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

Joey Martarano Reports to Extended Spring Training, Pierce Johnson Gets Rocked

First-baseman Joey Martarano has reported to Cubs Extended Spring Training, after spending the 2014-15 school year attending Boise State University.

Martarano was the Idaho High School Baseball Player of the Year at Fruitland HS in his senior year, and was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft (Rule 4 Draft). He was offered a $100K bonus by the Phils but did not sign, instead opting to enroll at Boise State and play football.

The 20-year old 6'4 235 Martarano is a linebacker on the Broncos football team, and he is a promising football player. (He had his best game when it really mattered most, in Boise State's 38-30 victory over the University of Arizona in last January's Fiesta Bowl).

Because Boise State does not have a baseball program, Martarano was the rare "Freshman eligible" in the MLB 2014 First-Year Player Draft, and the Cubs took him in the 22nd round. The Cubs convinced him to sign by offering him a chance to play pro baseball during summer vacation (as sort of a "summer job"), with no restrictions on attending college and playing football the rest of the year.

Although he was drafted as a third-baseman, the Cubs immediately moved him to 1st base when he reported to Riverview Park last July, and it looks like 1st base is where he will stay. He spent one month with the AZL Cubs in Mesa last year after signing, but got into only six games before going back to school. (He hadn't played baseball in more than a year, so it took him a while to get back into shape). He will likely spend the months of June and July playing baseball in the Cubs organization this year (probably with the AZL Cubs again), before going back to Boise for pre-season football camp in August.

It's unfortunate for Maratano that the Cubs moved their Northwest League affiliate from Boise to Eugene this year, because otherwise he might have had a chance to play minor league baseball in his college's hometown.

It wasn't a Cactus League Extended Spring Training game, but the Cubs did play an EXST intrasquad gane this morning on Field #6 at Riverview Park. Joey Martarano did not play in the game (he's taking BP and participating in fielding practice and baseruning drills while he gets into "baseball shape"), but the tilt did feature the first game action since Spring Training for RHP Pierce Johnson (on AA Tennessee 7-day DL with a lat strain).

And Johnson got rocked, too, allowing nine hits (six singles, two doubles, and a triple) and three runs in just 2.1  IP (44 pitches). His fastball was sitting at only 90-91 MPH and topped out at 92, although his breaking ball had some nice bite. He didn't register any strike outs, and if it wasn't for two timely pick-offs, his line surely would have been much worse.
  
While Pierce Johnson was getting hammered, LHP Carson Sands (Cubs 2014 4th round draft pick - North Florida Christian HS - Tallahassee, FL) was throwing 4.2 IP of shutout ball. 

Significant offensive contributions were provided by Jose Paniagua (two doubles), Danny Gutierrez (a solo home run, a single, and a stolen base), Carlos Sepulveda (a triple, a single, and a run scored), Ricardo Marcano (single, double, and a run scored), and Varonex Cuevas (two-run single and a stolen base).

Here is the abridged box score from today's EXST Cubs intrasquad game: 

CUBS SQUAD "A" LINEUP
1. Kevonte Mitchell, CF: 2-5 (1-3, 1B, K, F-9, 1B, CS)
2. Andruw Monasterio, SS: 1-4 (1B, K, F-8, BB, F-9, SB)
3. Jose Paniagua, 1B: 2-4 (F-7, 2B, 2B, F-9)
4. Kevin Encarnacion, DH: 1-4 (1B, F-8, 5-3, 4-3, SB)
5. Adonis Paula, 3B: 0-3 (BB, F-7, 5-3, L-5) 
6. Erick Castillo, C: 0-4 (6-4 FC, F-8, 4-3, 5-3)
7. Carlos Jimenez, 2B: 1-4 (2B, 5-3, F-9, P-4, R)
8. Jenner Emeterio, RF: 0-3 (BB, K, F-8, F-9, R, SB) 
9. Calvin Graves, LF: 2-3 (1-3 SH, F-8, 2B, 1B) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" LINEUP:
1. Roberto Caro, RF: 1-3 (4-3, 1B, K, PO)
2. Robert Garcia, CF: 0-3 (3-1, 4-3, K)
3. Carlos Sepulveda, 2B: 2-3 (1B, 3B, 1-3, R, CS)
4. Yohan Matos, C: 2-3 (1B, 1B, K, R, RBI)
5. Ricardo Marcano, DH #1: 2-3 (1B, 2B, 4-3, R)
6. Ho-Young Son,  SS: 1-3 (1B, 5-U FC, F-9, PO) 
7. Varonex Cuevas, 3B: 1-3 (1B, 1-3, 2-U, 2 RBI, SB) 
8. Roney Alcala, 1B: 1-3 (F-8, K, 1B)
9. Danny Gutierrez, LF: 2-3 (1B, HR, 6-4-3 DP, R, RBI, SB)
10. Jhonny Pereda, DH #2: 0-2 (4-3, 5-3)

CUBS SQUAD "A" PITCHERS:
1. Jesus Castillo: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 18 pitches (12 strikes)
2. Pierce Johnson: 2.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 2 PO, 4/1 GO/FO, 44 pitches (29 strikes)
3. Andin Diaz: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 1 GIDP, 5/1 GO/FO,  39 pitches (28 strikes) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" PITCHERS
1. Jesus Camargo: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 3 WP, 4/5 GO/FO, 61 pitches (40 strikes) 
2. Carson Sands: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 5/9 GO/FO, 62 pitches (39 strikes) 

CUBS SQUAD "A" ERRORS: NONE 

CUBS SQUAD "B" ERRORS: 1
C Yohan Matos: E-2 (overthrow at 3rd base on WP allowed runner to score)  

CUBS SQUAD "A" CATCHERS DEFENSE
Erick Castillo: 1-3 CS 

CUBS SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE
Yohan Matos: 1-4 CS, 1 E (see above) 

WEATHER: Mostly sunny with temperatures in the 90's 

ATTENDANCE: 3 

Comments

Len and JD defined "A Maddux"...a complete game pitched in under 100 pitches. Hendricks was close at 108.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Does he have two different changeups? It looks like he has a Maddux-style circle change and what looks like a straight change which has a lot of downward break to it. I'm wondering because you see some REALLY awkward swings on that straight change off the outside corner. Edit: On second thought, it might just be a slow slider.

The nice thing is we've been winning games despite Soler and Castro in a slump and Rizzo slumping the past week. If we can get all three going at the same time could be very nice indeed.

‏@CubWin 6 minutes ago Addison Russell and Kris Bryant are the first pair of Cubs rookie infielders to homer in the same game since 1974.

‏@JamesSmyth621 1 hour ago Last night in San Diego, Kyle Hendricks threw the 20,000th complete game shutout in major league history (since 1876)

Hey all, I've been an avid reader for years and just created a profile. I have been closely following the Cubs prospects for over 25 years now and greatly appreciate AZPhil's contributions and all the commenters on this site. Thanks for having me.

Phil, where in the world is Wladimir Galindo? He seems to have disappeared from recaps in late April, and isn't listed on the VSL roster. Can you shed any light?

[ ]

In reply to by Cicero Grimes

CICERO G: Wladimir Galindo is injured, but I don't know the nature of the injury. He was taking fielding practice (only) but not batting practice for a couple of days last week, and now he's not even taking fielding practice. 

Also, Miguel Rico (3B-1B who is being converted to catcher) suffered a left knee injury and is not able to participate in field activity. I don't know the severity of the injury, but he has been out for a few days now. 

And RHP Tanner Griggs has still not returned to the mound after suffering a groin injury in an intrasquad game the first week of Extended Spring Training. 

So in relation to the FIP tweet (Cubs above Cardinals? Insane) $155 million pitcher Jon Lester now has a perfectly respectable FIP of 3.39. Wonder if that will get tweeted. Arrieta, btw, is 3rd in baseball with a 2.20 FIP.

lake in LF batting 6th...rest is business as usual. the current king of crapballers (opinion) goes for ARZ tonight with his 86mph fastball...so soler should have a fun night trying to pick up something off collmenter's cutters, changeups, and occasional curveball.

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.