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

The Cub Reporter Adds a Reporter

Effective immediately, Joe Aiello of "View From The Bleachers" is joining us here at TCR. Joe started his blog back in October of '03--the "Dark Time"--and over the years he turned VFTB into one of the true stalwart Cub blogs.

We're thrilled to have him.

Comments

As I've been reporting, switch hitter Milton Bradley remains the Cubs' No. 1 target for the outfield, Cubs people re-confirmed with me today. Bradley led the AL in OPS at .999 this year. The Cubs tell me they're not worried at all about Bradley's mercurial behavior. They like the fact that he might be able to light a fire or two in a laid-back clubhouse.

is that 3/44, the part about the Cubs liking that he could kick some ass in the clubhouse?

I'm still quite sick, hope to be back writing sooner rather than later....

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Out of curiosity, what are your symptoms? I had a dry cough for a few days about a month ago, and then suddenly it plunged into my chest and became a persistent wet, hacking cough. That and extreme fatigue were mostly the only symptoms, though there has been some occasional stuffiness and feverish feelings. I wish I could tell you how long it lasts, but over a month later I'm still waiting for it to end.

[ ]

In reply to by Brick

started with a bad cough, sore throat, horrible headaches and that achy/fatigue feeling...thought I kicked it pretty quick, but it came back with a vengence over the weekend. The Christmas party on Thursday and the red wine probably didn't help matters. Now I'm hacking up all kinds of stuff and still have the horrible headaches. The achy/fatigue feeling comes and goes now...

my rather hectic schedule and general disregard for making time to go to the doctor probably don't help...

I also recommend you get on some antibiotics though if you're fighting one for a month.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

This could also be the influenza virus. Respiratory flus are out there. The achy/fatigue feeling and headaches could be fever related. Recommended actionable items from Dr. Whipple: 1) Go to a doctor and get a blood test for bacterial infection. If positive get on antibiotics. Don't get on antibiotics without the test unless absolutely necessary or you'll be partially to blame for the upcoming plague. 2) Slow down! Take a day or two off of work. Don't pull a Jim Henson. You're much less productive dead. 3) Have some chicken soup. It's good for you. 4) Take your temperature and take ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen ("and" if your fever doesn't break with just one after 8 hours). A rectal thermometer isn't necessary. Chad swears by them. There's no reason to walk around with a fever even if it's only from a cold if you don't have to. You're just making yourself and everyone who you complain to miserable (I keed!). 5) Drink plenty of fluids. Don't drink any solids. Feel better!

Looks like the Hawaii fall league is toast. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/ Writer says a second, lower-level Arizona fall league will be announced shortly. As someone who drives long distances for minor league games, major league games, spring training, etc., even I can't picture myself going all the way to Hawaii and wanting to watch a baseball game.

The Padres should have gotten rid of Giles when they had the chance. He might be a bit distracted this year given that he is now being sued for $10 million by an ex-girlfriend who alleges that he battered her while she was pregnant and caused her to have a miscarriage. Cheri Olivera's lawsuit accuses Giles of hitting and slapping her in the face, shaking and kicking her, and battering her twice when she was pregnant with his child.

Greetings, Joe. Are you going to adopt a Cub-themed nickname, e.g. Cubman or Cubist? Or perhaps reader The Joe can further distinguish himself. The Joe, if you have trouble, I'm sure Ryno will be glad to provide a striking-if-somewhat-fatalistic Radiohead lyric by which you can call yourself. I think Rob's building an army. The showdown between TCR and BCB seems inevitable.

Funny S-T quote: "The Cubs just signed a guy who's so fast, he already has run past Felix Pie on the outfield depth chart and looks like he's about to run Pie right out of the organization."

Welcome Joe. Hope you give us less 3/44 stuff than you did on the other blog. (I keed) Actually, you should have ROB G clue you in on what "3/44" means - if he hasn't yet. It is trademarked to TCR.

Welcome Joe, Trans will learn you the ways of gay witchcraft. RobG will show you how to handle Chad AZ Phil will show you all the good Chinese restaurants. (Hi Calos!)

Welcome, Joe. And a very, very good addition, TCR! Rob is the Aslan of the Cub blogging world, building an army to re-take what is rightfully his. He already had his centaur in AZ Phil and his beaver in Transmission. (something like that, the analogy breaks down because I can't think of a Tumnus.)

Hi. You shall go by "Other Joe" from now on. I hope that is cool. [EDIT] Sorry Andrew, didn't read your post. Maybe one of us will have to change their name. Hmm, I'll have to compile a list of possibilities.

No worries, The Joe (see that just sounds weird - things have been complicated). I'm sick as well and was thinking back on past additions to the TCR writers cabal. Who was that guy that came on with another writer at the same time, and then never contributed or visited the site once? A few months later, he was booted. Anyone remember that?

[ ]

In reply to by Andrew

I think there were 2 such instances if I recall...

when mostvaluablenetwork.com bought out Ruz and all-baseball.com, you guys got stuck with me and there was another writer there named George Kryoudis (sp?) that came with...he maybe posted 1 or 2 articles.

then when all-baseball.com disappeared and we all moved to mvn.com, or what I like to refer to as the Dark Times, they once again threw the current Cubs writer at mostvaluablenetwork into the mix, Graham something or other...I don't believe he ever wrote an article.

one more thing Joe...here's the TCR pink backpack. Team orthopods just don't look good in pink. Carlos will let you know what cyber goodies can be carried in it. Last time I looked I think Johan's Mom was inside.

Gathright fever (from Wikipedia, soon to be a Wiklifield entry): Viral illness producing strong urge to jump over a car, in Cub fans though when they get this illness, they can't jump high enough and get run over.

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.