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

Cubs Draft Tracker Ticker - Day 1

ROUND #1 (19). Andrew Cashner, RHP (TCU)
R/R, 6'6, 180, 21 years old
COMMENT: Was drafted by the Cubs in the 29th round of the 2007 Rule 4 Draft out of Angelina JC in Texas, but he did not sign, opting instead to transfer to TCU where he was arguably the #1 closer prospect in college baseball in 2008 (43.1 IP, 14 H, 24 BB, 65 K, 2.08 ERA, .104 OBA, 0.95 WHIP), ... Throws a 96-98 MPH fastball that runs in on right-handed hitters and moves away from left-handed hitters. but what made him the pitcher he is now is when he junked his mediocre curve in favor of a 84-85 MPH power slider... Power arm would profile very closely to that of Jose Ceda, one of the Cubs top pitching prospects...  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

ROUND #1-S (41). Ryan Flaherty, SS (Vanderbilt)
L/R, 6'3, 210, 21 years old
COMMENT: Good defensive player but with below-average range for a SS...Played 2B for Team USA, which is probably the position he will ultimately play in pro ball... Had 35 game hitting streak at Vanderbilt, and improved his power stroke in his junior year... Hit 324/411/543 with 14 HR and 63 RBI (led team) with 39/46 BB/K in 303 PA, 10 SB (2 CS), in 2008... Nickname is "Flash"...

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ROUND #2 (65). Aaron Shafer, RHP (Wichita State)
L/R, 6'4, 205, 21 years old
COMMENT: Rotation starter with an 88-91 MPH fastball (down from 91-94 from before he suffered strained elbow in 2007), a "12-6" curve, and a solid change-up..

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND #3 (97): Chris Carpenter, RHP (Kent State)
R/R, 6'4, 215, 22 years old
COMMENT: Had Tommy John surgery in 2005 and additional elbow surgery in 2006...Power pitcher with 92-96 MPH fastball that has touched 98, a hard, tight curve, and OK change-up...27/74 BB/K with only 49 hits allowed in 65.2 IP in 2008...

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ROUND #4 (131): Matt Cerda, SS (Oceanside HS - Oceanside, CA)
L/R, 5'10, 175, 17 years old
COMMENT: Hit 542/647/1.075 with 16 HR in just 139 PA at Oceanside HS in 2008... Signed NLI with University of San Diego... Was the catcher on the Oceanside Little League team that advanced to LLWS in 2001
... Will likely move to 2B at higher levels...

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ROUND #5 (161): Justin Bristow, RHP (East Carolina)
R/R, 6'4, 213, 21 years old
COMMENT: Throws 90-92 "straight" fastball, a cutter, and a "filthy" curve... pitched two CG shutouts in 2008 season... Transferred from Auburn, where he was a teammate of Josh Donaldson... Played 3B at Auburn, before moving to the mound in 2007...  

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ROUND #6 (191): Josh Harrison, 2B (U. of Cincinnati)
R/R, 5'8, 177, 20 years old
COMMENT: 2008 Co-Big East Conference Player of the Year... Hit .378 (.433 OBP) with 22 doubles, 25/20 BB/K in 282 PA, and 32 SB (8 CS) in '08... Well below-average defender (19 E in 59 G)... Nephew of ex-MLB OF John Shelby...

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Comments

Cashner? wtf? I can't believe it, Cubs suck...they're so cheap.

 /sarcasm

Howry, Wood, Eyre could all be gone after this year and who knows when Cashner will be ready to contribute in the majors. Sounds like he has great stuff.. 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Jim Hendry totally needs to bring more 2nd basemen into the organization. It's the only way he will ever realize his dream of 13 2nd basemen and 12 LHP's on his MLB roster all at the same time. Don't EVER give up on your dream Jimbo!

Speaking of Ceda -- what's the scoop with him? Looks like they have him starting at Daytona? Are they trying to build up his innings? For a guy who supposedly had a (long) shot in spring training, he seems to be struggling quite a bit at A ball.

When did the Brewers win 6 in a row?

The big question mark about Cashner is whether he can throw strikes. He he can, he could up in the big leagues real fast (see Max Scherzer). If he can't, he could spend the next four seasons in Extended Spring Training.

I know this isn't draft - related, but was still psyched to read about Guz's continued comeback in AZ Phil's report. Come on, Guz - we're gonna need you soon, buddy.

Cashner: I throw a fastball and a slider. My fastball usually sits 95-96 mph and touches 97-98. The other day I think I was 95-97. Usually every once in awhile I get it up to 98. I think I hit 99 once and 100 once this year. My slider – it just depends on how fresh my arm is. Sometimes my slider will sit 85-86 or 87-88. The majority of the time, it has been 84-86, but every once in awhile it’ll be 87-88.

RHP Aaron Shafer, Wichita State - 21 years old, 6-5" who the hell puts the music behind these scouting videos?

2nd and 3rd round picks for Shafer and Carpenter... Carpenter sure wasn't hitting mid-90's in that scouting video on mlb.com

It could be the love of Mike Fontenot, but the Cubs have now drafted three middle IF over the last two years that are have little power, speed or defensive skills (Darwin Barney in 2007, Flaherty and Cerda this year) but are decent hitters for average. Flaherty and Barney both had reputations as great "baseball players" though. Personally...I like top draft picks with great performances or speed or projectability. We certainly have drafted them -- few players are more projectable than Vitters and Cashner's high 90s fastball cannot be taught. But similar to Hendry's love of players from Notre Dame or his high school alma mater, our new scouting director has an interesting desire to draft short defensively average middle IFs who hit for decent average but have no power or speed.

[ ]

In reply to by springs

If you're including Matt Cerda in that characterization, I dunno... Hit 542/647/1.075 with 16 HR in just 139 PA Pretty decent slugging #'s -- doesn't sound like a hitter with "no power". I know it's only HS stats, but it's all we have to go on. Do you know something else regarding his power potential?

[ ]

In reply to by JoePepitone

Just Baseball America's comments, which I extrapolated some from his size: "Just 5'8 175, Cerda projects as a second baseman as a pro thanks to below average range. He has an average arm. His best tool is his bat, as he has a quick compact swing with extension and full finish." Sounds to me like a good hitter for average. At his size, I doubted power though. So...not fast, not a good fielder, small and perhaps a good hitter for average. Interestingly, after my email, the Cubs then drafted Josh Harrison a 5'8 IF who is "just an average runner", "isn't going to have much power with wood bats" and at 2b "made 19 errors in 59 games, doesn't pivot well and doesn't profile at any other position". Flaherty, btw, is big (6'3) and lanky. So he isn't the best comparison physically. But all these three really confuse me -- do we really need to draft three middle IF who do not have power, speed or defensive ability in the first 6 rounds? I am nothing more than a fan of baseball -- I don't coach anymore and I never scouted. So I rely on Baseball America and other websites analysis quite a bit. And these sites clearly are not dispositive on the players and where they should be drafted. But the Cubs somehow veer farther from these sites analysis more than other teams (Tyler Colvin, for example, was ranked in the mid-100s when we drafted him with the 13th pick of the first round). And our poor draft history makes me doubt any pick that is off the beaten path. But if Fontenot leaves after this season, fortunately we will be able to replace him.

[ ]

In reply to by Jeff_Pico

I certainly hope my initial opinion was rash -- I would love Harrison to be a quick sparkplug. And the BA blog states that Cerda had a great workout for the Cubs and even tried out for Wilken as a catcher and if he was a good hitting lefty catcher, that would be great. But as I am going just off of MLB and BA analysis, these players appear to be poor picks. And if the Cubs had a history of making great unexpected choices or had a strong draft history, then I might give more weight to their choices. For now, I am blindly hopeful but realistically doubtful of Flaherty, Cerda and Harrison. On the other hand, I am actually quite excited about the pitchers we drafted -- they all have the potential to be very good with high ceilings.

Interesting tidbit from former TCR writer Bryan Smith: Bryan Smith (4:41:06 PM PT): Kevin mentioned the Cubs taking Chris Carpenter a little bit ago, but I don't want to let the 65th overall pick go unnoticed. Aaron Shafer was, one year ago, considered to be a sure-fire top ten pick. What happened wasn't really a loss in velocity, but a complete loss in consistency. He has a great change up, and if the Cubs feel they can teach him a breaking ball, he becomes a good prospect quick. Hmm...

PIT announcers have been talking nonstop for 2 innings now about the draft, the draft room, and how pedro alvarez is gonnna be here in less than a year. phew...things going so bad in PIT that's all they gotta go on.

6-4 RHP from East Carolina State, Justin Bristow

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

that should be ECU...well, that's what we call it around here. justin b. had the pleasure of trashing auburn before and when he got to ECU...caused a bit of issues with the drama queens of college baseball. a lotta it was based on the perception that he did so badly for auburn over 2 years he didn't have the cred. to be bashing the program. he was highly sought after by auburn and highly touted til his 2 seasons of mediocre/suck.

“I think we’re going to let this one take its place,” said Wilken. “His delivery is pretty sound and is probably one of the better ones of this draft. He’s comfortable in what he’s been doing I’d suppose. But he has started in the past and we’re going to leave this one open. He’s shown he’s got good versatility to go either way. We’re very happy.” Wilken was asked if it was unusual to draft a reliever in the first round. He reiterated that Cashner was not necessarily a reliever, or would be in the future. “He could very well be a starter and a good one at that,” Wilken said. Wilken said he wasn’t concerned with any possible signability issues with Cashner, who maintained a good relationship with the Cubs after returning to college. Thursday marked the fourth straight year he was selected in the draft.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

draft is some funny stuff. its highly likely the cubs would have never had a chance to draft s.gallagher if he wasnt on a plane in post-9/11 america missing a couple dozen calls from scouts feeling out his signability issues. a cubs scout called gallagher's dad after not being able to get a hold of him to be told he's on a plane, but could call when he lands if they leave a message, etc etc. cubs pretty much drafted him immediately. gallagher claimed to have dozens of messages on his phone when he landed and got a hold of his phone. cubs had snagged him by then. he didn't learn that til many messages in. heh...

i think the quality of talent in this draft can be summed up by the cubs taking a control issue/high velocity arm that's been used as a reliever, yet there's not many credible arguements (even at best, no slam dunks) you can point to saying "maaaaan!!! the cubs could have had _________ !"

If history is a guide, we won't have to worry about second-guessing. According to yesterdays' SunTimes, "In the 43-year history of the draft, the Cubs have picked 15th or lower 18 times, producing only two regular big-leaguers with those picks: shortstop Roger Metzger (16th in 1969), who was traded to Houston a year later, and Rafael Palmeiro (22nd, 1985), who had his big years with Texas and Baltimore."

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

However, history is NOT a reliable guide if there has been a substantial change in the organization in charge of the drafting of talent. Phil Wrigley & son were nigh incompetent in putting together a player development organization and there have been some significant changes since Andy the (penny-ante) Clown took his tired, low-budget, minor market act to Baltimore. The current group has not been in place the past 43 years. That's just the kind of mindless, non-analysis that tells us nothing but gives them something to help sell papers to bitter Sox fans.

Matt Cerda played catcher for the Oceanside Little League team that made it to the LLWS in 2001, so it probably wouldn't be too much of a stretch for him to go back there, especially if the Cubs move him before he becomes entrenched someplace else. If the Cubs would be willing to do it with Steve Clevenger (who had zero catching experience in his background), then moving Cerda to catcher should be a no-brainer. One thing for sure, the Cubs think nothing of trying players at a different position (but only as long as the player agrees). Cerda also grew two inches over the last year (he's now 5'10), and he's still only 17, so initial comparisons to Mike Fontenot may be premature.

Ryan "Flash" Flaherty hit 14 HR in just over 300 PA at Vandy in 2008, so he probably has at least Mark DeRosa-type power. He could develop even more power as he matures.

According to the U. of Cincinnati official statistics, Josh Harrison had 32 SB in only 59 games at Cincinnati in 2008, so he apparently has a little bit of speed. With the 25/20 BB/K in 282 PA, it sounds like he puts the ball in play a lot. I've never seen him play, but Harrison sounds a LOT like Tony Thomas to me.

I know it's random, but Cashner said he left HS at something like 5'9", and grew a ton in college. He's what, 6'5"-6'6" now? Cerda could definitely grow and fill out as he matures. He seems to be a decent hitting prospect at the moment, so if he can stick in either the middle IF or move to catcher, he could be a pretty solid pick. I'd actually prefer he gives SS a try first, but I think the Cubs have an idea of what to do with him.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • 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).