Moises Ballesteros

21-Year-Old CatcherC
Chicago Cubs AAA
2025 Fantasy Outlook
A 5-foot-8, 200-pound catcher who many evaluators expect to be limited to first base or designated hitter, Ballesteros' bat is essentially big-league ready. Ballesteros slashed .286/.352/.469 with an 18.3 percent strikeout rate and 19 home runs in 124 games across Double-A and Triple-A as a 20-year-old, and if Ballesteros played good defense anywhere on the field, he'd be a much safer and alluring prospect. He looks like a less doughy Alejandro Kirk, and his athleticism, framing, blocking and throwing are all below-average relative to a typical big-league catcher. The Cubs will surely keep trying to develop Ballesteros into a passable defensive catcher, as finding at-bats for him at first base or designated hitter could be tricky when the Cubs are at full strength. However, those in dynasty leagues should be aware that he may lose catcher eligibility in the next couple years. On the slight chance he retains catcher eligibility while getting a lot of run at DH, then his dynasty managers will have hit the jackpot. Read Past Outlooks
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From Preseason
$Signed a contract with the Cubs in January of 2021.
Success carrying over at Triple-A
CChicago Cubs  AAA
June 28, 2024
Ballesteros is hitting .394 with one home run in eight games since being promoted from Double-A Tennessee to Triple-A Iowa on June 18.
ANALYSIS
Most evaluators are low on Ballesteros' defense behind the plate, otherwise the 20-year-old would easily profile as Chicago's catcher of the future. He threw out only nine percent of base stealers this season at Double-A, and physically, the only big-league catcher he resembles is Alejandro Kirk. Ballesteros, who is listed at 5-foot-7, 195 pounds, is one of the most natural hitters in the minors. It's his premium hit tool and above-average power that will get him to the majors in some role, perhaps between catcher, first base and designated hitter.
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More Fantasy News
Reaches Double-A at 19
CChicago Cubs  AAA
September 19, 2023
Ballesteros was promoted from High-A South Bend to Double-A Tennessee on Sept. 12.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Defensive improvements needed
CChicago Cubs  AAA
August 14, 2024
Ballesteros isn't expected to be a significant contributor for the Cubs in 2025 due to his defensive deficiencies, per Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic.
ANALYSIS
Chicago is in need of an upgrade behind the plate, but Ballesteros isn't expected to be a solution in the near future. The 20-year-old has an .854 OPS between the Double-A and Triple-A levels this season -- which is especially impressive given his age -- but he still has significant work to do behind the plate in order to be an option for the major-league club.
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