Report: Cubs Calling Up Top Prospect Moises Ballesteros
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs are calling up top prospect Moises Ballesteros. Seiya Suzuki will now likely become the left fielder, meaning Ballesteros can get a valuable amount of playing time as the designated hitter. If the game isn’t particularly close, giving Ballesteors some opportunities at catcher could prove helpful as well.
Breaking News – The Cubs will call up C/ DH Moises Ballesterous from Triple A Iowa. He will likely be in the starting lineup tomorrow. Ian Happ to go on IL with oblique issue.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) May 13, 2025
Ballesteros currently has a .942 OPS in AAA Iowa, posting a .368 average in 136 at-bats. The left-handed slugger recorded a 19-game hitting streak earlier this season, one of the best offensive stretches in Iowa Cubs history. MLB Pipeline has ranked Ballesteros as the 61st-best prospect in baseball, coming in at number four within the Cubs’ farm system.
With numbers as good as these, a promotion was inevitable. Craig Counsell even mentioned the prospect’s hot start, saying there wasn’t an opportunity for Ballesteros. Happ’s injury, while unfortunate, has become that opportunity.
Moises Ballesteros is over 5 years younger than the average hitter in the International League. Here are his season numbers:
150 PA
.368/.420/.522
.942 OPS (129 OPS+)
10.7 K% (156 K%+)
8.0 BB% (75 BB%+)
147 BASH— Greg Huss (@OutOfTheVines) May 13, 2025
In a corresponding move, Ian Happ will be placed on the IL. Happ has been missed the last three games due to an oblique injury, although Counsell previously indicated he could be active for Monday’s game. Instead, Counsell told reporters that they were being cautious regarding his potential return. The team is (wisely) airing on the side of caution, giving Happ at least two weeks to rest before playing again.
Ballesteros is not currently on the 40-man roster, meaning room still has to be made before this move is official. One option is moving Tyson Miller to the 60-day IL. Miller has appeared in 8 games for the Iowa Cubs, posting a 4.15 ERA in 8.2 innings.
