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 Player to Be Named Later Might be Named Cash

It was hinted at when the rumors first popped up, but the story from Spencer Fordin at MLB.com confirms that the player to be named later in the Rich Hill deal will be contingent on his performance.

That future return will be tied to how Hill performs as an Oriole, and in some potential circumstances, it could even be a cash transaction. 

Fangraphs takes a look at the trade as well, although I have issues with the suggestion that Hill should just throw more change-ups and "diversify his repertoire". If it was that simple, he would have already been doing it. Anyone that has followed him knows that his change-up and cutter are very poor offerings that he has trouble controlling and more importantly for the pitcher, believing that he can get it by a hitter.

Comments

We have some guys like Hill in our system too, guys we've gotten from other clubs in trades and guys like Ryan Harvey that have big holes in their swings. Guys that looked like "can't miss" prospects who missed. My sense is that Hill will perform poorly in spring training - when his performance is bad enough to clear waviers he will be sent down and play a couple more years in minor league ball. I'm surprised that Corey Patterson isn't already on that career path.

from Rotoworld: "We haven't set a deadline yet," GM Ned Colletti said "These situations can change in an instant." Meanwhile, we imagine that Manny is wondering why a GM that gave Jason Schmidt and his damaged shoulder a three-year deal and Juan Pierre a five-year contract is being so strict about going short-term with him. Colletti reportedly spent months in the burn unit at Cedar Sinai after each of those deals. In fact there are plaques over several of the beds: 3/44, 5/50.

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In reply to by allinginge

I was there at the very beginning last year waiting in the virtual waiting room and was there for a couple of hours. At that point a lot of weekend games were sold out. I wasn't picky last year so it didn't matter for me, but if you need a particular game you might be chancing it. If you do get them online though, yes, you can just print the tickets out right on your computer at home. I know last year many reported on here that they got tired of waiting online and called instead and got right through, so that might be an option.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

"I know last year many reported on here that they got tired of waiting online and called instead and got right through, so that might be an option." Yea, I waited online for about 3 hours and decided to call while waiting. Picked up after about 5 minutes on hold and bought some tickets (then again it was for an early April game) but still was able to speak with the representative no problem. That'd be the best best I'd figure.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Kinda bums me out, although it doesn't surprise me. I watched Bonds quite a bit while I lived in SF. I don't want to dredge up the argument about how bat speed and the ability to take a pitch can't be affected by steroids. Everyone has made up their minds about that argument. Plus, everybody hates Bonds. I don't. I enjoyed the fuck out of watching him build PacBell Park (now called Some Telecommunications Firm Park). I've never seen a player be able to sit back on a pitch as long as he did and then just bury it when he decided he liked it. What pisses me off is that he didn't need to do this. He might not have broken the HR record without steroids, but he would have made the Hall of Fame. Now, there's a good chance he won't. What an oaf.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Exactly. I moved to the Bay Area about 13 years ago and I discovered one thing. If Barry Bonds can't rid me of being a Cubs fan, nobody can. But I enjoyed watching that dude hit. It was unbelievable. Okay, maybe it's alright to dredge up the steroids debate. Cuz they'll never be another hitter like that, I don't think, and steroids didn't do it. That's why I just don't get why he did it. I guess it was just to help him deal with ... something. Really, I have no idea. When he was a skinny bastard playing for Pittsburgh he was pretty damn good, and I've lifted enough weights (weighed 135 in college and went to 190 without even protein drinks) that I know you don't HAVE to do steroids to put on bulk. Very odd to me.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

There's a correlation between bat speed and strength... This is why you don't see 6'4 180 lb guys hitting 50 HR's a year in the majors. Also HGH is supposed to improve eyesight. There was a pretty convincing article a couple years ago about how his arm brace also attributed to him putting up those great numbers. He and Biggio had those ridiculous things grandfathered in, and the game is better now that they're gone. I never saw Ted Williams play, and I guess for him and Ruth they played by similiar rules to Bonds, but for about 6 years, you would never see anything but a fastball called for a strike against Bonds and his strikezone was about the size of a dinner plate. It was always the damndest thing to me, because public opinion would imply that Bonds (sort of like Bradley) wasn't well likes, and you would imagine that the umpires would pick up on that, instead they made a new set of the Jordan Rules for him.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

Well the fact that you find it foolish, and no one is hounding him (besides his whack-job brother I guess), probably should tell you something. It was a defacto admission, without opening himself to legal action or intense public scrutiny. It was the smart thing to do. If he "came clean" in your sense MLB could, in theory, erase his records, as well as exposing himself to have various DA's around the country prosecute him, sort of like Michael Phelps is experiencing now.

It will be interesting to see what happens to roger Clemens. To me, the evidence against Roger is every bit as strong. So if Roger escapes prosecution, you really have to question some governmental motives. Ultimately this reeks of a witch-hunt, dog and pony show. Marion Jones had to pay her debt. Raffy Palmiero didn't have to pay. As much as I hate the race card. You can't really even debate with someone who pulls it on this whole steroids/balco mess.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I guess everyone has their own opinion, but, again, with Clemens, I just think the dude was killer. I guess they (Bonds and Clemens) thought they couldn't excel into "old age" if they didn't do steroids. That part is possible, and it's a fair argument their detractors will use. I'm old enough that I guess I think if some idiot is willing to sacrifice his body and drop a few drops of steroids to make his body last a bit longer as an athlete, and I get to enjoy the beauty of the results, I'm okay with it. They'll end up with cancer or something, and that's a big price to pay. Their decision. We fans crave amazing excellence, and are really as culpable as the players in perpetuating this thing.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I know it was been mentioned as a possibility. But I have yet to see an actual indictment against Clemens. And FWIW, I'm not sure what this new "evidence really changes anything in the Bonds case? He said that he took the "cream and the clear" but that he didn't know it was Steroids. He took a random/annonymous screening given to him by MLB. He passed it at the time. Now 6 years later its tested and he failed? What exactly does that prove? He said he took steroids "unknowingly". If they told him he passed in 2003. Then as far as proof goes, he has no burden on him. The whole thing reeks of Dog and Pony show. Especially with the way the Govenment went after Marion Jones and Bonds. Yet have not done anything with Palmeiro or Clemens up to this point.

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In reply to by Dr. aaron b

There isn't a double standard going on here. Jones and Bones were both part of the BALCO investigation and testified before the grand jury. You can't lie to a grand jury in a major federal investigation and not be expected to be indicted on perjury charges. Jones in fact pled guilty to doing so. Clemens was never a part of a federal investigation at all. Ironically, the only reason he is even being pursued now is because he requested to speak before Congress and then lied to them - which is stupid to do. If they determine he lied to Congress he will also be indicted on similar charges. Were just not there yet. Palmeiro testified in March 2005, long before his positive test in August. Congress began an investigation into similar perjury charges, but could find no evidence of steroid use BEFORE his testimony before Congress - or he'd be in the same boat.

Just saw on the bottom line on ESPNEWS that A-Ram told the Dominican he didn't want to play in the WBC since A-Rod joined the team. Guess it makes sense - not really anywhere else for Rammy to play with Pujols, Hanley, and Reyes also in that infield. Not like they're going to move A-Rod to short with those two on the roster. EDIT: Pretty nasty pitching staff for that group. Can start Edinson Volquez, Ubaldo, Cueto, and Ervin Santana. You can follow them with some order of Coco Cordero, Valverde, Marmol, and K-Rod. Yikes.

I'm not sure I'd call the Mays the best all around player though. He was awesome, no doubt about it. We talk about this at work all the time, who are your top 5 players of all time? I think my top five would probably be #1 Ruth #2 Williams #3 Mantle #4 Cobb #5 Mays

Playing devil's advocate, the 1920's-1930s were an offensive boom era. Before the new baseballs introduced then, the leader had barely over 100 HR's I believe 103...Gavvy Cravath? (it was 119) Ruth was amazing, period. Mays had more speed, and heck...he lost 2 seasons to being in the Army. They were both great players.

How many topics can we cover in 105 posts? Isn't there a rule covering that? Need another shot of expresso...I'm Daffy, Dizzy, Dean. SO if Rich Hill becomes a world beater, do we get Brian Roberts as PTBNL? I LOVE this game!

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.