ANAHEIM – The Angels today acquired C/DH Moisés Ballesteros and minor league RHP Mason McGwire from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for RHP Ryan Zeferjahn.
Ballesteros, 22, entered 2026 ranked as the #1 prospect in the Cubs system by MLB Pipeline, and was named the #62 overall prospect in baseball by Baseball America in 2025 prior to his Major League debut. He has appeared in 47 games at designated hitter and in eight games as catcher in the Majors this season, and has a .949 fielding percentage in 133.1 innings behind the plate in Triple-A. With runners on base, Ballesteros has batted .279 (17/61) with an .825 OPS, and has hit .313 (5/16) with a 1.041 OPS with runners in scoring position and two outs. Additionally, Ballesteros batted .382 (21/55) with 10 extra base hits, 14 RBI, and a 1.172 OPS in 22 games in April.
The Los Teques, Venezuela native made his MLB debut with the Cubs on May 13, 2025, and batted .298 (17/57) with a .868 OPS in 20 games in his first Major League season. He was originally signed by Chicago (N.L.) as an international free agent in January 2021.
McGwire, 22, is currently ranked as the Cubs #18 overall prospect and seventh-best pitcher by MLB Pipeline. McGwire has made 18 appearances (11 starts) between Low-A Myrtle Beach and High-A South Bend this season, going 3-4 with a 3.64 ERA (59.1 IP – 24 ER) and 72 strikeouts. The right-handed pitcher posted a 2.40 ERA (30.0 IP – 8 ER) with 45 strikeouts across 10 appearances with Myrtle Beach to begin his third professional season before being promoted.
The Irvine, CA native was originally selected by the Cubs in the eighth round of 2022 Draft out of Capistrano Valley HS. He is the son of 12-time All-Star Mark McGwire, who appeared in 16 Major League seasons between 1986-2001 with the Athletics and Cardinals.
Zeferjahn, 28, has posted a 4-3 record with four saves, a 3.66 ERA (51.2 IP – 21 ER) and 75 strikeouts in 45 appearances for the Angels this season. He was acquired by the Angels from Boston on July 30, 2024 and has totaled a 10-8 record with six saves, a 3.94 ERA (125.2 IP – 55 ER) and 166 strikeouts in 119 games for the Angels across parts of three seasons.
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