CHICAGO -- Moises Ballesteros was playing video games on Monday night when Triple-A Iowa manager Marty Pevey gave him a call. The highly-touted catching prospect was informed that he was being promoted to the Cubs.
Fittingly, Ballesteros was playing MLB The Show when he got the news.
“My emotions,” Ballesteros said, “[I felt] like throwing the controller. I was in shock for like five minutes.”
Prior to Tuesday’s 5-4 walk-off win over the Marlins, Ballesteros spoke inside the Cubs’ dugout at Wrigley Field, preparing for his first actual day in The Show. With outfielder Ian Happ (left oblique strain) landing on the 10-day injured list, Chicago had a need for an additional bat and that just happens to be Ballesteros’ calling card.
The Cubs transferred righty Tyson Miller to the 60-day IL to vacate a spot on the 40-man roster for Ballesteros, who is Pipeline’s No. 4 Cubs prospect and No. 61 on the Top 100 list. Ballesteros finished 0-for-4 in his first day in the big leagues, and the catcher admitted to feeling nervous in his debut.
When the Cubs informed Ballesteros that he was being selected from Iowa, he was able to tell his parents, Harry and Andry, in person. They had recently arrived in Iowa from Venezuela to spend time watching him play at Triple-A. This was a welcomed change of plans for the family. They arrived in the United States from Venezuela on Monday to spend time watching him play at Triple-A. Leaving Iowa was a welcomed change of plans for the Ballesteros family, and the first time his parents got to see him play in the U.S.
“It’s my first time here,” Ballesteros said. “Wrigley Field is amazing. I’m really excited with my family here.”
The Cubs came into this season believing they had the depth -- both in the Major Leagues and among their upper-level prospects -- to withstand unexpected setbacks and still remain firmly in a postseason chase. That continues to be tested for the National League Central leaders.
Calling up Ballesteros comes shortly after the ballclub promoted its top pitching prospect, Cade Horton (No. 2/No. 35), from Iowa to help the pitching staff after lefty Shota Imanaga landed on the 15-day IL.
Through 34 games with Triple-A Iowa this season, the 21-year-old Ballesteros has slashed .368/.420/.522 with four home runs, seven doubles, one triple, 18 RBIs and 19 runs scored. He had drawn 12 walks, compared to 16 strikeouts, while spending the bulk of his time between catching and DH, plus one game logged at first base.
“He’s got a gift to hit,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “That’s what his real skill is, what his real talent is, what his gift is. And that’s impressive. It’s impressive to do. Every year, you look up and you’re saying, ‘He’s doing that at this age at that level.’ You can’t help but take notice. It’s not easy to do.”
Counsell indicated that Happ -- a three-time Gold Glove winner in left field -- went through a pregame workout on Monday to test his side, which he initially injured on a swing in his first at-bat on Friday against the Mets. While Happ got through the program, it was clear more rest and recovery was going to be required.
“It just felt like he was a little cautious, essentially,” Counsell said on Tuesday. “And he didn’t want to have to come in today, go through the same thing – can he play? Come in tomorrow, go through the same thing – can he play? This way, we feel like we can give him four or five days off here.”
Counsell said the hope is that Happ can ramp up activity by the weekend with “a shot” to make this a minimum stay on the IL.
The 30-year-old Happ has spent this season as the Cubs’ starter in left field and regular leadoff hitter, slashing .269/.364/.381 in 39 games. The switch-hitter has three home runs, nine doubles, 19 RBIs, 24 walks and 29 runs scored on the season.
With Happ out of the lineup for the last three games, Counsell has leaned on center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong as the leadoff man. Seiya Suzuki, in turn, has moved back to the outfield after spending the majority of his time as Chicago’s designated hitter. Counsell can better rotate players through the DH slot now with Ballesteros joining the fold.
The Cubs’ catching tandem consists of Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, who are both enjoying strong starts to this season for the North Siders. While Ballesteros has made strides defensively this season, the current plan is to utilize him as a DH. He will also spend time sitting in on meetings with Kelly and Amaya to begin learning under the Major League catchers.
“My nerves are just, it’s the first time in the big leagues,” Ballesteros said. “It’s the same game. It’s the same goals, for me.”
And what is the main goal?
“Stay here in The Show,” Ballesteros said with a smile.
Senior Reporter Jordan Bastian covers the Cubs for MLB.com. He previously covered Cleveland from 2011-18 and Toronto from 2005-10. Subscribe to his Cubs Beat newsletter.