No. 2 prospect Ballesteros poised to step up for Cubs in '26

CHICAGO – The Cubs always felt that Moisés Ballesteros ’ skills in the batter’s box could carry him quickly up the organizational ladder. Even if there was still development left on the catching front, he was too good of a hitter to leave in the Minor Leagues for that reason alone.

That is why Ballesteros got the call to Chicago a few times last season when some of the lineup mainstays went down with injuries. And it is why the highly touted prospect – ranked by MLB Pipeline No. 2 on the Cubs’ Top 30 list and No. 53 in MLB – is poised to play a big role in the North Siders’ offense in 2026.

“He’s at the point where, if he can help the Major League team, he’s going to be in the Major Leagues,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said at the Winter Meetings. “There’s not an everyday catching job in the Major Leagues for him, but as we’re constructed right now, we’ve got room for at-bats.”

As things currently stand, the Cubs have veteran Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya set to return as the main two catchers for the ballclub next season. The 22-year-old Ballesteros would offer a third-string option, but could get plenty of plate appearances as a designated hitter. He also has limited experience at first base, offering another avenue for occasional at-bats.

The Cubs are prepared for the potential loss of star outfielder Kyle Tucker, who is a free agent this offseason and poised to land a lucrative contract. Without Tucker, Seiya Suzuki and rookie Owen Caissie (No. 1/No. 47) would offer options for right field and, along with Ballesteros, give Counsell multiple picks for the DH slot.

Ballesteros already offered a snapshot into what he can do as a Major League hitter, too.

“Moisés in September,” Counsell said, “he gave us the offensive production of Tucker, essentially.”

While Tucker was working his way back from a left calf injury in the season’s final month, the door opened for Ballesteros to get an extended run of at-bats. In 14 games in September, the rookie hit at a .333 (13-for-39) clip with a .999 OPS. On Sept. 14, Ballesteros launched his first career home run to left field, where it hit the hand of Cubs icon Anthony Rizzo in the bleachers.

After that game, Ballesteros said he was gaining confidence as he got more experience.

“I definitely feel more comfortable up there,” Ballesteros said via team translator Fredy Quevedo Jr. at the time. “I don’t feel as much pressure as I did before.”

Ballesteros got his first call to the Majors in mid-May – an emotional moment he shared with his parents after they arrived from Venezuela – when veteran Ian Happ landed on the injured list. He went hitless in his Major League debut on May 13 and was 1-for-12 through his first four games with the Cubs. From there, Ballesteros posted a 1.020 OPS in his next 16 games across the remainder of the season, earning a spot on Chicago’s playoff roster.

Overall, Ballesteros finished hitting .298/.394/.474 in 20 regular-season games for the Cubs, drawing nine walks (13.6% walk rate) against 12 strikeouts (18.2% strikeout rate) and ending with five extra-base hits and 11 RBIs. It was a similar showing to his 114 games with Triple-A Iowa, where he hit .316/.385/.473 with 13 homers, 29 doubles and 76 RBIs in ‘25.

The Cubs signed Ballesteros out of Venezuela in 2021 for a $1.2 million bonus and he flew up the system, reaching Triple-A as a 20-year-old in ‘24. He was more than six years younger than the average position player at that level at the time. In 182 career games in Triple-A, Ballesteros has thrived, hitting .303 with an .835 OPS.

Now, Ballesteros stands to play a big role in the Cubs’ lineup next season as the team continues to balance developing young players with planning for a playoff run.

“Young players, they have to get chances. They have to get chances,” Counsell said. “Look around the league. You have to give your young players opportunities. Your team is better for giving your young players opportunities. … They’re the guys that are going to improve as the season goes on and turn into better players, and then turn into very important players on your club.

“So, you have to be patient with those opportunities, and you have to create the opportunities for players like that – players of that caliber.”