Joining the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Low-A) and South Bend Cubs (High-A), the Triple-A Iowa Cubs have today announced their initial roster for the season that begins on Tuesday.
Unlike those rosters, you won’t find an overload of traditional prospects, as the Cubs’ primary depth there is at the lowest levels – such is the nature of their utilization of the farm system over the past five years. Instead, you’ll find mostly the guys you’re already acquainted with from the alternate site, which has been operating largely as the organization’s Triple-A club already.
There are no huge surprises here, save perhaps for the lack of Pedro Strop. I wonder if he’s got an opt-out right and the Cubs are sorting out how/when to put him on the 40-man roster. I hope it’s not an injury situation.
I see only four clear starting pitchers on the roster, which means we’ll either see someone at minor league spring training making a delayed start to the season, or some of the relievers will be going longer. It would surprise me if a spot in the “rotation” is being held out for a Shelby Miller rehab outing or three. Tyson Miller figures to come back at some point, too.
Just about the only prospect-type guys who were at the alternate site but aren’t opening at Triple-A are either in the big leagues now, or are reliever Manny Rodriguez and first baseman Alfonso Rivas, each of whom would’ve been skipping Double-A in order to open at Triple-A. So, assuming they are healthy, it’d be fine for them to open at Tennessee.
Triple-A Iowa Cubs
Starting Pitchers
Cory Abbott
Ben Holmes
Kohl Stewart
Keegan Thompson
Relief Pitchers
Jason Adam
Joe Biagini
Jake Jewell
Ryan Meisinger
Dakota Mekkes
Adam Morgan
Tommy Nance
Michael Rucker
Kyle Ryan
Robert Stock
Brad Wieck
Catchers
Taylor Gushue
P.J. Higgins
Jose Lobaton
Infielders
Sergio Alcantara
Abiatal Avelino
Trent Giambrone
Andrew Romine
Ildemaro Vargas
Patrick Wisdom
Outfielders
Nick Martini
Cameron Maybin
Ian Miller
Rafael Ortega