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

Cubs & Snakes Split a Pair at Riverview Park

Rony Rodriguez and Eloy Jimenez belted back-to-back RBI doubles, Ricardo Marcano followed with an RBI single, and Tyler Alamo capped the inning with a two-run home run over the LF fence, as the Cubs plated five runs in the 5th en route to a 7-3 victory over the Diamondbacks on Field #5, and Cesar Carrasco doubled twice and reached base on an error and scored three runs, and Dane McFarland and Sergio Alcantara laced two RBI singles a piece to drive-in a combined four runs, as the D'backs defeated the Cubs 5-1 on Field #6, in a Cactus League Extended Spring Training split-squad doubleheader played this morning at the Under Armour Performance Center at Riverview Park in Mesa, AZ.  

SS Elliot Soto (serving a 50-game Drug of Abuse suspension) collected three hits (all three hits were singles) and scored a run in the game on Field #5.

Four Cub pitchers on Field #5 combined to strike out 14 Diamondbacks.

The game on Field #6 was called after eight innings.  

RHP Dallas Beeler got the start on Field #5, and he labored through 2.2 IP (41 pitches - 31 strikes), allowing two runs on five hits (including three doubles and a triple). He did strike out four, however, and did not issue any walks. Beeler has been battling a "dead arm" since Spring Training, and with a couple of exceptions, has not been able to get his fastball velocity over 89 MPH. 

RHRP Kyuji Fujikawa saw his first game action since undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery (TJS) last May. The veteran closer started the game on Field #6, and was only able to retire one batter (F-8) before leaving the game in the middle of an AB (3-2 count) on the fourth hitter he faced. (He allowed a single and surrendered a walk to the other two hitters). Fujikawa called the trainer, the pitching coach, and his translator out to the mound after his 18th pitch of the inning (a wild pitch), and then after a short discussion, he left the game.   

17-year old SS Gleyber Torres had a bad game defensively on Field #6, committing three errors. He muffed two ground balls and dropped a pop fly in shallow CF, the three errors resulting in three unearned runs eventually scoring.  

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

FIELD #5:

CUBS SQUAD "B" LINEUP:
1. Rashad Crawford, CF: 0-2 (BB, 4-3, P-6, BB, R, CS)
2. Elliot Soto, SS: 3-4 (1B, 1B, 1B, K, R)
3. Rony Rodriguez, RF: 1-4 (F-8, F-7, 2B, F-9, R, RBI)
4. Eloy Jimenez, DH: 1-2 (F-9 SF, K, 2B, BB, R, 2 RBI)
5. Ricardo Marcano, LF: 1-4 (F-8, 3-1, 1B, K, R, RBI)
6. Tyler Alamo, C: 1-3 (HBP, 1-3, HR, 6-3, 2 R, 2 RBI)
7. Varonex Cuevas, 3B: 1-2 (BB, BB, F-8, 1B, CS)
8. Mark Malave, 1B: 1-4 (K, F-8, 1B, 5-4 FC)
9. Dalfis Ortiz, 2B: 1-4 (1B, 4-3, 6-4 FC, K, RBI, 2 PO)

CUBS SQUAD "B" PITCHERS:
1. Dallas Beeler: 2.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 41 pitches (31 strikes)
NOTE: Beeler's first inning was stopped with two outs and a runner at 3rd base
2. David Garner: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, 1/1 GO/FO, 27 pitches (17 strikes)
3. Jasvir Rakkar: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 28 pitches (23 strikes)
4. Michael Wagner: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 0/4 GO/FO, 24 pitches (15 strikes)

SQUAD "B" ERRORS: NONE

SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Tyler Alamo: 1-4 CS, 1 PB

FIELD #6:

CUBS SQUAD "A" LINEUP:
1. Charcer Burks, LF: 1-3 (1B, F-8, BB, L-8 DP, SB)
2. Kevin Brown, DH: 1-3 (F-7, BB, 3-U, 1B, R)
3. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 2-4 (K, 1B, L-3, 1B)
4. Justin Marra, C: 0-4 (K, F-8, K, 4-6-3 DP)
5. Arnaldo  Calero, RF: 0-3 (5-3, K, BB, 1-3)
6. Gleyber Torres, SS: 0-2 (3-1, 4-3, BB)
7. Zak Blair, 2B: 0-3 (K, 4-3, 4-3)
8. Jesse Hodges, 3B: 1-3 (K, P-6, 1B)
9. Roney Alcala, 1B: 1-3 (K, 1B, K)

SQUAD "A" PITCHERS:
1. Kyuji Fujikawa: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 0/1 GO/FO, 18 pitches (11 strikes)  
2. Erick Leal: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HBP, 1 GIDP, 5/2 GO/FO, 41 pitches (22 strikes)
3. Trey Lang: 2.0 IP. 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 2/2 GO/FO, 26 pitches (17 strikes)
4. Corbin Hoffner: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 5/1 GO/FO, 41 pitches (27 strikes)
NOTE: Hoffner's third inning was stopped with two outs and a runner at 3rd base

SQUAD "A" ERRORS: 3  
1. SS Gleyber Torres - E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely - eventually scored unearned run)
2. SS Gleyber Torres - E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)
3. SS Gleyber Torres - E-6 (dropped pop fly allowed batter to reach base safely and unearned run to score)  

SQUAD "A" CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Justin Marra: 0-1 CS

SQUAD "A" OUTFIELD ASSISTS:
RF Arnaldo Calero - threw out batter 9-6 trying to stretch a single into a double

ATTENDANCE: 21

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 80's


Comments

AzPhil I'm curious how you feel Gleyber compares, off of what little you've seen so far, to Carlos Penalver and Marco Hernandez, first, at the same stages in their careers (in Arizona, XST), and second in general. I've read/seen all the reports, just curious about your gut feeling so far. (it's possible you answered this in a comment before, if so, sorry).

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

TOONSTER: When Marco Hernandez first arrived at Fitch Park (Instructs 2010) as an 18-year old he had good range at SS, but he threw sidearm (sort of the "sidearm sling" second-basemen use) and so his throws would sometimes bounce to 1st. He also was a switch-hitter back then, and he just could not hit with any authority RH. But then he changed his arm slot and stopped switch-hitting, and his two main problems disappeared overnight and he had an outstanding 2011 season with the AZL Cubs.  

Carlos Penalver has plus-range, plus-arm, and plus-speed (all three superior to Hernandez) and I think he will eventually be a better hitter and base-runner than Hernandez, too. He does have a tendency to play "too fast," however, and that's when he makes mistakes (as he did in Minor League Camp this year). He's kind of like a point guard who sometimes tries to make the low-percentage pass or a defensive back who gambles for an interception but ends up getting burned and giving up an easy score.   

I saw Gleyber Torres at Instructs last year (when he was 16) and he struggled offensively, but you could see his superior athleticism defensively in infield drills (where you can gauge a player's range, arm strength, and sure-handedness). The key of couse is to play the same way in games as you do in infield practice (some guys can't), and up until yesterday Torres was not only capable of making the impossible WTF? play, but he also played with a steadiness and poise you don't see very often in a 17-year old.

I still like Penalver best, but only because he has advanced to Lo-A without missing a beat, and Torres is only at Extended Spring Training. But I also think Torres has the highest celing and could eventually surpass Penalver. 

 

cj edwards - 5ip 5h 1bb 7k, 3 r/er (80 pitches) dustin geiger (AA, 1st) hit his 4th HR on the year...bryant 1-4 with a double A (kane) and AAA rained out.

Sometimes as a Cubs fan I forget how bad it really is. I tend to think it's not so bad, that all those years of mediocrity is just that. Mere mediocrity. Then reality hits me on the head when I read an article like the NYT link today in the twitter feed. "In the 68 seasons since, the team has finished above .500 only 19 times.". That's not mediocrity. It's pure, unfiltered shit. I've been a Cubs fan for a long time, and sometimes people rightly get annoyed when I complain about what I see as a slow pace with TheoCorp, but this is why: "In the 68 seasons since, the team has finished above .500 only 19 times." The last two seasons? More shit. I see promise with the kids, but I look around the majors and I see a lot of teams with prospects that are as good. So, yeah, a third season of shit is not gonna make me happy. I don't want to hear about how Castro and Rizzo are "looking better". I want the team to win. I'm sick of giving up on the season in May year after year.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

We all knew rebuilding would be painful, but it has to happen, mostly because of the shitstorm Hendry left behind. The guy should have been axed on Ricketts first day as owner. Yes, there are a lot of good prospects around the league, but for the first time in a long time, the Cubs organization actually has a number of good prospects. Not just "Cub good", but actually good. Good organizations aren't built in one year, it takes time. In summary- come down off the ledge. That said, I do think it is unacceptable for the Chicago Cubs to have the 8th lowest payroll in baseball. That's including a lot of money still being paid to Soriano.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

"it is unacceptable for the Chicago Cubs to have the 8th lowest payroll" A team committed to a serious rebuild should spend less money, not more, in order not to fill positions with veteran free agents who are slightly on the plus side of mediocre. Olt is having enough trouble displacing a guy making $1.7 million. Would you prefer that the team won more games but Lake and Olt were in Iowa? There just aren't enough bullets now, but the slots are there for the taking in the outfield and middle infield and the competition will be fierce among the obvious prospects and the more serendipitous ones like Olt and Lake. O&B is mixing mediocrity with shittiness. Shittiness is often temporary, while mediocrity tends to go on and on.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

"O&B is mixing mediocrity with shittiness. " I'm not mixing them up at all. The Cubs have had both, in abundance. They've never had greatness. Just shittiness, mediocrity, and shitty mediocrity. When Theo changes that, and I'm at least thinking there's a 50% chance he will, I'll be the first to praise him. He has stuff going against him (see comments on ownership by others) that aren 't going to help him at all. We shall see. I'm a Cubs fan and their history justifies my skepticism. It has nothing to do with Theo, really.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

setting up for 5 seasons in a row of getting top-tier draft picks (2011-2015 draft classes) along with the recent slew of trading away the roster + signing then trading almost everyone they get on 1-2 year contracts goes a long way in collecting youth. it'd be hard to not screw that up. the downside is sitting through this many years of trash, though...especially considering the 2010 season preceding all of this was a crap season, too. 2007 and 2008 seem so far away. that was fun...until the LDS.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

I think they have been investing in the organization and minor league system. I posted a week back, in a drunken rage, when Theo came on the scouts didn't know what excl was and there were feral cats roaming the scout office. (only one is a joke) I believe why you see the influx of kids because someone with a clue is in there now and not basing players on their looks or how their girlfriend is. That being said I will be disappointed if they spend on some pitching this offseason.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

One thing that is always overlooked when complaining about Cub mediocrity is ownership. Without good ownership, a team will languish. The Cub's ownership history is indicative of the won-loss record posted by Cubs' teams over the past many decades. Mr. Wrigley was not an owner that wanted to spend too much to procure or develop players to win consistently. This was no secret. The Tribune Company was most happy with bottom-dollar profits - Harry Carey being the best acquisition they ever made. Again, this was no secret. The worst owner also was the least tenured, Sam Zell. He is the current culprit of the wreckage currently seen at Wrigley Field. He instructed Hendry to sign players at top dollar (or beyond) to create a quick fix at the ML level, while staving player development all to enhance his desire to flip the Cubs at the best price. Then, as a poison pill, he saddles the Ricketts with unnecessary structured debt to close the deal all for his fat wallet, unrepentant to the long-term costs to Ricketts' ownership and success. For all the belly-aching we fans lament about players and management, the real "suck" for Cubs fans is the history of ownership. Although the jury is still out on Ricketts ownership, I see a different level of commitment from this group. I have suffered decades of being a Cubs fan (why didn't mom move to Hawaii when she had a chance before I was born) and I am hardened to the current dread that plays 9 innings everyday for 6 months and calls it major league. I will be patient and wait for another "plan" to unfold. In those many years of disappoint, there has not been a management team like the current. I don't think success will happen until our core "kids" have played 2-3 years at Wrigley. But, I do believe success will come, with or without the kids. Jed/Theo/Jason will find away to turn the Cubs into consistent winners. If it doesn't happen, I will most likely have passed on like the rest of the cub hopefuls.

[ ]

In reply to by videographer

It's hard to get a real gauge on this ownership. They seem committed in many ways, and it's not really sensible to complain about their lack of making an impact in an insane free agent market. The real test is wins and losses for me as a fan. So far, that hasn't gone well at all under this ownership.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

I may not be as Old or Blue as Old & Blue (maybe approaching this)...but I marvel at the Tampa Rays. They don't spend - except wisely, have an incredible scouting and development machine - and a fucking smart MLB Manager - and when they sucked, they sucked ass for long enough to make their draft choices really count. However, much of their foundation building came before the latest CBA. It is plainly obvious (and we have been discussing such here for a couple years) Theo did not know the double shit-storms he got himself into of the finances, and bereft farm system. It seems as if this front office is infinitely more prepared to build a strong organization than at anytime I can remember since Dallas Green. But the Cubs are SO far the Cardinals (for over 50 years, in fact) that I just don't know how much of a dent they are going to make in the years to come. In the short term - I just am not as optimistic as I once was. All told - it is just such a fucking mess...

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.