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

Soler Back in Action at Salt River Fields

Oliver Zapata ripped a two-run triple and an RBI single, Adonis Paula singled, doubled, and scored two runs, Rashad Crawford reached base on a double, a walk, and an HBP, and scored three runs, and Trevor Clifton and Hector Perez threw three shutout innings a piece, leading the Cubs to an 8-4 victory over the Diamondbacks on Jackrabbit Field, and Ryan Kinsella belted an RBI double and an RBI triple, helping the D'backs rally from a five-run deficit to edge the Cubs 7-6 on Whirlwind Field, in Cactus League Extended Spring Training split-squad doubleheader action this morning at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Resort east of Scottsdale, AZ.

Gleyber Torres collected three hits, stole a base, and scored two runs in a losing cause for Squad "A" on Whirlwind Field.
Jorge Soler saw his first game action in almost a month, serving as a DH for Squad "A." He had five Plate Appearances and went 1-4, driving-in two runs with an RBI single and a sacrifice fly, He also reached base on an error, grounded out 5-3, and struck out swinging.

Joel Pineiro got the start for Squad "A" and pitched five innings (60 pitches), surrendering four runs (two earned) on six hits (four singles, a double, and a triple), while allowing no walks and striking out seven. 

THE PITCHING LINES FROM JOEL PINEIRO'S FOUR EXST OUTINGS
4/12 - 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 8/0 GO/FO, 64 pitches (48 strikes)
4/17 - 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1 PO, 7/2 GO/FO, 66 pitches (43 strikes)
4/22 - 4.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R (7 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 3/3 GO/FO, 76 pitches (51 strikes)
4/28 - 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 7 K, 1 WP, 4/4 GO/FO, 60 pitches (45 strikes)  
TOTAL: 17.2 IP, 22 H, 15 R (13 ER), 4 BB, 16 K, 3 WP, 22/9 GO/FO, 74% strikes, 6.62 ERA, 1.53 WHIP
 
Today was Diamondbacks "Field Trip Day" at Salt River Fields for Maricopa County school children, hence the slightly larger-than normal attendance at the games. I guess it's never too early to get kids interested in Extended Spring Training. 

Here are the abridged box scores from the two games (Cubs players only):   

WHIRLWIND FIELD:

CUBS SQUAD "A" LINEUP:
1. Gleyber Torres, SS: 3-5 (1B, 1B, 6-3, 1B, 6-3, 2 R, SB, CS)
2a. Kevin Brown: LF: 1-2 (HBP, 1B, K, BB, R)
2b. Zak Blair, PH-DH: 1-1 (1B)
3. Jorge Soler, DH #1: 1-4 (F-8 SF, 1B, 5-3, E-1, K, R, 2 RBI)
4a. Tyler Alamo, C: 0-1 (K, BB, R)
4b. Jeffrey Baez, PH-RF: 0-3 (K, L-6, P-4)
5. Varonex Cuevas: 2B: 0-3 (K, BB, 4-3, F-8, R, RBI)
6. Arnaldo Calero, RF-DH-LF: 0-3 (K, BB, K, F-9, RBI)
7. Roney Alcala, 1B: 1-4 (1B, K, 4-3, K)
8. Jesse Hodges, 3B: 1-3 (K, 1B, 3-1, HBP, 2 RBI)
9. Charcer Burks, CF: 0-4 (K, K, L-8, F-8)
10a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST THREE TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
10b. Justin Marra, C: 0-1 (K)

CUBS SQUAD "A" PITCHERS:
1. Joel Pineiro: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 7 K, 1 WP, 4/4 GO/FO, 60 pitches (45 strikes)
2. Trey Lang: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, 1 GIDP, 4/0 GO/FO, 37 pitches (16 strikes)
3. Alberto Diaz: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 13 pitches (7 strikes)
4. Yomar Morel: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 16 pitches (7 strikes)

CUBS SQUAD "A" ERRORS: 1
3B Jesse Hodges - E-5 (two-base throwing error allowed batter to reach second base safely - eventually scored unearned run)

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

JACKRABBIT FIELD:

CUBS SQUAD "B" LINEUP:
1. Rashad Crawford, CF: 1-3 (HBP, BB, K+WP, K, 2B, 3 R, SB)
2. Oliver Zapata, LF: 2-4 (F-9, 3B, K, BB, 1B, 3 RBI)
3. Shamil Ubiera, DH: 0-4 (F-9 SF, 6-3, 3-U, 5-4 FC, 4-3, RBI, SB)
4. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 0-5 (K, 5-3, F-9, E-6, K)
5. Adonis Paula, 3B: 2-5 (1B, 2B, F-8,. K, F-8, 2 R)
6. Elliot Soto, SS: 0-3 (BB, 6-3, P-5, BB, F-9, R)
7. Matt Scioscia, 1B: 1-3 (BB, 6-3, 1B, K)
8. Mark Malave, C: 1-4 (6-4 FC, K, 4-6 FC, 1B, R, RBI)
9. Dalfis Ortiz, 2B: 1-4 (F-8, 1B, 6-4 FC, 6-3 DP, R)

CUBS SQUAD "B" PITCHERS:
1. Trevor Clifton: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 2/3 GO/FO, 43 pitches (28 strikes)   
2. Hector Perez: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 3/4 GO/FO, 41 pitches (26 strikes)
3. Victor Salazar: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 1 K,  0/1 GO/FO, 31 pitches (15 strikes)
4. Carlos Llano: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 28 pitches (19 strikes)

CUBS SQUAD "B" ERRORS: NONE

ATTENDANCE: 3,147

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

Comments

Corey Black goes 6 IP, 5 K, 1 BB, 1 ER, 3 H for the win.

Blackburn goes 5 IP (6 inning game for some reason), 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

get the player they feel is the best, too many variables in baseball to try and ever draft for need.

I think I like Aiken and Rodon but we'll know more when the draft gets closer, seems everyone has Kolek going to the Marlins. Hoffmann and Beede I could understand the hesitation. And Rodon has some issues as well that could be worrisome especially with his pitch counts. You can find a lot of upside arms in rounds 2-10 and get enough depth in the system you can start trading for the Archie Bradley's of the world.

Here are EXST updates on the Cubs top two international signings from 2013: 

In 12 Cactus League EXST games (44 PA), 17-year old RF Eloy Jimenez is hitting 175/227/225. He has 10 K in his 44 PA. Although he only has seven hits (five singles and two doubles), he has made the hits count as he leads the team in RBI with seven. Jimenez had a sore arm at Minor League Camp and so he could only DH for several weeks, but he is now back playing RF again. As long as he does not go into a prolonged "0-fer" slump, Jimenez probably stands a decent chance to remain in Mesa and play for the AZL Cubs this summer.

In 11 Cactus League EXST games (41 PA), 17-year old SS Gleyber Torres is hitting 342/390/500, with 3 SB (2 CS). He is second on the team in BAvg (behind only Roney Alcala), leads the team in triples, and has not struck out over his last 26 PA. He has committed five errors (including one three-error game). Because he has played as well as he has and because there is no other SS blocking him, I would say Torres (right now) has a good chance to make the Boise Opening Day roster.

A couple of other noteworthy EXST performance among the position players:

2013 VSL Batting Champion 1B Roney Alcala is hitting 433/452/667 for the EXST Cubs, and besides leading the team in BAvg he also leads the team in doubles with five (plus one triple) in just 31 PA. Since there is no other 1B blocking him, I would say the 20-year old Alcala also stands a very good chance to "jump" over AZL Cubs and go directly to Boise.

And 20-year old OF Jeffrey Baez (who played at AZL Cubs last season) is hitting 314/400/372 over 40 PA, and leads the team in walks with five and in stolen bases with ten (0 CS) in just ten games. Baez is built like an NFL linebacker, but he has plus-speed (like Brian Uhrlacher had as a young player). Baez plays both RF and CF (he has a RF arm and the speed and range to play CF). Although he did not show HR power last season in the AZL (he hit only one) and although he has yet to homer in a Cactus League EXST game this season, Baez did tie for the team lead in HR at EXST last season with four.     

Just read the mlb.com article about Villanueva returning to the rotation, and I like the guy more. He comes off as very forthcoming and doesn't rely too much on cliches--he seems clear-sighted. I'm still not a fan of his mustache, though.

7:30 EST first pitch...tarp off the field for a while...players warming up, etc. iowa postponed, btw.

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.