Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

37 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (three slots are open)

Last updated 11-17-2023
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 20
Adbert Alzolay 
Michael Arias
Javier Assad
Ben Brown
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
Porter Hodge
* Bailey Horn
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Daniel Palencia
Michael Rucker
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 8
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
* Matt Mervis
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Luis Vazquez
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 7
Kevin Alcantara
Alexander Canario
* Pete Crow-Armstrong
Brennen Davis
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman

 


Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs 2023 Arizona Instructional League Stats - Final

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

2023 Cubs Arizona Instructional League - Final Stats

There is no Official Scorer at AZIL games, so all stats are unofficial 

Arizona 
Scoring 
Service 

"Just because it isn't official doesn't mean it didn't happen" 

AZIL CUBS RECORD: 5-10-1 (16 games)

NOTE: Stats from AZIL Cubs intrasquad games are not included 
 

 


POSITION PLAYERS 

* bats left 
# bats both

"TRIPLE SLASH LINE" below position player's name = AVG/OBP/SLG  

NOTE: Position players are sorted by PLATE APPEARANCES (PA) 

QUALIFIED POSITION PLAYERS (minimum 16 PA in 2023 Arizona Instructional League games)  

NOTE: Only players with at least one PA for each Arizona Instructional League game played by AZIL Cubs can qualify as a team rate stat leader in a particular category.  
 

ADAN SANCHEZ - age 18 - 5'10 205 - Cubs 2022 IFA (Panama) 
263/300/368 (668 OPS / 105 ISO) 
40 PA (14 games)
10-38
1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 7 RUNS, 1 BB (3% walk-rate), 9 K (23% K-rate), 1 HBP, 1 SB (0 CS)
DEFENSE: C (10 games)  
CATCHERS DEFENSE: 4-17 CS (24%), 2 PB, 3 ERRORS (all three throwing errors to 2nd base)  
NOTE: Tied for team lead in RUNS with Hope... 

* ZYHIR HOPE - age 18 - 5'10 192 - Cubs 2023 11th round draft pick (Colonial Forge HS - Stafford, VA) 
265/333/471 (804 OPS / 206 ISO) 
39 PA (11 games) 
9-34 
0 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 7 RUNS, 3 BB (8% walk-rate), 12 K (31% K-rate), 1 HBP, 1 SF, 3 SB (2 CS) 
DEFENSE: LF (5 games), CF (3 games), and RF (3 games) 
ERRORS: 1 (missed catch while playing LF) 
NO OUTFIELD ASSISTS
NOTE: Led team in triples, and tied for team lead in RBI with Preciado, Lubo, and Escobar, and in RUNS with A. Sanchez... 

* JOSE ESCOBAR - age 19 (on 9/14) - 5'10 190 - Cubs 2022 IFA (Venezuela) 
147/211/206 (417 OPS / 59 ISO) 
38 PA (15 games) 
5-34
2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 3 RUNS, 2 BB (5% walk-rate), 6 K (16% K-rate), 1 SF, 3 GIDP, 0 SB (1 CS) 
DEFENSE: LF (6 games), CF (4 games), 3B (3 games), and SS (1 game) 
ERRORS: 1 (throwing error while playing 3B) 
OUTFIELD ASSISTS: 2 (one from CF, and one from LF) 
NOTE-1: Grounded into the most double plays and had the lowest (worst) OBP among the qualified players, but also had the lowest (best) K-rate and tied for the team lead in RBI with Preciado, Lubo, and Hope...
NOTE-2: Formerly exclusively an infielder, Escobar was moved to OF and played LF and CF the last four weeks of Instructs...  

* JEFFERSON ENCARNACION - age 22 - 6'1 205 - Phillies 2018 IFA (Dominican Republic) 
219/324/281 (605 OPS / 62 ISO) 
37 PA (14 games)
7-32 
2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4 RUNS, 4 BB (11% walk-rate), 10 K (27% K-rate), 1 HBP, 2 GIDP, 2 SB (1 CS)  
DEFENSE: RF (7 games) and LF (5 games)  
NO ERRORS
NO OUTFIELD ASSISTS 
NOTE-1: Tied for team lead in doubles with Preciado...  
NOTE-2: Was selected by Cubs from Phillies in AAA Phase of 2022 Rule 5 Draft... 

REGGIE PRECIADO -  age 20 - 6'4 185 - Padres 2019 IFA (Panama) 
333/405/636 (1.041 OPS / 303 ISO) 
37 PA (14 games)
11-33
2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 RUNS, 3 BB (8% walk-rate), 13 K (35% K-rate), 1 HBP, 2 GIDP, 2 SB (2 CS)  
DEFENSE: 3B (9 games), 2B (1 game), and SS (1 game)  
ERRORS: 2 (one fielding error and one throwing error, both while playing 3B)  
NOTE-1: Led team in AVG and SLG among the qualified players, and tied for team lead in doubles with Encarnacion, in HR with Bowser and Lubo, and in RBI with Hope, Lubo, and Escobar, and was second on the team in OBP...   
NOTE-2: Was acquired by Cubs from Padres as part of the Yu Darvish trade in December 2020...
NOTE-3: Was formerly a switch-hitter, but is now batting RH-only...  

ED HOWARD - age 21 - 6'1 195 - Cubs 2020 1st round draft pick (Mt. Carmel HS - Chicago, IL)
179/257/179 (436 OPS / 0 ISO)
35 PA (11 games) 
5-28 
0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 RUN, 3 BB (9% walk-rate), 11 K (31% K-rate), 1 HBP, 3 SF, 1 GIDP, 2 SB (0 CS)  
DEFENSE: SS (11 games) 
ERRORS: 1 (fielding error)  

ALFONSIN ROSARIO - age 19 - 6'0 220 - Cubs 2023 6th round draft pick (P27 Academy - Lexington, SC) 
133/229/200 (429 OPS / 67 ISO) 
35 PA (13 games) 
4-30 
0 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 RUN, 2 BB (6% walk-rate), 11 K (31% K-rate), 2 HBP, 1 SF 
DEFENSE: RF (7 games), CF (4 games), and LF (2 games) 
ERRORS: 1 (missed catch while playing LF) 
OUTFIELD ASSISTS: NONE 
NOTE-1: Older brother Eguy is an infielder with the San Diego Padres...  
NOTE-2: Attended HS in the U. S., but he is from the Dominican Republic...   
NOTE-3: Rosario's height is erroneously listed in numerous sites on the web as 6'6 210, but he actually is 6'0 220 (six inches shorter and ten pounds heavier!)... 

CARTER TRICE - age 21 - 5'11 186 - Cubs 2023 12th round draft pick (NC State) 
148/343/259 (602 OPS / 111 ISO) 
35 PA (12 games) 
4-27
0 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 RUNS, 7 BB (20% walk-rate), 8 K (23% K-rate), 1 HBP, 0 SB (1 CS) 
DEFENSE: C (8 games) 
CATCHERS DEFENSE: 2-14 CS (14%), 2 PB, 3 ERRORS (all three were throwing errors)   
NOTE-1: Began Instructs going 0-16 with seven strikeouts in his first eight AZIL games but then went 4-11 over his final four games... 
NOTE-2: Was drafted as an infielder but was converted to catcher at Instructs... 
NOTE-3: Was assigned to Mesa Solar Sox (AFL) Taxi Squad on 10/2... 

DREW BOWSER - age 22 (on 10/2) - 6'3 210 - Cubs 2023 20th round draft pick (Stanford) 
308/419/577 (996 OPS / 269 ISO) 
31 PA (11 games) 
8-26 
1 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 RUNS, 4 BB (13% walk-rate), 10 K (32% K-rate), 1 HBP, 1 SB (2 CS) 
DEFENSE: 1B (8 games), 3B (2 games), and 2B (1 game) 
ERRORS: 2 (both were throwing errors on attempted 3-1 putouts while playing 1B) 
NOTE: Led team in OBP and was second in SLG among qualified players, and tied for team lead in HR with Preciado and Lubo...

ALEXIS HERNANDEZ - age 18 - 6'1 155 - Cubs 2022 IFA (Dominican Republic) 
280/400/280 (680 OPS / 0 ISO)
30 PA (15 games) 
7-25
0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 RUNS, 5 BB (17% walk-rate), 13 K (43% K-rate), 4 SB (1 CS)
DEFENSE: 2B (9 games), SS (3 games), and 3B (1 game)
ERRORS: 2 (both were throwing errors, one while playing SS and the other while playing 2B)   
NOTE-1: Younger brother of Cristian Hernandez... 
NOTE-2: Led team in SB and had the highest (worst) K-rate 

CHRISTIAN OLIVO  - age 19 - 5'11 163 - Cubs 2021 17th round draft pick (Leadership Christian Academy - Guaynabo, PR) 
321/321/393 (614 OPS / 72 ISO) 
28 PA (10 games) 
9-28 
0 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2 RUNS, 0 BB (0% walk-rate), 7 K (25% K-rate), 1 HBP, 2 SB (2 CS)
DEFENSE: CF (5 games), 2B (2 games), SS (2 games), and RF (1 game)
ERRORS: 1 (fielding error while playing SS)
OUTFIELD ASSISTS: 1 (from CF)  
NOTE: Had the lowest (worst) walk-rate among the qualified players but was second in AVG...

GEURI LUBO - age 20 (on 9/24) - 6'2 185 - Cubs 2021 IFA (Dominican Republic)
261/320/522 (844 OPS / 261 ISO)
25 PA (11 games)
6-23
0 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 RUNS, 2 BB (8% walk-rate), 8 K (32% K-rate), 1 SB (0 CS)
DEFENSE: 2B (6 games), 3B (3 games), and SS (1 game)
ERRORS: 3 (one throwing error while playing SS, and two fielding errors while playing 2B)
NOTE: Tied for team lead in HR with Preciado and Bowser...  

* YAHIL MELENDEZ - age 18 (on 9/5) - 6'2 165 - Cubs 2023 7th round draft pick (B You Academy - Caguas, PR) 
167/400/278 (678 OPS / 111 ISO) 
25 PA (12 games) 
3-18
0 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 RUNS, 6 BB (24% walk-rate), 5 K (20% K-rate), 1 HBP, 1 SB (0 CS) 
DEFENSE: 2B (4 games), 3B (4 games), and SS (3 games) 
ERRORS: 2 (both were throwing errors while playing SS) 
NOTE: Led team in highest (best) walk-rate among the qualified players... 
 
* WALLY SOTO - age 20 - 5'6 170 - Cubs 2020 IFA (Dominican Republic)
211/375/211 (586 OPS / 0 ISO) 
24 PA (11 games) 
4-19
0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2 RUNS, 5 BB (21% walk-rate), 4 K (17% K-rate), 1 SB (0 CS) 
DEFENSE: C (6 games) and 1B (5 games)
ERRORS: 2 (both missed catch while playing 1st base) 
CATCHERS DEFENSE: 2-6 CS (33%), 1 PB 

LEONEL ESPINOZA - age 20 - 5'11 200 - Cubs 2020 IFA (Venezuela) 
158/227/158 (385 OPS / 0 ISO) 
23 PA (9 games) 
3-19 
0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2 RUNS, 1 BB (4% walk-rate), 6 K (26% K-rate), 1 HBP, 1 SF, 1 SH, 0 SB (1 CS) 
DEFENSE: CF (4 games), RF (3 games), and LF (2 games) 
ERRORS: NONE  
NOTE: Younger brother Ludwing is an infielder at the Cubs DSL academy... In

JOSH RIVERA - age 22 - 6'2 220 - Cubs 2023 3rd round draft pick (U. of Florida)
077/294/154
17 PA (5 games) 
1-13 
1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 RUN, 3 BB (17% walk-rate), 6 K (35% K-rate), 1 PO  
DEFENSE: 3B (2 games) 
ERRORS: NONE 
NOTE: Had the lowest AVG and SLG among the qualified players... 
 

NON-QUALIFIED POSITION PLAYERS (less than 16 PA in Arizona Instructional League games) 

CHRISTOPHER PACIOLLA - age 19 - 6'2 185 - Cubs 2022 3rd round draft pick (Temecula Valley HS - Temecula, CA) 
300/364/700 (1.064 OPS / 400 ISO) 
11 PA (6 games) 
3-10 
1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 RUNS, 1 BB (9% walk-rate), 1 K (9% K-rate)
DEFENSE:  2B (4 games), 3B (1 game), and SS (1 game)   
ERRORS: NONE 

BRIAN KALMER - age 23 - 6'2 220 - Cubs 2023 18th round draft pick (Gonzaga) 
100/100/100
10 PA (3 games)
1-10 
0 2B, 0 3B,. 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0- RUNS, 0 BB (0% walk-rate), 1 K (10% K-rate), 1 GIDP  
DEFENSE: 1B (2 games) and 3B (1 game) 
ERRORS: NONE 

FRANK HERNANDEZ - age 21 - 5'9 185 - Cubs 2019 IFA (Spain) 
000/000/000
9 PA (4 games)
0-9
0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 RUN, 0 BB (0% walk-rate), 2 K (22% K-rate), 2 GIDP 
DEFENSE: C (2 games) and 1B (2 games)
CATCHERS DEFENSE: 0-4 CS (0%) 
NO ERRORS 
NOTE-1: Formerly an OF, Frank has been in the Catcher Conversion Program since Extended Spring Training...
NOTE-2: Twin brother Omar is a catcher in the Royals organization...      

# JAIRO DIAZ - Age 19 - 5'10 180+ - Cubs 2021 IFA (Venezuela) 
200/333/200 (533 OPS / 0 ISO)
6 PA (3 games)
1-5 
0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 RUNS, 1 BB (17% walk-rate), 1 K (17% K-rate)  
DEFENSE: C (2 games) 
CATCHERS DEFENSE: 0-3 CS (0%), 3 PB  
ERRORS: 1 (throwing error to 2nd base) 
NOTE: Several sites have J. Diaz listed as a LH-hitter (only), but he is actually a switch-hitter. 

DAVID AVITIA - age 25 (on 9/20) -  5'9 205 - Cubs 2022 NDFA (Grand Canyon) 
000/500/000 
2 PA (1 game) 
0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 RUNS, 1 BB (50% walk-rate), 1 K (50% K-rate)  

 

 



PITCHERS: 

* throws left 

NOTE: Pitchers are sorted by INNINGS PITCHED (IP) 

QUALIFIED PITCHERS (minimum 5.1 IP thrown in 2023 Arizona Instructional League games) 

NOTE: Only pitchers who have thrown at least one inning for every three games played by AZIL Cubs can qualify as a team rate stat leader in a particular category 

DOMINIC HAMBLEY - age 20 - 6'2 214 - Cubs 2021 18th round draft pick (Belmont SS - Victoria, BC)  
9.69 ERA - 2.00 WHIP - .327 OppBA 
6 GAMES  
13.0 IP, 17 H, 17 R (14 ER), 9 BB, 15 K, 2 HBP, 0 HR, 2 WP, 1 GIDP, 12/8 GO/AO, 10.4 K/9, 6.2 BB/9, and he threw 59% strikes, and 19.9 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: 3 (one errant pick-off attempt, and the other two were errant throws to 1st base on attempted 1-3 putouts)
NOTE: Had the highest (worst) ERA among the qualified pitchers... 

JUAN BELLO - age 19 - 6'1 180 - Cubs 2022 IFA (Colombia) 
6.57 ERA - 1.22 WHIP - .229 OppBA 
5 GAMES (3 GS)
12.1 IP, 11 H, 9 R (9 ER), 4 BB, 14 K, 2 HBP, 1 HR, 1 BALK, 5/18 GO/AO, 10.2 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, and he threw 63% strikes and 16.1 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: NONE

ALFREDO ROMERO - age 20 - 6'3 180 - Cubs 2022 IFA (Dominican Republic)
0.75 ERA - 1.00 WHIP - .195 OppBA 
5 GAMES (2 GS) 
12.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 11 K, 1 HBP, 2 WP, 1 PO, 2 GIDP, 11/11 GO/AO, 8.3 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, and he threw 60% strikes and 16.4 pitches-per-inning  
ERRORS: NONE
NOTE: Had the lowest (best) ERA among the qualified pitchers...

LUIS DEVERS - age 23 - 6'2 225 - 2017 IFA (Dominican Republic) 
0.87 ERA - 0.82 WHIP - .176 OppBA 
3 GAMES (3 GS) 
10.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 12 K, 3 HBP, 0 HR, 2 GIDP, 7/9 GO/AO, 10.5 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, and he threw 63% strikes, and 13.7 pitches per inning  
ERRORS: NONE 
NOTE: Had the lowest (best) WHIP and the lowest (best) BB/9 and threw the fewest number of pitches-per-inning among the qualified pitchers...

MASON McGWIRE - age 19 - 6'3 193 - Cubs 2022 8th round draft pick (Capistrano Valley HS - Mission Viejo, CA)
2.79 ERA - 1.66 WHIP - .188 OppBA 
4 GAMES (3 GS) 
9.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R (3 ER), 10 BB, 15 K, 1 HBP, 0 HR, 2 GIDP, 6/5 GO/AO, 14.0 K/9, 9.3 BB/9, and he threw 52% strikes, and 19.1 pitches-per-inning
ERRORS: NONE 
NOTE: Had the highest (worst) BB/9 and threw the lowest % of strikes but also had the second highest K/9 (behind only Noriega) among the qualified pitchers... 

* CARLOS GARCIA - age 21 - 6'4 190++ - Cubs 2021 IFA (Cuba) 
6.75 ERA - 1.93 WHIP - .306 OppBA 
3 GAMES (2 GS)  
9.1 IP, 11 H, 8 R (7 ER), 7 BB, 11 K, 1 HBP, 1 HR, 2 WP, 7/7 GO/AO, 10.6 K/9, 6.8 BB/9, and he threw 61% strikes, and 18.2 pitches-per-inning  
ERRORS: 1 (errant pick-off attempt) 

* BRANDEN NORIEGA - age 22 - 6'1 180 - Cubs 2022 11th round draft pick (West Virginia - MLB Draft League)
4.82 ERA - 1.18 WHIP - .161 OppBA  
5 GAMES 
9.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R (5 ER), 6 BB, 17 K, 4 HBP, 2 WP, 1 BALK, 1 GIDP, 6/3 GO/AO, 16.4 K/9, 5.8 BB/9, and he threw 55% strikes and 20.1 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: NONE
NOTE: Had the highest (best) K/9 and the lowest (best) OppBA and threw the most pitches-per-inning among the qualified pitchers...  

YENRRI ROJAS - age 19 - 6'1 200 - Cubs 2021 IFA (Dominican Republic) 
5.79 ERA - 2.14 WHIP - .421 Opp BA 
4 GAMES (2 GS)  
9.1 IP, 16 H, 7 R (6 ER), 4 BB, 5 K, 0 HR, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 10/7 GO/AO, 4.8 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, and he threw 63% strikes and 18.5 pitches-per-inning  
ERRORS: NONE
NOTE: Had the highest (worst) WHIP and the highest (worst) oppBA among the qualified pitchers... 

LUIS A. REYES - age 19 - 6'3 235 - Cubs 2021 IFA (Dominican Republic) 
4.70 ERA - 1.70 WHIP - .240 OppBA 
4 GAMES 
7.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R (4 ER), 7 BB, 4 K, 2 HBP, 1 HR, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 7/8 GO/AO, 4.7 K/9, 8.2 BB/9, and he threw 52% strikes, and 16.7 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: 1 (missed catch on attempted 3-1 putout)  


NON-QUALIFIED PITCHERS (threw less than 5.1 IP in Arizona Instructional League games): 

KENTEN EGBERT - age 22 - 6'3 205 - Cubs 2023 NDFA (Miami University - Ohio) 
0.00 ERA - 0.69 WHIP - .133 OppBA 
3 GAMES 
4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 4 K, 3/6 GO/AO, 8.3 K.9, 2.1 BB/9, and he threw 55% strikes and 14.8 pitches-per-inning
ERRORS: NONE

WILL SANDERS - age 21 - 6'6 225 - Cubs 2023 4th round draft pick (U. of South Carolina)
4.15 ERA - 0.69 WHIP - .200 OppBA 
3 GAMES (1 GS) 
4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 BALK, 7/1 GO/AO, 8.3 K/9, 0 BB/9, and he threw 64% strikes and 12.7 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: NONE

LUIS MARTINEZ-GOMEZ - age 20 - 6'2 175 -  Cubs 2023 10th round draft pick (Temple JC) 
11.25 ERA - 2.50 WHIP - .411 OppBA 
3 GAMES
4.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R (5 ER), 3 BB, 3 K, 2 HBP, 1 GIDP, 4/3 GO/AO, 6.8 K/9, 6.8 BB/9, and he threw 54% strikes and 23.3 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: 1 (errant pick-off attempt)

NICK DEAN - age 22 - 6'5 195 - Cubs 2023 19th round draft pick (U. of Maryland) 
2.45 ERA - 1.09 WHIP - .091 OppBA 
3 GAMES
3.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 5 K, 2/3 GO/AO, 12.3 K/9, 7.4 BB/9, and he threw 54% strikes and 19.4 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: NONE

SHANE MARSHALL - age 23 - 6'4 225 - 2022 Cubs 14th round draft pick (U. of Georgia)
0.00 ERA - 1.00 WHIP - .111 OppBA 
3 GAMES
3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 2/4 GO/AO, 6.0 K/9, 6.0 BB/9, and he threw 59% strikes and 13.7 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: NONE
NOTE: Marshall was a catcher in college, and he is being converted to a RHP by the Cubs...

* CHASE WATKINS - age 23 - 6'4 215 - Cubs 2021 9th round draft pick (Oregon State)
0.00 ERA - 0.33 WHIP - .111 OppBA 
2 GAMES
3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 3/2 GO/AO, 9.0 K/9, 0 BB/9, and he threw 75% strikes and 9.3 pitches-per-inning
ERRORS: NONE

GABRIEL AGRAZAL - age 20 (on 9/10) - 6'1 185 - Cubs 2021 IFA (Panama) 
0.00 ERA - 0.00 WHIP - .000 Opp BA 
1 GAME 
2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 0 HR, 3/2 GO/AO, 4.5 K/9, 0 BB/9, and he threw 76% strikes and 10.5 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: NONE

GARRETT BROWN - age 23 - 6'7 220 - 2022 Cubs 18th round draft pick (U. of Georgia) 
0.00 ERA - 1.50 WHIP - .250 OppBA 
1 GAME 
2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 3/1 GO/AO, 9.0 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, and he threw 58% strikes and 19.0 pitches-per-inning  
ERRORS: NONE

JEREMIAH ESTRADA - age 24 - 6'1 185+ - Cubs 2017 6th round draft pick (Palm Desert HS - Palm Desert, CA) 
4.50 ERA - 2.0 WHIP - .143 OppBA 
2 GAMES 
2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 5 K, 2 WP, 0/1 GO/AO, 22.5 K/9, 13.5 BB/9, and he threw 49% strikes and 25.5 pitches-per-inning  
ERRORS: NONE

LANDON GINN - age 22 - 6'3 223 - 2023 Cubs NDFA (East Carolina)
0.00 ERA - 0.00 WHIP - .000 OppBA 
2 GAMES
2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 4/2 GO/AO, 4.5 K/9, 0 BB/9, and he threw 77% strikes and 15.0 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: 1 (errant throw to 1st base attempting a 1-3 putout) 

TY JOHNSON - age 22 (on 9/25) - 6'6 205 - 2023 Cubs 15th round draft pick (Ball State) 
0.00 ERA - 2.00 WHIP - .286 OppBA 
2 GAMES 
2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 9.0 K/9, 9.0 BB/9. and he threw 53% strikes and 19.0 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: NONE

KOEN MORENO - age 22 - 6'1 185 - Cubs 2020 5th round draft pick (Panther Creek HS - Cary, NC) 
4.50 ERA - 3.00 WHIP - .400 OppBA 
1 GAME 
2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/AO, 2 GIDP, 4.5 K/9, 18.0 BB/9, and he threw 48% strikes and 26.0 pitches-per-inning  
ERRORS: NONE

SCARLYN LEBRON - age 21 - 6'3 225 - Cubs 2021 IFA (Dominican Republic) 
9.00 ERA - 2.00 WHIP - .250 OppBA 
1 GAME 
1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 0 HR, 0/3 GO/AO, 0.0 K/9, 9.0 BB/K, and he threw 44% strikes, and 18.0 pitches-per-inning  
ERRORS: NONE 

KEVIN VALDEZ - age 21 - 6'4 225 - Cubs 2021 IFA (Dominican Republic)
0.00 ERA - 0.00 WHIP - .000 OppBA 
1 GAME 
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/AO, 18.0 K/9, 0 BB/9, and he threw 69% strikes and 13.0 pitches-per-inning
ERRORS: NONE

* DANIEL BROWN - age 20 - 6'3 200 - Cubs 2023 16th round draft pick (Campbell University)  
54.00 ERA - 9.00 WHIP - .000 OppBA 
1 GAME 
0.1 IP, 0 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 0 K, 3 WP, 1/0 GO/AO, 0 K/9, 81.0 BB/9, and he threw 7% strikes and 42.0 pitches-per-inning 
ERRORS: NONE
NOTE: D. Brown was a two-way player in college (OF / LHP), and the Cubs are converting him to a full-time pitcher

RAINO CORAN - age 21 - 6'4 233 - Cubs 2021 IFA (Curacao)
INFINITY ERA/INFINITY WHIP/1.000 OppBA 
2 GAMES
0.0 IP, 5 H, 11 R (11 ER), 7 BB, 0 K, 2 WP, and he threw 32% strikes 
ERRORS: NONE 
NOTE: Coran is being converted from an outfielder to a RHP, with the process having been started toward the end of Extended Spring Training...

Tags
Cubs AZ Instructional League

Comments

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 10/10/2023 - 10:08 pm

BRADSBEARD: Because DSL players are not eligible to join the MLBPA, clubs were reluctant to bring players up from the DSL for instructs. 

Besides having to pay DSL players at the ACL/FCL rate for the time they are at Instructs, any DSL player participating in Instructs would have had to be added to the club's minor league Domestic Reserve List, and once added to the DRL, a player cannot be sent back to the International Reserve List (IRL) and play in the DSL. 

That's why the Cubs did not invite any of their DSL players to Instructs this year. In previous seasons, the Cubs would always bring up as many as a dozen DSL players to post-season Instructs, without having to add the player to the DRL, and with the possibility that the player could be sent back to the DSL the next season. So instead, the Cubs DSL players are remaining at the Dominican Academy and are participating in DSL post-season Instructs in  October-November. 

That's why Cubs top DSL prospects like Derniche Valdez, Angel Cepeda, and Ludwing Espinoza (Leonel's younger  brother) were not at post-season AZ Instructs this year, when in previous years they almost certainly would have been.

I know that the Dodgers did invite several of their better DSL prospects to Camelback Ranch during Instructs, but they were not allowed to play in games, or even to participate in backfield Camp Day workouts. They were permitted to participate only in off-field activities (orientation, nutrition, ESL classes, etc).

I don't know yet if the Cubs will be inviting their best DSL prospects to Minor League Camp in March (which would require adding the players to the DRL), but I would think there will almost certainly be some guys who played in the DSL in 2023 at Extended Spring Training in 2024, especially the ones who are considered to be too old for the DSL, plus two or three catchers, and maybe two or three of the best DSL prospects like Valdez, Cepeda, and/or Espinoza.

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 10/14/2023 - 10:49 pm

brandon woodruff (MIL) had shoulder surgery and is expected to miss most of 2024.

dude has dominated the cubs in his career (18 games, 16 starts, 86.1ip of 3.13era/0.99whip), but oddly only has 2 wins to show for it.

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Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Sun, 10/15/2023 - 10:49 am

That could very likely signal the end of the Brewers current competitive window. 2024 is the last year for Burnes Woodruff and Peralta, as well as Adames. I believe even their #4 SP Houser is going into his last year. Williams has only 2 more years. Some of their younger players looked decent and they have Chourio coming up but their next window probably doesn’t start next year. 

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Submitted by crunch on Sun, 10/15/2023 - 10:28 pm

speaking of competitive windows...the current braves team is going to haunt MLB for a long time.  all these guys are signed through (or have team options covering) these years...

orlando arcia - 2026

ozzie albies - 2027

ronald acuna - 2028

sean murphy + specener strider - 2029

matt olsen - 2030

michael harris - 2032

austin riley - 2033

Recent comments

  • Finwe Noldaran (view)

    Arizona P:

    You hit the nail on the head, there's really no major player that we need to do special wheeling and dealing and signing to accommodate a small window while they're in their prime; we need to look at this year as a year of fleshing things out and transitioning/moving into our window of contention, and focus our effort  on extending that window for years and years, not throwing everything desparately at a short window.......

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    If the Cubs do move Matt Shaw to 1st base and don't sign or acquire in a trade any position players or pitchers in the meantime (or at least nobody for more than one year), this could be the Cubs Opening Day lineup in 2025: 

    1. PCA, CF 
    2. Hoerner, 2B 
    3, Happ, LF 
    4. Suzuki, RF 
    5. Shaw, 1B 
    6. Morel/Caissie, DH 
    7. Swanson, SS  
    8. Amaya/Ballesteros, C 
    9. Murray, 3B 

    BENCH: 
    Canario, OF 
    Mastrobuoni or Vazquez, INF  

    STARTING PITCHERS:
    Steele 
    Taillon
    Horton 
    Wicks 
    Assad, Brown, Wesneski, Kilian, Powell, Birdsell, or ?  

    BULLPEN: 
    Alzolay 
    Palencia 
    L. Little
    Cuas  
    Horn  
    Roberts 
    Martin 
    Hodge 

    Also, Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter Jr would be under club control (via arb) through 2026 but they are both out of minor league options, and Michael Rucker and Keegan Thompson will be out of minor league options after next season, so their value as shuttle guys would be greatly diminished due to loss of fungibility.  

    James Triantos, Jefferson Rojas, or Pedro Ramirez (2B), Kevin Alcantara (RF), Morel, Caissie, Canario, Brennen Davis, Christian Franklin, or Zyhir Hope (LF), Matt Mervis, Haydn McGeary, or Brian Kalmer (DH), and Assad, Brown, Wesneski, Powell, Birdsell, Jackson Ferris, Drew Gray, Michael Arias, Brody McCullough, Will Sanders, or ? (SP) can replace Hoerner, Happ, Suzuki, and Taillon when their contracts expire after the 2026 season. 

    At least that would be my master plan going forward (very much subject to change, of course), again presuming the Cubs don't sign or acquire any position players or SP or closer who would be signed beyond the 2024 season. 

    The only thing is, if the Cubs did it this way (going in-house rather than signing free agents to lengthy contracts or trading for established players or pitchers), the Cubs would (at least temporarily) probably project as a 70-75 win team in 2024 and would probably be "sellers" at the Trade Deadline, looking to move Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Yan Gomes, Patrick Wisdom, Nick Madrigal, Mike Tauchman (and probably Merryweather, and Leiter, too), that is unless they can sign free agents or acquire guys who would not be signed beyond 2024 (or at the very least not beyond 2026, when the Happ-Hoerner-Suzuki-Taillon window closes) who might be able to help keep them in playoff contention in 2024. 

    The Cubs farm system is absolutely loaded. There are probably at least a half-dozen small market MLB clubs (KC, OAK, MIA, STL, COL, and MIN) plus the White Sox and the Angels that would kill to have the Cubs minor league system as it presently exists. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    If I was the Cubs, I would be working Matt Shaw at 1st base before I'd move Christopher Morel there. A Shaw comp is Steve Garvey (a plus hitter with loud contact and a solid glove but a rag arm). 

    In fact I wish the Cubs had worked Shaw at 1st base at Instructs or assigned him to the AFL to play 1st base, but for some reason he did not attend Instructs and was not assigned to the AFL. 

    If he can learn to play 1st base, Shaw could be in Wrigley by mid-2024, maybe even sooner. 

    Shaw is a first-baseman waiting to happen. 

    And I still believe Christopher Morel will be traded as part of a package to acquire a SP, so that he can play LF (the position scouts say he should play).   

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds signing Jeimer Candelario should allow them to package two or three of their infielders in a deal for Tyler Glasnow. 

  • Finwe Noldaran (view)

    crunch:

    If he's half as good as how much he made me irritated when the camera would pan to him in the dugout during games while he was playing, we'll be alright............

  • Finwe Noldaran (view)

    Arizona P:

    Totally agree. I was really wanting the Cubs to be sellers, and while hindsight is 20/20, that looks as though it may have been the best option; although, part of the reason they decided not to be sellers may have been what some of the returns we're going to be, so my thoughts are merely speculation based on lack of insight into the specifics of conversations leading up to the deadline. I find myself wanting us to allow the prospects to develop and play meaningful roles on the big league team, as I feel that we have quite a few that will become good if not prayerfully great players, but if we trade them away or sign players to fill their positions in a desperate attempt to contend now, I'm left wondering if approaching this year as a transition year, while giving some prospects time in the minors and then bringing them up to see what we have in them, and maybe looking at next year (2025) as more of a contention point may be the way to go, and may even be a catalyst in the long-term development of the consistency in contending that the franchise needs and letting things happen organically, rather than pressing or trying to control things and making a flurry of moves?

    Irrespective, I think Counsel was a great choice for manager, now we just need to add some charging stations at Wrigley, maybe where the garage was?

  • Finwe Noldaran (view)

    Arizona P:

    Just saw crunch saying Candelario went to the Reds, I also was wanting to avoid the retread market or losing a draft pick.......

  • Finwe Noldaran (view)

    Arizona P:

    Totally agree, I was inferring the latter portion of my comment, and agree with your assessment that it's similar to last year; just headscratching............

  • crunch (view)

    it is taking more than a minute for me to get used to craig counsell being the cubs manager.

    he's going to take the field on opening day at wrigley and get massively cheered.

    that is weird.  that's a thing that's happening, though.

    history aside, while i am horrified at the amount of money they're paying him, i welcome his style of management over what d.ross has given the team.  love d.ross and how chill + ready to deliver he kept the team, but he had a serious pitching short-hook problem that exhausted the pen and some very questionable bench/pinch-hitting use.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    FINWE N: If you go by what Counsell did with the Brewers, he is much more likely to go with younger players than Ross was. I think part of it was that Ross was a "veteran players manager," meaning he was well liked and respected by veteran players because he was inclined to play them over younger unproven guys. 

    And that actually might have been OK if the Cubs had been "sellers"at the trade deadline (as they clearly had planned to be before suddenly deciding to go fr it), because Ross would have played the veterans a lot the first four months of the season (which would have maximized their trade value), and then Ross would have had no choice but to play the younger guys the last two months after the veterans were traded. 

    But of course it didn't work out that way. 

    One thing about Craig Counsell that might have attracted Hoyer to him is that Counsel is very "collaborative" as a manager and welcomes and even demands lots of input from the analytics department. In fact I have heard tell that Counsell knows at least as much as the geeks know and that he routinely goes to them for information rather than waiting for it to be offered. So think of Ross as a Chevy pick-up truck, while Counsell is a Tesla. 

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