Chicago Cubs prospect Moisés Ballesteros is expected to take on a significant role in 2026 after impressing in limited major league action last season. The 22-year-old catcher, now the team's top prospect, offers versatility as a designated hitter and backup catcher. Manager Craig Counsell praised his bat and potential impact on the lineup.
Moisés Ballesteros, a 22-year-old catcher, enters the 2026 season as MLB Pipeline’s top prospect for the Chicago Cubs and ranked No. 55 overall on the Top 100 list. He edges out teammate Jaxon Wiggins, ranked No. 58, as one of only two Cubs farmhands in the top rankings. Ballesteros demonstrated his readiness during a late-season stint with the major league club, particularly in September when outfielder Kyle Tucker suffered a right calf strain.
Manager Craig Counsell slotted the rookie into the starting lineup and batting cleanup for an extended period. “We kind of asked a lot of him,” Counsell said at Cubs Convention earlier this month. “You saw where he was hitting in the lineup at times. I think that is a sign of a lot of confidence in a young hitter. He showed us a lot.”
The trade of former top prospect Owen Caissie to the Miami Marlins for pitcher Edward Cabrera has opened opportunities for Ballesteros at designated hitter. He also provides depth behind catchers Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, with some experience at first base. “There’s a lot of ways to use him,” Counsell added. “His bat, he showed he can – at a young age – be a designated hitter. That bat is good enough to be a designated hitter. The catching thing, he’s going to catch more, for sure, this year. The offense and the left-handedness of the offense is something that we need.”
In 20 games with the Cubs last season, Ballesteros hit .298/.394/.474, with two home runs, two doubles, one triple, 11 RBIs, nine walks, and 12 runs scored. His September performance over 14 games was even stronger: .333 average, four extra-base hits, five RBIs, seven walks, nine runs, and a .999 OPS, aiding the team's playoff push.
This followed a solid Triple-A season with Iowa, where he slashed .316/.385/.473, hitting 13 home runs, 29 doubles, driving in 76 runs, with 49 walks against 67 strikeouts in 114 games. Counsell highlighted his plate skills: “There’s a lot of contact, and the ball went all over the field... He doesn’t have to pull a ball. It’s going everywhere with all types of pitches, and then there’s just a lot of contact. That’s generally just a good formula. Hits it hard. Those are all three really good things to do that make you tough to defend, and he’s doing it again at a really young age.”
Ballesteros noted that increased playing time helped him gain confidence at the plate.
