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

Intra-organizational Leaders

At just about the 1/4 mark in the 2006 season, here is the Cubs intra-organizational leader-board. Nothing very complicated, just the kind of stats you might find in the newspaper. OFFENSE BATTING AVERAGE: Luis Montanez - .368 Buck Coats - .328 Jake Fox - .328 Ryan Norwood - .328 Nic Jackson - .318 (DAY & WTN) Derrek Lee - .318 Eric Patterson - .305 Sam Fuld - .301 Matt Craig - .299 Chris Walker - .294 ON-BASE PCT: Derrek Lee - .448 Luis Montanez - .439 Nic Jackson - .417 (DAY & WTN) Jake Fox - .405 Matt Craig - .388 Sam Fuld - .379 Buck Coats - .376 Micah Hoffpauir - .367 Augie Ojeda - .366 Matt Murton - .366 Ryan Norwood - .366 SLUGGING PCT: Derrek Lee - .614 Jake Fox - .612 Micah Hoffpauir - .609 Matt Craig - .538 Scott Moore - .526 Michael Barrett - .520 Ryan Norwood - .518 Nic Jackson - .485 (DAY & WTN) Eric Patterson - .481 Jacque Jones - .480 OPS: Derrek Lee - 1.062 Jake Fox - 1.017 Micah Hoffpauir - .976 Matt Craig - .926 Luis Montanez - .910 Nic Jackson - .901 (DAY & WTN) Ryan Norwood - .884 Michael Barrett - .862 Scott Moore - .887 Eric Patterson - .828 HITS: Luis Montanez - 50 Eric Patterson - 47 Ryan Norwood - 45 Chris Walker - 45 Jake Fox - 44 Buck Coats - 43 Sam Fuld - 43 Nic Jackson - 42 (DAY & WTN) Scott Moore - 40 Felix Pie - 39 RUNS: Jake Fox - 29 Micah Hoffpauir - 28 Nic Jackson - 24 (DAY & WTN) Luis Montanez - 23 Jemel Spearman - 22 Sam Fuld - 21 Eric Patterson - 21 Matt Craig - 20 Juan Pierre - 20 Aramis Ramirez - 20 HOME RUNS: Jake Fox ñ 10 Micah Hoffpauir ñ 10 Jacque Jones ñ 6 Scott Moore ñ 6 Aramis Ramirez ñ 6 Michael Barrett ñ 5 Matt Craig ñ 5 Ryan Harvey ñ 5 Ryan Norwood ñ 5 RBI: Micah Hoffpauir ñ 31 Jake Fox - 26 Scott Moore- 26 Ryan Harvey - 25 Felix Pie - 25 Luis Montanez ñ 21 Michael Barrett ñ 19 Sam Fuld ñ 19 Jesus Valdez - 19 DOUBLES: Scott Moore ñ 14 Robinson Chirinos ñ 12 Matt Craig ñ 11 Micah Hoffpauir ñ 11 Luis Montanez ñ 11 Ryan Norwood ñ 11 Nic Jackson ñ 10 (DAY & WTN) Jemel Spearman ñ 9 TRIPLES: Eric Patterson ñ 4 Felix Pie ñ 4 Ronny Cedeno ñ 3 Sam Fuld ñ 3 Nic Jackson ñ 3 (DAY & WTN) Dylan Johnston ñ 3 Freddie Bynum ñ 2 Micah Hoffpauir ñ 2 Juan Pierre ñ 2 Joe Simokaitis ñ 2 Chris Walker ñ 2 WALKS: Micah Hoffpauir ñ 20 Matt Craig ñ 16 Jake Fox ñ 15 Sam Fuld ñ 15 Luis Montanez ñ 15 Matt Murton ñ 15 Jemel Spearman ñ 15 Robinson Chirinos ñ 14 Aramis Ramirez ñ 14 STRIKEOUTS: Scott Moore ñ 41 Jemel Spearman ñ 35 Brandon Sing ñ 33 Ryan Harvey ñ 32 Ryan Norwood ñ 32 Eric Patterson - 32 Matt Craig ñ 30 Jake Fox ñ 29 Felix Pie ñ 29 Chris Walker ñ 29 STOLEN BASES: Eric Patterson ñ 14 Chris Walker ñ 14 Juan Pierre ñ 12 Nic Jackson ñ 10 (DAY & WTN) Sam Fuld ñ 9 Davy Gregg ñ 8 Jemel Spearman - 8 Robinson Chirinos ñ 6 Dylan Johnston ñ 6 Scott Moore ñ 6 DEFENSE: OUTFIELD ASSISTS: Felix Pie ñ 5 Ryan Harvey ñ 4 * Johnny Defendis ñ 3 Matt Ciaramella ñ 2 Buck Coats ñ 2 Sam Fuld ñ 2 Davy Gregg ñ 2 Nic Jackson ñ 2 (DAY & WTN) Matt Murton ñ 2 * NOTE: J. Defendis has been released CATCHERS DEFENSE: CUBS: 1. Michael Barrett 8-44 CS (18%) ñ 3 E, 4 PB 2. Henry Blanco 3-5 CS (60%) - 0 E, 0 PB IOWA: 1. Geovany Soto 12-45 CS (27%) ñ 5 E, 1 PB 2. Casey Kopitzke 6-13 CS (46%) ñ 0 E, 1 PB WEST TENN: 1. Jose Reyes 8-19 CS (42%) - 0 E, 0 PB 2. Tony Richie 5-19 CS (26%) - 0 E, 1 PB DAYTONA: 1. Jake Fox 12-43 CS (28%) ñ 3 E, 6 PB 2. Alan Rick 1-12 CS (8%) ñ 0 E, 3 PB 3. Olin Wick 1-2 CS (50%) ñ 0 E, 1 PB PEORIA: 1. Mark Reed 11-23 CS (48%) ñ 2 E, 3 PB 2. Jake Muyco 12-22 CS (55%) ñ 4 E, 1 PB 3. Justin Morgan 4-8 CS (50%) ñ 1 E, 0 PB PITCHING LEADERS: RELIEVERS WHIP: Scott Koerber ñ 0.48 Thomas Atlee - 0.63 Adalberto Mendez ñ 0.73 David Aardsma ñ 0.80 (at IOWA only) Edward Campusano ñ 0.82 Rocky Cherry ñ 0.93 Ryan Dempster ñ 0.94 Bob Howry ñ 1.00 Clay Rapada ñ 1.03 Carlos Vasquez ñ 1.03 SAVES: Edward Campusano ñ 11 Clay Rapada ñ 11 Ryan Dempster ñ 7 Adalberto Mendez ñ 5 David Aardsma ñ 3 STARTING PITCHERS WHIP: Rich Hill ñ 0.80 (at IOWA only) Scott Taylor ñ 0.83 Ryan OíMalley ñ 0.86 Chris Shaver ñ 0.94 (at DAY & WTN) Randy Wells 0.99 Juan Mateo ñ 1.04 Angel Guzman ñ 1.10 (at IOWA only) Mitch Atkins - 1.13 Sean Marshall ñ 1.18 Sean Gallagher ñ 1.20 WINS (includes only pitchers with winning records): Greg Maddux 5-2 Jesse Estrada 4-0 Les Walrond 4-1 J. R. Mathes 4-2 Mitch Atkins 3-0 Sean Gallagher 3-0 Carlos Marmol 3-2 Juan Mateo 3-2 Clay Rapada 3-2 Donald Veal 3-2 LOSSES: Mike Billek ñ 5 Grant Johnson ñ 5 Glendon Rusch - 5 Bobby Brownlie ñ 4 Angel Guzman ñ 4 STARTERS ERA: Rich Hill ñ 1.44 (at IOWA only) Sean Gallagher ñ 2.09 Mitch Atkins ñ 2.23 Juan Mateo ñ 2.23 Les Walrond - 2.25 Chris Shaver ñ 2.29 (at WTN only) Carlos Marmol ñ 2.55 Donald Veal ñ 3.07 Greg Maddux ñ 3.10 Jae-kuk Ryu ñ 3.21 (at IOWA only) GAMES STARTED: Justin Berg ñ 8 Sean Gallagher ñ 8 Greg Maddux ñ 8 Carlos Marmol ñ 8 Juan Mateo ñ 8 J. R. Mathes ñ 8 Donald Veal ñ 8 Carlos Zambrano ñ 8 INNINGS: Greg Maddux ñ 49 Carlos Zambrano ñ 48 Sean Gallagher ñ 47 Juan Mateo ñ 44 Chris Shaver ñ 44 (DAY & WTN) J. R. Mathes ñ 43 Jae-kuk Ryu ñ 43 (IOWA & CUBS) Carlos Marmol ñ 42 Donald Veal ñ 41 Rich Hill ñ 40 (IOWA & CUBS) STRIKEOUTS: Carlos Zambrano ñ 54 Sean Gallagher ñ 50 Carlos Marmol ñ 50 Donald Veal ñ 49 Angel Guzman ñ 43 (IOWA & CUBS) Rich Hill - 42 (IOWA & CUBS) Chris Shaver ñ 41 (DAY & WTN) Justin Berg ñ 39 Mitch Atkins ñ 38 Greg Maddux ñ 36 Jae-kuk Ryu ñ 36 (IOWA & CUBS) WALKS ALLOWED: Carlos Zambrano ñ 33 Donald Veal ñ 29 Justin Berg ñ 20 Angel Guzman ñ 19 (IOWA & CUBS) Jerome Williams ñ 19 (CUBS & IOWA) Carlos Marmol ñ 19 Mark Holliman ñ 18 Les Walrond ñ 18 Jesus Yepez ñ 18 Rich Hill ñ 17 (IOWA & CUBS) HOME RUNS ALLOWED: Glendon Rusch ñ 11 Jerome Williams ñ 7 (CUBS & IOWA) Angel Guzman ñ 6 (IOWA & CUBS) Carlos Zambrano ñ 6 Brandon Emanuel ñ 5 Raul Valdes ñ 5 Bobby Brownlie ñ 5 (IOWA & WTN) Rich Hill ñ 4 (IOWA & CUBS) Jae-kuk Ryu ñ 4

Comments

Looks like Carlos Marmol is keeping up appearances quite well - do you think he'll have a chance to pitch in Iowa this season or will the Cubs' give him a full season at AA? By the way Phil, what is your source for these numbers? The stats and minorleaguebaseball.com (or iowacubs.com) are really out of date.

I know that it's an antiquated stat, but there are only 7 players in the entire organization who are hitting .300? Wow. Still, good to see that Jake Fox and Luis Montanez are off to such good starts with the bat. Montanez may turn out to be a decent 4th OF after all.

I wonder how Felix Pie would be ranking if he were batting 3rd or 4th in the Iowa lineup. The only positive offensive categories he's ranking top 5 in is RBI's (from the leadoff position?); and triples. He certainly isn't a major league leadoff hitter unless he's getting on base better (ie. more hits or walks). Why does this organization always screw this concept (OBA) up?

shame fox is trying to play himself out of the C possition, though. its way too early to give up on him there, but its not been easy going. he's a hell of a catcher with his bat, but he gets lost in the mix if you consider him at 1st/LF. dunno if they'll end up trying him at 3rd if he fails at C cuz i have no idea what kinda range he'd have there.

Tribune is under tremendous pressure to improve it's corporate performance. It would not surprise me if they seriously evaluate selling the Cubs (a team Forbes recently valued at over $450 Million)...They would make a fortune if they sold the team (and the fans could benefit from a new owner too)...here's some history: "June 16th, 1981 - The Tribune Company, headquartered in Chicago Illinois buys the Chicago Cubs for $20.5 million from Bill Wrigley. Bill Wrigley is the third generation of Wrigley's to own the Chicago Cubs. William Wrigley Jr. who made his money in Chewing Gum (Wrigley's) bought a minority stake in 1916, and became majority owner in 1921. His son Phil Wrigley inherited the team after William's death, and then left the team to his son Bill. Bill Wrigley sold the team to pay his inheritance taxes, and because the Cubs were unprofitable."

cubster...minor leagues arent built like the majors. felix pie is gonna see more ab's batting 1st...theriot was faster was pie, but he still batted 1st. he wont get protection, he'll see a variety of stuff and best of all, he'll see more ab's. he's got the speed to be there so its not just a "see more ab" situation. he's 21...he should have power one day, but as of right now he's probally a 15-20hr guy. that said he may end up batting 1st for the cubs next year if pierre goes cuz well...he'd be the fastest starter on the club.

Can somebody please explain to me why Felix Pie is batting leadoff for the Iowa Cubs? The guy is not top of the order material outside of being a fast on the basepads. He goes up to the plate hacking and is impatient just like so many Cub players before him. He should be hitting #3, 4 or 5 for Iowa. When/if he ever makes it to the Cubs, he should be plopped in the #7 hole until he gets his major league sea legs. When/if that happens, I see his destiny to be a good #5 or #6 hitter. Hasn't this organization learned anything from the Corey Patterson Trainwreck?

read above. =p

William Wrigley Jr. is in his early 40's and a billionaire. Under his leadership, Wrigley has become a diversified, global player in the world of gum and snack foods. Wouldn't it be ironic if Bill Wrigley tapped into his enormous personal worth to buy the franchise that his grandfather and father were intent to run into the ground? Wrigley Jr. is a deeply impressive guy. I'd love to see him buy the Cubs if his heart would genuinely be in it. Think of the goodwill he could create for his company (and family) if he rode in on a white horse and turned the Cubs into a winner. Talk about theatre on a grand stage.

Wrigley might be a very good owner for the Cubs -- he's got very deep pockets and he could leverage the stadium to build his brand (and experiment with new products). If Wrigley would ever buy the Cubs they would attract some world class management and I'm sure the team would have a much better chance of being a real contender. Tribune could make hundreds of millions, maintain broadcast rights and focus more on their core businesses.

AZ Phil, With the draft coming up soon (June 6th) I was wondering if you had a favorite as to whom the Cubs should pick. I am hoping Hockever doesnt sign with LAD and slips in the draft to us at 13.

he'll end up going way past 13th... i'm hoping for wes hodges at gtech, myself...3rd baseman. its a weak weak weak draft coming up...especially for possition players. lots of ordinary HS/college pitchers aside from andrew miller and a few others.

#1 of 12: By rossbarnes (May 16, 2006 05:12 PM) Looks like Carlos Marmol is keeping up appearances quite well - do you think he'll have a chance to pitch in Iowa this season or will the Cubs' give him a full season at AA? By the way Phil, what is your source for these numbers? The stats and minorleaguebaseball.com (or iowacubs.com) are really out of date. -- ROSS: I thonk the Cubs will keep marmol at Iowa for the entire season. They got burned when theyt tried to jump Nolasco up in mid-season a couple of years ago, so I don't think they want that to happen again. As for the stats, ever since I learned to read, I have preferred reading box scores to most other stuff. Sort of like a stock broker reads the Dow Jones. Then I just keep track of the updates myself in my head, which is why I sometimes make mistakes. I should probably write it down somewhere.

#3 of 13: By Cubster (May 16, 2006 06:05 PM) I wonder how Felix Pie would be ranking if he were batting 3rd or 4th in the Iowa lineup. The only positive offensive categories he's ranking top 5 in is RBI's (from the leadoff position?); and triples. He certainly isn't a major league leadoff hitter unless he's getting on base better (ie. more hits or walks). Why does this organization always screw this concept (OBA) up? CUBSTER: Pie is tied for 9th in HR with several others and 9th in doubles with an even larger group, and I believe he is (by himself) 11th in SLG % and 11th in OPS. So he is really close to being Top 10 in several categories besides RBI, hits, triples, and OF assists. And I would most certainly agree with anyone who believes Pie is definitely NOT a lead-off hitter, because he's not. But I believe he will be an outstanding middle-of-the-order run producer, eventually leading the league in doubles and triples. It's best if he doesn't try to steal, though. He can get to 2B or 3B more easily (and safely) just by hitting a double or a triple, and he is also the kind of baserunner who can go from 1st to 3rd and score from 2nd on a base hit to the outfield, as well as score from 1st base on a double. That's the kinda speed I like!

BTW, if I was building a team, I'd go after players who hit a lot of doubles. That's how you score runs. You can keep your small ball, folks. Make mine a double. (In fact, I just did!).

#2 of 15: By Dillon1998 (May 16, 2006 05:22 PM) I know that it's an antiquated stat, but there are only 7 players in the entire organization who are hitting .300? Wow. --- DILLON: What's REALLY weird is that if you look at the Cubs organization and name an "all-star" for each position just based on how they have performed on the field so far this year, there are only two positions where the best performance has been by a guy on the major league club, and that is shortstop (Ronny Cedeno) and starting pitcher (Greg Maddux). For me (so far) my organizational all-star team would be: C- Jake Fox 1B - Micah Hoffpauir 2B - Eric Patterson 3B - Scott Moore SS - Ronny Cedeno LF - Luis Montanez CF - Sam Fuld RF - Felix Pie DH - Ryan Norwood SP - Greg Maddux CL - Clay Rapada BTW, keep an eye on CF Sam Fuld (Daytona). An OF of Murton-Fuld-Pie LF-CF-RF (with Fuld hitting lead-off) in Wrigley Field cum 2009 wouldn't surprise me one dang bit and in fact I would like to see that happen. Fuld played college ball at Stanford and was also a member of Team USA back when baseball was still an Olympic sport. The Cubs tend to draft a lot of "athletic" toolsy guys, but Sam Fuld is a real throwback. He reminds me of Brian Giles, just by the way he plays the game. Fuld is a BASEBALL PLAYER. And he will take a walk. That's right, he's a lead-off hitter who makes the pitcher work by going deep into the count and then isn't afraid to take a base on balls. What a concept. And he is an RBI threat, too, so he can drive in a run when necessary. Which Pierre does not. Also, the Cubs should really consider moving Ryan Harvey to the mound. He has got a cannon for an arm (he threw in the mid-90's in high school), and he ain't never gonna hit enough to make it to the big leagues. He has major league power, but he is a worse hitter than his pal Brian Dopirak. Harvey throws lasers from RF, so he might as well do a Carlos Marmol (a weak-hitting catcher who became a pitcher) and try pitching.

AZ Phil: What about Hoffpauir-can he help us NOW? Same question for Nic Jackson and Montanez. At this point it doesn't seem like much of a gamble if you waste a Jackson or Montanez.

#11 of 16: By chifan3887 (May 16, 2006 06:47 PM) AZ Phil, With the draft coming up soon (June 6th) I was wondering if you had a favorite as to whom the Cubs should pick. I am hoping Hockever doesnt sign with LAD and slips in the draft to us at 13. CHIFAN3887: Since the Cubs won't get their second pick until the 4th round (somewhere around pick #150), they should be ready and willing to take anybody who falls because of signability issues, and then give him more than what the 13 slot in the first round would normally demand. And Luke Hochevar would be just such an animal. And Hochevar being a Scott Boras client won't bother Hendry, either. Jimbo seems to actually LIKE doing business with Scott Boras, which is pretty unusual among MLB suits.

#17 of 18: By carmenfanzone (May 16, 2006 07:46 PM) AZ Phil: What about Hoffpauir-can he help us NOW? Same question for Nic Jackson and Montanez. At this point it doesn't seem like much of a gamble if you waste a Jackson or Montanez. CARMEN F: Micah Hoffpauir is playing one level below where he should be playing (I suspect Hendry gave Brandon Sing some kind of a verbal guarantee after last season, that in return for not taking the opportunity to be a six-year minor league FA, he would get an NRI to ST and be the everyday 1B at Iowa and would not be sent back to AA), so Hoffpauir needs to get back to AAA and prove himself there. If he can master AAA, I can see Hoffpauir being a Mark Sweeney/Ross Gload/John Rodriguez-type 1B-PH at some point in his career, especially if he can learn to play a little OF. But first he needs to move back up to AAA. As for Sing, he might not get sent back to AA, but he could get traded or released if he doesn't start to hit pretty soon. When Hoffpauir played at AAA last season, he hit .268 with only three HR in 438 PA. So what he is doing at West Tenn right now is clouded by that memory. Both Nic Jackson and Luis Montanez can be six-year minor league FAs after this season, so the Cubs should try to get both of them up to AAA before much longer and see if they can do what they are doing now at AA at a higher level. Montanez would be far more valuable if he still played SS, because he just doesn't hit with enough power to play a corner OF spot. He also has just average speed, but he has improved his plate discipline the way all of us hoped Corey Patterson would, and (after moving to the OF) he has indeed become a very, very good hitter. Line-drives all over the place. Which is fine, and that certainly can get him to the big leagues as an extra man, but probably not as an everyday or even a platoon corner OF. Now if he would consider trying the middle infield again, that would be interesting. As for Nic Jackson, before he tore his rotator cuff in '04, he was a potential five-tool OF (with defense, arm, speed, and occasional power his primary assets) ranked by Baseball America among the Top 100 prospects in all of baseball two years in a row. If he is close to being back to where he was before he got hurt, I don't think I would necesarily want him to just walk away. He could make a fine 4th OF (although the Cubs already have one of those in Angel Pagan, presuming he comes back with 100% of his speed after tearing his hamstring). Jackson needs to go to Iowa and prove himself there. The Cubs can't keep Jackson in AA all year, because they need to determine ASAP if he is somebody worth keeping, and if he is, that means they would probably need to put him back on their 40-man roster after this season. Likewise with Montanez, and also with Buck Coats (the third key 6YMLFA), although I think Coats is close to being a lock to be added to the 40 after the season.

Thanks Phil, you really ought to be doing this for a living, great insight. I knew Nic Jackson was a highly regarded prospect before he got hurt and I suspected they didn't expect much this year from him and were willing to give up on him-or so it seemed. Montanez seemed like a lost cause too. Maybe second base? We could use a line drive machine playing second... As for Hoffpauir and Sing, I don't know about you but bringing up a real 1b would seem logical right now. Bringing up Theriot to sit behind Walker, Hairston, Nefi and Bynum is such a waste.

#20 of 20: By carmenfanzone (May 16, 2006 09:29 PM) Montanez seemed like a lost cause too. Maybe second base? We could use a line drive machine playing second... As for Hoffpauir and Sing, I don't know about you but bringing up a real 1b would seem logical right now. Bringing up Theriot to sit behind Walker, Hairston, Nefi and Bynum is such a waste. --- CARMEN F: I would say if there was any position where Luis Montanez should be playing right now, it would be 2B. He was a shortstop in high school and for his first four years in pro ball, and even though he made a lot of errors, he had (and probably still has) the mindset of an infielder, and he certainly at least cognitively understands how to play infield. And if he got to the point where his defensive problems at SS was adversely affecting his hitting, and he felt moving to the outfield would help save his career, then more power to him. But now that his hitting has improved to the extent that it has (which is a WHOLE lot), I would hope that he has the confidence to handle a move back to the infield again--not to SS obviously, but maybe to the less-demanding 2B. It would be worth a shot. What do the Cubs have to lose? He's going to be a 6Y MLFA after the season anyway. As you said, a line drive machine playing 2nd base for the Cubs (especially one who has finally at long last found plate discipline) would be great... IF he can make the transition back to the infield. But if he stays a corner outfielder and won't consider a move back to the infield, I can't see him ever being an everyday player in the big leagues. Extra man? Probably. Every day player? No way. And I have absolutely no idea why Ryan Threriot was recalled. It was obvious that Dusty wasn't going to play Restovich, and he probably wouldn't have played Sing or Hoffpauir, either, but adding Theriot made no sense. Actually, even adding a 3rd catcher (Geovany Soto) would have been a better move than bringing up Theriot. I didn't get that move, and the explanation offered by Hendry and/or Dusty made no sense, either.

Phil thanks again for providing your reasoned insight.

AZ Phil, what is the deal with the cubs releasing Johnny Defendis? Wasnt he just drafted last summer? Is there any scuttlebutt as to why they gave up on him so fast? Also, do you think that Montanez would be able to handle the right handed platoon role with Jack Jones? His splits look like it may be possible. Do you think that Montanez is ready to help now?

#23 of 23: By aaronb (May 17, 2006 09:31 AM) AZ Phil, what is the deal with the cubs releasing Johnny Defendis? Wasnt he just drafted last summer? Is there any scuttlebutt as to why they gave up on him so fast? Also, do you think that Montanez would be able to handle the right handed platoon role with Jack Jones? His splits look like it may be possible. Do you think that Montanez is ready to help now? --- AARON B: I don't know what happened with Johnny Defendis. This was only to be his first full season in pro ball, he already had three OF assists in nine games, and he wasn't hitting any worse than half of the Peoria team through the first ten days, so I don't know what happened. I guess it's still a mystery at this point. As for Luis Montanez, as you know he is totally dominating the Southern League. Besides leading the SL in hitting for the last few weeks, he had a big night last night with a HR and four RBI plus two OF assists (threw out one runner at 3rd and another at home), and at the very least should probably be promoted to AAA Iowa to see if he can handle a higher level. Of course, the Cubs brought up two outfielders from AA West Tenn last July (Murton and Greenberg), so it is not beyond reason that Montanez could go straight from AA to the Cubs. I just don't think Dusty would platoon Jacque Jones with Montanez, because he didn't even try to let Michael Restovich start in RF against LHPs, and unlike Montanez, Restovich actually has MLB experience.

Montanez and Hoffpauir got called up to Iowa yesterday. Sing got sent down.

is it fair to say the ceiling/best case scenario projection for pie is Tim Raines? I would LOVE that.

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.