Wednesday afternoon, the Cubs announced their 2019 spring training non-roster list, which comprises 27 players. Here’s the complete list.
Catchers (3)
Francisco Arcia, P.J. Higgins, Ian Rice
Infielders (5)
Cristhian Adames, Ryan Court, Phillip Evans, Trent Giambrone, Zack Short
Outfielders (5)
Jim Adduci, Charcer Burks, Johnny Field, Jacob Hannemann, Evan Marzilli
Pitchers (14)
Alberto Baldonado, Christian Bergman, Craig Brooks, Matt Carasiti, Ian Clarkin, George Kontos, Dakota Mekkes, Carlos Ramirez, Colin Rea, Duncan Robinson, Rob Scahill, Junichi Tazawa, Allen Webster, Mike Zagurski
None of these players have any real chance of making the Opening Day roster, though some of them will likely play for the big-league team at some point during 2019. They are here to provide rest for the regulars and to play in the split-squad games (there are four such dates this spring). I am a bit surprised to not see Nico Hoerner on this list, but he might wind up getting some chances anyway, as in recent years players have been brought over from the minor-league camp to play in major-league spring games. I will definitely be interested to see Giambrone play; he could be the next David Bote.
Many of the pitchers listed will be in competition to see who goes on the Iowa Shuttle this season.
The 27 non-roster invitees, plus the full 40-man roster (and Addison Russell, who will be in camp but is on the restricted list), will bring the total number of players in camp to 68, which is the largest number of players I can remember in camp in any recent year. Last year the Cubs issued 22 non-roster invites.
Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report Tuesday, February 12 with the first pitcher/catcher workout the following day, Wednesday, February 13. The first full-squad workout will be Monday, February 18, and the first spring-training game will be against the Brewers at Sloan Park Saturday, February 23.