or add more to him. 4. The Cubs have the money. As crunch has said, they have lots of payroll coming off the books and will have money to spend. They don't have to blow their wad on some 30 year old with a ten year contract, but they will certainly have the money to extend Garza and do plenty more.

[ ]

In reply to by Jumbo

But none of this addresses my argument that no matter how awesome he is now or even the next two years, he will be expensive when we need him AND past his prime. Why would we not roll the dice on 2-3 lottery picks in this situation? To me it has nothing to do with how good he is, it's how good will he be in 2015? And for how much money? He'll want multi-year of course . . . and he'll deserve it cause he's a great dude too!

[ ]

In reply to by superjimmer

I guess it depends on two things: 1. What you think Cubs could get for Garza. Not a teams top three prospects. Maybe a couple top 15 and a couple throw ins. Who knows though? 2. If you think the team will go with the remaining in house/mid-bottom tier rotation options for all of 2013 and 2014. I highly doubt that they would. I think next year the team will contend for at least a wild card.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

Huh? You joking? Health concerns are part of investing in a pitcher like Garza. I hope you are joking. Did you see the amount of elite and newly acquired pitchers who have already gone down this year on the Yankees and BoSox alone? Also that article posted on a previous thread (about the trending carppiness of 1 inning relief pitchers) which estimates 40% of starters will blow out their arms etc. Deal high, get prospects. They are ready when we're ready. Or keep elite pitcher on shit team. Don't stock farm system. Stay shitty. Hope he stays healthy his whole career, and pay him big money on the dark side of age 30. I'd rather slappa tha baassss

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Actually I WISH what I am arguing for was fucking controversial and deserved this andy kaufmanesque thread. So four blind mice so far. Wo's next? It's a formidable crew: big lowitzki, dust Baylor, crunch, and jumbo pile on the superjimmer. Sounds like a very poor pro wrestling tournament. I think they would be smart to trade garza now, I think he's useless to us now and we won't be good before he is expensive and getting older. I think it would be in the cubs' FO stated mission to trade him and I'd bet they will. And I like the cubs FO, and direction. And I hope they trade him. What's the problem here?

[ ]

In reply to by Jumbo

Banned for what, exactly? What's with the witch hunting over here, Jumbo. I've been on this list since at least 2004, get off my ass. Should I be banned for giving a crap about the cubs, passionately arguing they are doing the right thing, trying to argue my case to a few thugs who don't understand what a metaphor is, and ultimately having crunch (of all people) play cop and back off with a couple jokes. Get on with your life for f$cks sake.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

ok Dusty. Enjoy life in the perfection lane. I was JOKING in some respect, and defending myself in another respect. for one if mike c is a visionary then I will move to Canada because I HATE his politics and inappropriate use of his politics here. For another I wasn't responding to you personally, but it sure feels like three or four dudes hanging back after a concert to kick someone's ass. So yeah. Read the responses . . . Are you frickin' kidding me - who's taking things too seriously? Does anyone here have the ear of theo and jed? do they express opinions? I am just saying I think they will do it . . . what the fuck do I know? Quote me some shit that says I have their ear. Or are you just parroting crunch's personality attack? If there is ANYONE on this list that is an easy attack of personality it is crunch and I try and succeed not to do so. So just chill the fuck out.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

Keep pushing it there Tito. I am just arguing a position if you re-read it all. So saying "Watch and Learn" is the new equivalent of telling Rob G/Moderator to Fuck Off? Jesus you guys are too much. I am not sure what you guys are getting out of this but have at it. I am just a passionate Cubs fan who actually likes what they are doing and thinks they should trade garza. I also tend to be extremely dry humoured in real life and perhaps that is coming accross wrong here. But the fact that two of you have veered into suggesting I get banned, when in general I don't attack personalities except vaguely, groups to get people off my ass, call the moderator an asshole, and actually first and foremost am driven by the desire to see the Cubs win? Nice. I present opinion and can be repetitive and passionate. But you don't find me sitting in wait to rip people a new arsehole when they believe in something. I am more the person who states his case. Feels like a lynching to me. I'll be the first one banned for saying "watch and learn". excellent use of your energies.

[ ]

In reply to by superjimmer

Yep...Cliff Lee...Roy Halladay...Tim Hudson...all sucked after age 31. 31 is generally considered the tipping point in a pitcher's career. Wait. Oh it's not..that's right. If he was 34 is 2015, I would buy that argument. 31? C'mon. Theo may, or may not deal Garza..we'll touch base about that then. But the whole "past his prime" argument is silly. Theo will deal his ass...lol...sounds like when we talk about trading Soriano.

[ ]

In reply to by superjimmer

Pfft... Whatever. They'll do, whatever they do. they still have to field a team until this mythical time of Shangri-la when they'll be competetive. Let Dempster go after this year, and trade Garza for a couple of prospects. Next year's rotation of Samardzija, Maholm, Volstad, Wells, and Whothafuck will be nausea inducing to say the least....bullpen shredding at worst. Ask the Yankees how trading for young pitching works out. That's a crap shoot too. I am for keeping Garza. But it's not like I'm going to boycott the Cubs if they trade him.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Not really cult like. I just like what they've done - so I'm naturally supportive. I think its a mega waste to have him on this shit team. Period. It's sound thinking and totally logical to me. And they aren't going to magically be good next year when they are counting on Rizzo and the boys - who will need a couple years in MLB before kicking ass. Everyone here can slappa da bass mon, far as I care. ;) if anything I am impatient to be good and know it can't be done without stocking up more talent. And for the record, Theo/Jed have been on record as saying they aren't and never have been shopping him. So I am not worshipping at their altar at all. But I'm not like you eey-oring ever move they make like they are town idiots. I just see a clear path and strategy, and if you are counting on kids like Rizzo Jackson Welington and others . . . They ain't going to be ready before Garza starts needing big dough and being on the downward end of his career potential. What possible good can Garza do us with this craptastic roster? I'm not here for entertainment after all these years. I want the straightest path to the WS...

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.