Emerging Talent Ballesteros Poised for Imminent Success with the Chicago Cubs
Swinging His Way to the Big Leagues: Moises Ballesteros' Journey
At just 5-foot-8 and 215 pounds, Moises Ballesteros might not stand out in a crowd of 21-year-old males. But put a bat in his hands, and he's a force to be reckoned with. The Chicago Cubs saw his potential and plucked him as a 16-year-old in 2020, awarding him a $1.2 million signing bonus.
The team has been watching him climb the ranks, with impressive results. During his first spring camp with the big-league team this year, he hit .350 (7-for-20) with 2 homers and 3 RBI in 10 games. Those numbers caught the attention of manager Craig Counsell, who said, "We know he can hit."
Counsell sent Ballesteros to the minor-league camp on March 9, but he quickly showcased his skills in the Spring Breakout game against Los Angeles Angels prospects. Ballesteros went 2-for-4 with a run and RBI, and impressively, he went 1-for-2 in throwing out runners.
Defense is a priority for the Venezuelan, and he was sent to the 2024 Arizona Fall League to work on it. In 13 games behind the plate, he had only one error, one passed ball, and tossed out 7 of 23 (23%) of basestealers.
Ballesteros isn't just about defense, though. He can hit, too. In 19 games, which included time as a designated hitter, he had 5 homers, 4 doubles, 16 RBI, and a .317 average.
He spent his winter doing agility work, strength training, and Pilates to get into better shape. He's gearing up for a potential major league debut this summer if the Cubs need more offense. Improved work behind the plate could also secure him some time there, especially if Miguel Amaya or Carson Kelly gets hurt.
Catcher isn't just about catching and throwing the ball; it's about understanding the nuances of pitchers, calling pitches, and framing them for strikes. The Cubs aren't rushing Ballesteros, preferring to let him work, work, work on defense every day in the minors and see what happens.
Yogi Berra and Ivan Rodriguez: Short and Mighty
Ballesteros may be short and stocky, but he's not alone in that category among great catchers. Two of the best, Yogi Berra and Ivan Rodriguez, were also petite.
Lawrence Peter Berra, who got his memorable nickname from a teammate who thought he looked like a "yogi from India sitting with his legs crossed," played at 5-7, 185 pounds. He had an impressive career, striking out only 414 times in 8,364 at-bats, with 358 homers and 1,430 RBI.
Ivan Rodriguez, nicknamed "Pudge" for his 5-9, 210-pound frame, was signed by the Texas Rangers out of Puerto Rico in 1988 at 16. He never stopped hitting, and three years later, he was in the majors. He stayed there for 21 years, batting .296 in 2,543 games and winning 13 gold gloves.
Moises Ballesteros' Future
The future is bright for Ballesteros. If his hitting continues to impress, it could force a change in the Cubs' plans. Patience is the key, though; the team intends to work, work, work on his defense until he's ready for the big leagues. Fans are eager to see him play, but they'll be happier to see him combine solid defense with his powerful swing a bit later than sooner.
Enrichment Data (Incorporated Sparingly)
- Moises Ballesteros currently ranks No. 44 among MLB's top prospects (previously No. 68) 1.
- In 2024, Ballesteros played 68 games at Triple-A Iowa, posting a .281/.340/.454 slash line with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs 1.
- Ballesteros is versatile, having some experience playing first base in addition to catching 1.
- Ballesteros' continued development and the Cubs' depth chart will determine when he makes his MLB debut 1.
- Moises Ballesteros, similar to MLB legends Yogi Berra and Ivan Rodriguez, stands out as a short and powerful player, with a stature of 5-foot-8 and 215 pounds.
- Ballesteros' bat is likely to be a key component of the MLB pipeline, especially considering his impressive batting average of .317 in the 2024 Arizona Fall League.
- As Ballesteros improves his defense, he is likely to join the ranks of these legendary catchers, combining average with a powerful swing in the major leagues. [eafed8fb17a11ccc0876584813795c14]
