Cubs MLB Roster

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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

Cubs Select Kyle Schwarber

Submitted by Rob G. on

So the big 3 pitchers went to the first 3 picks - Aiken to Astros, Kolek to Marlins and Rodon slips to White Sox. That left the Cubs in the position to do pretty much whatever they want. The reality is that after the first 3 picks, there was no obvious #4, or 5 or 6 or 7. Some guys really liked Nick Gordon and Alex Jackson, but they're projectable high schoolers and if they were sure things, let's face it, they'd be going top 3. No one passes a sure thing bat for pitching unless it's Strasburg coming out for the draft and that's what the 3 teams just did ahead of the Cubs.

So the Cubs had their pick of the rest of the bunch and they ended up taking the player they "claim" to be #2 on their draft board in C/OF/1B Kyle Schwarber (#1 was Aiken). Draft junkies aren't buying that, but hell with them. If baseball teams ran their teams by mock drafts and twitter they should all get fired. Here's what we know about Schwarber and that is that he can rake...a left-handed hitter with a good power/patience profile. College stats don't mean much, but they're as ridiculous as you expect. Now is the bat just good enough for a catcher or is it good enough to play the outfield or first base? Well that's the question because there are very few that believe that Schwarber will stay behind the plate and he doesn't seem to be the physical specimen that would make much of an outfielder although being a catcher and all, he should at least have a solid arm out there.

McLeod talked up his bat, calling him the surest bet in the draft, someone who does all the things the Cub want from a hitter in terms of controlling the strike zone, hitting for power and hitting for average and said his make-up is off the charts which has been a reoccuring theme with their other 2 top picks (Almora and Bryant). Added bonus is that the Cubs will likely save a little on this pick once Schwarber signs and that'll give them a chance to get a little higher upside arm in some of the lower rounds.

Tags
Cubs 2014 Draft

Comments

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:23 pm

speaking of leaps, Brewers took Kodi Medeiros at #12, Callis and BA had him as a late first rounder

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:25 pm

when they put in the DH after the next CBA, Cubs will be looking good with Schwarber and Vogelbach :)

Submitted by Old and Blue on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:29 pm

Kind of a meh pick, but it was a meh draft. Ahh, Cubbery. Nobody does it better.

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:30 pm

KKKKKKK-not Well, if my math is right he only struck out less than 12% of the time this year in 228AB's. No way he fits the team profile with that much of a low percentage of K's. I don't know - solid college players have way more success than high school draftees, according to James. And, everyday ones move to the top of that list when compared to college arms. This team still has zero #1 pitchers in the entire system and I really was hoping they would get a big college arm regardless of picking 4th.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:31 pm

@ESPNChiCubs

McLeod, after talking with Schwarber before the draft, etc. : “We expect him to sign really quickly.”

Call him up :)

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:36 pm

Keith Law scouting report on Schwarber

Schwarber may have the most raw power of any prospect in the class, showing plus-plus power to right field thanks to tremendous lower body strength and strong wrists. He transfers his weight well and has the type of raw power that could produce 30-plus homer seasons if he's able to play every day. He shows good feel at the plate, and a willingness to work pitches and get on base via walk, but doesn't have elite bat speed and there's a lot of swing-and-miss in his bat as well.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:37 pm

Padres take Trea Turner at #13, Tyler Beede goes #14 to Giants. Leaves Erick Fedde left as guys the Cubs may have had any interest in..

[ ]

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:46 pm

Hmmm...seeing the Giants taking Beede? Very surprised our former Vandy pitching director couldn't convince TheoJed to draft Beede. Not like the Giants have had shitty home-grown pitchers over the last 10 years or anything... Beede right now may have been the #1 pitching prospect in the Cubs system - or maybe 1-B. Cubs are so goddamn pitching prospect poor. But, catching too I suppose. Wonder what those MLB draft war-rooms are like.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:50 pm

it is highly likely LF or 1st is his future...though he'll probably get a chance to catch to start his career. it's not just his slight bulk that's the issue, it's his overall skills behind the plate. unfortunately, he's also a rather slow runner. that said, he's supposed to be a "nick swisher" type as a supposed ceiling...

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:10 pm

Another thing really gets me - that has been discussed here frequently - is that "Competitive Balance" pick. How the fuck did MLB let this happen? What a joke. It should just be called the "Yankees Retribution" pick. So, in essence, the teams with money cannot spend more than "slot" - yet at the same time they get penalized b/c they are in a "larger" market?! Just bullshit to allow the Cardinals to win more Pennants and World Series. Fuckers...

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:17 pm

#21 pick is Bradley Zimmer, OF from U of San Francisco, Cubs selected him in Round 23 of 2011 draft.

Submitted by Carlito on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:35 pm

I like our draft pick! Captain happy is still an asshat. That's all for now.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 06:05 pm

RHP Jake Stinnett, senior from Maryland is 2nd pick, they usually sign for under slot. 

College seniors have done well with the new Draft rules as teams try to find ways to strategically use their bonus pools. Stinnett has the chance to be the first senior to come off the board in 2014. Originally a two-way player who played third base for the Terrapins, Stinnett started focusing on pitching only as a junior in 2013. He's really taken off this season, showing a jump in velocity up into the mid 90s with plenty of sink. His slider has greatly improved, flashing as a plus pitch. His changeup is behind the other two, but he has shown some feel for it. The focus on pitching has helped his command, and he's able to pitch to both sides of the plate. There is some effort to his delivery, but not enough to make a team think he can't start. College seniors typically are value picks, but Stinnett has the chance to go in the early rounds based on his size and stuff alone.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 06:50 am

i was hoping they'd go for nola...that said it's a decent pick with the only major possible flaw being that he's probably a LF/1st type. the cubs have 1st locked up to the end of the decade and LF posibilities are starting to look a bit crowded unless bryant can manage to stick at 3rd (and olt doesn't develop enough bat to stay there). schwa will probably get a chance to catch out of the gate in the minors, but his D/skills there aren't praised much. either way, quality youth bats can always be traded if there's a logjam.

Submitted by Sonicwind75 on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 06:44 am

Even after reading all the lipstick applied to this pig of a pick, I feel underwhelmed. Kyle Schwarber is the reward for watching an atrocious 2013 season of baseball. Repeat to myself: "Trust in the plan, trust in the plan, TheoJed know what they're doing."

[ ]

Submitted by Rob Richardson on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 06:53 am

Well if Jason McLeod, director of scouting, is right and Schwarber is the "best hitter -- hands down -- in this year's draft" I am happy to kiss that pig. On another note, do people think the Cubs will begin to sign bigger name free agents this off season?

Submitted by billybucks on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 06:54 am

Made my first trip to Wrigley last night -- by far, the most popular jersey worn was....good old #23. A few Rizzos and Castros, but not an Eli Whiteside in the bunch. Contrast that to a Hawks or Bears game, where most (or at least a lot of) people are wearing the jerseys of current players (ex. Walter, perhaps), and you get a sense of the fan connection to the current team. I must say, though -- I am liking the young bullpen.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: I think there was an issue with Luke Little coming into a game with men on base. He seems to need a "clean" inning to be dominant. So he is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AAA. Same goes for Michael Arias. He needs to come into a "clean" inning, and is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AA. Porter Hodge is a more versatile pitcher, a better version of Keegan Thompson (multi-inning RP). But Little, Arias, and Hodge (probably in that order) are the Cubs top three RP prospects (all three are Cubs Top 15 prospects).

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    So, let’s do a little war gaming. Taillon is back for tonight’s game. He pitched two rehab games, just a few innings each, and not especially sharp. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been lights out since the Cubs gave him the big contract. In other words, as flat out bad as Hendricks has been, the chances of Taillon being the savior don’t look exactly promising.

    If Taillon is equally ineffective or perhaps even worse, what’s the next move? Winning teams can often find a way to work around a dud fifth starter - kinda. Two dud starters make things much more difficult.

    I believe the biggest reason for the recent bullpen moves was dissatisfaction with the recent blowing of big leads and the recognition that the bullpen wasn’t all it was thought to be. In other words, they are exploring alternate options and configurations. If similar juggling becomes necessary (even more so than it already is), what kind of reasonable maneuvering do we think could be explored?

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Cubdom needs to prepare themselves for Wicks to be sent to Iowa for Taillon to come up.
    Ben Brown has 4 appearances. Wicks has 4 appearances.
    Ben has 16.1 IP.  Wicks has 17 IP
    Ben was a 1.1 WHIP.  Wicks has a 1.7 WHIP. Wicks does have significantly more SOs. 
    Ben has been better, though.
    I love Wicks. I think he's a fighter and his stuff has improved.
    But, Jed isn't ditching Hendricks just yet. He should. But he won't.
    Hendricks should go to the IL and Taillon-Imanaga-Assad-Wicks-Brown should be the rotation.
    Wont' happen though.

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