Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus one player is on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 3-28-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
* 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: 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 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 1 
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 1 
Caleb Kilian, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Yes, We Have No Banana Break (Today)

As many of you know by now, Thursday is usually Camp Day at Cubs Extended Spring Training.

And so it was in fact today, as the EXST Cubs first had some fielding drills & took BP on Fitch Park Fields 1, 2, and 4, followed by a three-inning intrasquad game on Field #3 (and with no Banana Break in between, either!).

As is often the case in the somewhat more-informal EXST intrasquad games at Fitch Park, the pitchers throw for one squad or the other, but the position players rotate from the field to the bench each inning or half-inning (whatever), without regard to teams (squads) or batting order.

Also, innings are sometimes  terminated early if a pitcher reaches his pitch limit for that inning prior to three outs being recorded, and innings are sometimes extended if a pitcher gets three outs without getting anywhere close to his pitch limit for that inning (and if pitch counts ever become any more important than they already are, this may be the way baseball will be played someday).  

Here is today's abridged box score (such as it is):

POSITION PLAYERS:
Kevin Soto, CF: 2-2 (R, 2B, RBI)
Junior Lake, SS: 2-3
Carlos Perez, 1B: 0-1 (SF-RBI)
John Contreras, 3B: 0-2 
Starlin Castro, 2B: 1-2
Cesar Salazar, LF: 1-2 (SB, K)
George Matheus, SS: 0-1 (K)
Dwayne Kemp, 2B: 0-1 (SH)
Nelson Perez, CF: 0-2 (K)
Bryan Jost, 1B: 0-1
Marwin Gonzalez, RF: 1-1 (R, SB)
Kyler Burke, RF: 2-2 (2B, 3B, RBI, R)
Drew Rundle, LF: 0-2
Jose Made, 2B-SS: 0-2 (K)
Alvaro Sosa, C: 0-1 (CS)
Robinson Chirinos, C: 0-1
Josh Vitters, 3B: PLAYED DEFENSE ONLY - NO AB...
(and Roberto Sabates was the bullpen catcher - NO AB)

PITCHERS:

SQUAD "A"
Rogelio Carmona
- 2.1 IP, 2 H. 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K  (1/4 GO/FO)
John Muller - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (1/1 GO/FO)

SQUAD "B"
Miguel Sierra - 3.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 1 K (4/3 GO/FO)

ERRORS (2):
1. Bryan Jost, E3, missed catch on ground ball that went under his glove.
2. John Contreras, E5, overthrow at 1st base on infield hit with no outs that allowed runner to score from 2nd base. 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Robinson Chirinos: 1-2 CS
Alvaro Sosa: 0-1 CS

WEATHER: Hot with temperature in the 90's, calm winds, no clouds to be seen.

ATTENDANCE: 2 civilians, plus the University of Oklahoma Sooners baseball team that had a work-out on Field #1 during the Cubs intrasquad game, in preparation for their opening game in the NCAA Tempe Regional tomorrow afternoon at Packard Stadium versus Vanderbilt. (Arizona State plays Stony Brook in the other game) 

Comments

For Mike C, who can't have a 'discussion' without cursing and insulting the other person: Paul Sullivan writes: "Until the trade market heats up, Piniella has to cross his fingers and hope that Micah Hoffpauir is a quick learner at the age of 28, Jim Edmonds is not just a recycled star on his last legs, and Daryle Ward can get healthy enough so he doesn’t have to use two players (Ward and a pinch-runner) every time he pinch-hits. Fukudome is no home run hitter and is not the kind of run-producer needed in the No. 5 hole." http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/05/l… Fukudome is on pace for an incredibly unproductive year as a number 5 hitter, 6 home runs and 60 rbi's. But Mike C, the child he is, thinks that's the greatest run production in club history and that anyone else in the five hole would do worse. Just ask him, he'll be glad to call you a "fuck", "piece of shit", or tell you to "Shut the fuck up" because he can't tolerate other people's opinions, especially when his is so blatantly ignorant.

AZ PHIL, I perhaps missed some updates, but what is going on with Josh Vitters? Has he been hurt, is that why he is at EXST? How does he look so far? I need some good Cub Farm System news, because alot of our top prospects are having so-so or worse years: Smardzija, Veal, Colvin, Thomas, Donaldson, Ceda, Pawelek....I don't think Ryan Harvey even counts as a prospect anymore. Our farm system is starting to look a little dry........

[ ]

In reply to by Q-Ball

I would say that there are bright linings to the Colvin and Thomas clouds. Colvin has vastly increased his walk rate, so maybe the low average is due to him slowly learning some plate discipline, which he'll need. Also, though Thomas numbers no longer stand out, he's still hitting a bit after being promoted all the way to Daytona from Boise (where he spent the second half of last season). Donaldson and Samardzija on the other hand... what happened there? (Samninja, what is so hard about learning to throw a breaking ball when you obviously have the arm speed to do so?) Veal and Ceda are doing about what we should've expected, but of course I too am disappointed that neither one of them is breaking out or getting a whole lot better.

AZ Phil, I've seen you mention Carmona throws hard and can be wild. How hard does he throw? What other pitches does he have? Thanks. Oh, and do you think Hernandez will be up with Peoria soon now that his suspension is over?

Submitted by Raisin101 on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 8:27pm.

AZ Phil, I've seen you mention Carmona throws hard and can be wild. How hard does he throw? What other pitches does he have? Thanks.

Oh, and do you think Hernandez will be up with Peoria soon now that his suspension is over?

==========================

RAISIN: Other than Rafael Dolis (who was shut-down with a sore shoulder last month while rehabbing from 2007 TJS), there aren't any extreme hard throwers at EXST this year. Angel Guzman and Julio Pena throw 94, Rogelio Carmona and a few others can throw 93. Mark Pawelek has got his fastball velocity up to 92 and is throwing his hard slider again (he had been told by Cubs coaches not to throw it), and he has gone back to the release point & arm slot that worked really well for him in HS, even though Cubs coaches had him change to a more conventional motion & delivery after he signed in 2005 because they thought the way he was throwing (at that time) would eventually cause shoulder problems. Marcus Hatley doesn't throw real hard, but he has an outstanding cutter (sort of like Kevin Hart) and his stamina is good (he's a horse).

Carmona throws a fastball, slider, and an occasional change. The problem with Carmona is command and control, which is the problem with a lot of guys down here. Consistency from outing to outing is another problem. But when he's "on" his game, Carmona can rack up the K's. He throws hardest in his first inning or two (30 pitches) and then his velocity usually drops off, so he's probably more of a late-inning relief prospect than a future starter.

There also are a lot of pitchers at EXST who have one good pitch but no decent secondary stuff. Sort of like Jeff Samardzija throwing a plus power-sinker but everything else is sub-standard.

As for Robert Hernandez, I think it's just a matter of the Cubs waiting for a roster opening at Peoria. Last year, several pitchers went down with injuries at Peoria and Daytona in April and May, but there haven't been anywhere near as many injuries this year. Which is good for the pitchers at Peoria and Daytona, but not for Hernandez. But pitching-wise, Hernandez is clearly a man among boys at EXST.

When it gets to the end of EXST next Wednesday, I would expect Hernandez and Pawelek to move up to Peoria rather than go to Boise, with maybe Billy Muldowney and possibly Blake Parker moving up to Daytona, and/or maybe Alberto Cabrera, Kevin Kreier, and/or Audy Santana moving down to Boise. (That's presuming there aren't any injuries at Daytona or Peoria between now and then).

Thanks, AZ Phil. It appears Kreier is already coming back down from Peoria despite a couple good outings. Dae-Eun Rhee is off the Peoria DL and has been reinsted in the Peoria rotation. Kreier and Marcus Hatley look like probable shoe-ins for Boise's rotation. What about Harol Tolentino? You haven't mentioned him much recently but I know he throws pretty hard and had a few chances at Boise and Peoria last season.

Submitted by Raisin101 on Fri, 05/30/2008 - 11:29am.

Thanks, AZ Phil. It appears Kreier is already coming back down from Peoria despite a couple good outings. Dae-Eun Rhee is off the Peoria DL and has been reinsted in the Peoria rotation.

Kreier and Marcus Hatley look like probable shoe-ins for Boise's rotation. What about Harol Tolentino? You haven't mentioned him much recently but I know he throws pretty hard and had a few chances at Boise and Peoria last season.

============================

RAISIN: Harol Tolentino has been used mainly in one inning outings at the end of EXST games, so I would expect him to be either the co-closer with John Muller or #1 set-up guy at Boise.

Of course, a lot will depend on who the Cubs draft and sign next week, but AS THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW, I would expect the Boise 17-man (or 18-man) pitching staff will include:

STARTING ROTATION:
1. Robert Hernandez (although I believe he will be at Peoria no later than 6-17-08)
2. Mark Pawelek (I believe he will be at Peoria by 6-17, too)
3. Ryan Acosta
4. Kevin Kreier
5. Marcus Hatley

BULLPEN:
John Muller
(likely primary closer or co-closer)
Harol Tolentino (probable #1 set-up guy or co-closer)
Arik Hempy (arm strength still a problem)
Jon Mueller (has completed rehab but has been pretty bad in recent outings)
Michael Bunton (only recently back active from sore shoulder, not yet 100%)
Jake Muyco (converted catcher)
Luke Sommer (converted OF, was a pitcher in HS)
Jose Pina (rehabbing from 2007 TJS - will pitch only when the time is right)
Chris Huseby (until he gets his mechanics straightened out, he'll probably work mainly in simulated games & bullpen sessions, and he possibly might get some garbage innings, too)

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    steele MRI on friday.  counsell expects an IL stint.

    no current plans for his rotation replacement.

  • hellfrozeover (view)

    I would say also in the bright side column is Busch looked pretty good overall at the plate. Alzolay…man, that hurts but most of the time he’s not giving up a homer to that guy. To me the worst was almonte hanging that pitch to Garcia. He hung another one to the next hitter too and got away with it on an 0-1. 

  • crunch (view)

    amaya blocked like 6-8 of smyly's pitches in the dirt very cleanly...not even an exaggeration, smyly threw a ton of pitches bouncing in tonight.

    neris looking like his old self was a relief (no pun), too.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    In looking for bright spots the defense was outstanding tonight. The “stars” are going to need to shine quite a bit brighter than they did tonight offensively though for this to be a successful season.

  • Eric S (view)

    Good baseball game. Hopefully Steele is pitching again in April (but I’m not counting on it). 

  • crunch (view)

    boo.

  • crunch (view)

    smyly to face the 2/3/4 hitters with a man on 2nd in extras.

    this doesn't seem like a 8 million dollar managerial decision.

  • crunch (view)

    i 100% agree with you, but i dunno how jed wants to run things.  the default is delay.  i would choose brown.

    like hellfrozeover says, could be smyly since he's technically fresh and stretched.

    anyway, on a pure talent basis....brown is the best option.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Use pitchers when you believe they're good. Don't plan their clock.

    I'm sorry. I'm simply anti-clock/contract management. Play guys when they show real MLB potential talent.

    If Brown hadn't been hurt with the Lat Strain he would've gotten the call, and not Wick.

    Give him a chance. 

    But Wesneski probably gets it

  • crunch (view)

    alzolay...bro...