The Chicago Cubs promoted their fourth-ranked prospect, Moises Ballesteros, on May 12, as Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network reported. The move came in response to outfielder Ian Happ being placed on the injured list with an oblique injury.
Ballesteros, ranked No. 61 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list, signed with the Cubs as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2021 for $1.2 million. The 21-year-old left-handed hitter has split time at catcher, first base, and designated hitter throughout his minor league career.
He made his MLB debut as the designated hitter against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field on May 13, going 0-for-4.
Since signing in 2021, Ballesteros has steadily climbed the Cubs’ farm system. He debuted in the Dominican Summer League, reached Low-A Myrtle Beach by August 2022, and played at three minor league levels in 2023, finishing the season with Double-A Tennessee. He was promoted to Triple-A Iowa on June 18, 2024.
Ballesteros also impressed in the 2024 Arizona Fall League, hitting five home runs with 16 RBIs and a .933 OPS in 79 at-bats for the Mesa Solar Sox.
This season, he continued to shine at Triple-A, posting four home runs, 18 RBIs, and a .942 OPS in 136 at-bats before his call-up. Across his minor league career, Ballesteros has compiled 50 home runs, 218 RBIs, and a slash line of .288/.371/.459 in 1,371 at-bats.
His long-term position remains a question, as he’s appeared in 254 games as a catcher, 60 at first base, and 88 as a DH during his time in the minors.
