Cubs make roster cuts - and some of the team's biggest prospects are included

The Chicago Cubs began the week with 62 players on the roster but on Friday they trimmed it down to 50 with a handful of expected (if a little disappointing) cuts. 

Essentially it broke down into three categories:

1. Optioned to Triple-A Iowa

Right-handed pitcher Ben Brown, infielder Luis Vazquez and outfielders Pete Crow-Armstrong and Brennen Davis were the four that were optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Brown and Crow-Armstrong will almost certainly reach Chicago at some point in 2024 after some more seasoning in Des Moines.

2. Optioned to Double-A Tennessee

Right-handed pitchers Michael Arias and Porter Hodge as well as outfielder Kevin Alcantara were all optioned to Double-A Tennessee. None of the three were expected to make the Opening Day roster, so these were all expected moves.

3. Assigned to Minor League camp

Finally, right-handed pitchers Ethan Roberts and Riley Thompson as well as catcher Pablio Aliendo, infielder Matt Shaw and outfielder Owen Caissie were all non-roster invitees (they weren’t on the 40-man roster going into camp unlike the aforementioned seven players) and they’ve been assigned to minor league camp moving forward. 

Cubs' impressive prospect depth on display in these roster cuts

There was a lot to like from these players so far in spring training, but that just shows how good of a roster the Cubs have going into Opening Day and how loaded their farm system is. 

Owen Caissie was hitting an insane .435/.500/.696 this spring, Matt Shaw has looked extremely comfortable at third base and has continued to show his propensity to hit for extra bases and even Brennen Davis looked like he may be coming back to form before being placed on the concussion protocol.

It’s not going to be too long before we’re looking at these guys making a real difference at Wrigley, but for now we can watch them beat up on the players at minor league camp.