The Chicago Cubs are not messing around as they plan to call up 21-year-old prospect Moises Ballesteros from Triple-A on Tuesday. The top hitting prospect in the Cubs’ farm system will take Ian Happ’s spot on the 26-man roster. Happ, who had missed the last few days with oblique discomfort is going to be placed on the 10-day injured list.
Ballesteros is once again having a great season in the minor leagues and at only 21 the left-handed batter is making an argument to be considered one of the best pure hitting prospects in all of baseball. Bruce Levine first broke the news of Ballesteros’ promotion following Monday night’s 5-2 Cubs win over the Marlins.
So far in 34 games at Triple-A, Ballesteros has a slash line of .368/.420/.522, with 4 home runs in 150 plate appearances. He recently had a 19-game hitting streak with the Iowa Cubs that ultimately came to an end on May 4. Since then, Ballesteros has gone 7-for-23 at the plate in six games.
You obviously hate to see Happ having to miss time because of injury, but it’s hard not to get excited over watching Ballesteros in the big leagues. He’s going to play and that’s what you love about this move. The Cubs could have tried to force more of Justin Turner in the DH spot, but he’s been awful this year and now Ballesteros will get a chance to hit.
Ballesteros may not get many starts at catcher in his first stint in the majors, but the Cubs didn’t call him up to sit on the bench either.
Via The Athletic.
Justin Turner was signed to ideally be the backup DH. He has a long track record and immense postseason experience, but at the age of 40, he has struggled so far in a part-time role. Through 70 plate appearances, he does not yet have an extra-base hit.
That created an opportunity for Ballesteros, who wouldn’t be called up to sit on the bench. The Cubs will want him to keep playing and developing, which would presumably put him in Tuesday’s lineup against the Miami Marlins for his major-league debut.
Once the Cubs officially add Ballesteros to their 26-man roster, he’ll become the youngest player in MLB.
