Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 20 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55

Ballesteros starred on Venezuelan national youth teams before turning pro for $1.2 million, the second-highest bonus among catchers and among Cubs signees in the 2020-21 international class. Chicago has moved him aggressively because his bat is so advanced. The Cubs' 2023 Minor League Player of the Year, he slashed .285/.374/.449 with 14 homers at age 19, spending the second half of the season in High-A before a five-game cameo in Double-A. 

Ballesteros has had no trouble handling significantly older pitchers because he has a sweet left-handed swing and controls the strike zone better than anyone in Chicago's system. He patiently works counts awaiting a pitch he can hit hard and takes advantage when he gets one. He did a better job of driving balls in the air and using the entire field in 2023, and he has the bat speed and strength for 20-homer power once he's fully developed. 

Because Ballesteros is much heavier than his listed 195 pounds, has a thick lower half and lacks quickness and agility, there are questions as to whether he can remain at catcher. His proponents compare him to Alejandro Kirk for his hitting ability and soft hands, and he is making progress with his receiving and blocking. He'll flash some solid arm strength, but his slow footwork and transfer allowed basestealers to succeed in 97 of 122 (80 percent) attempts last year. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 20 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

After starring on several Venezuelan national youth teams, Ballesteros signed for $1.2 million in January 2021. That was the second-highest bonus among catchers and Cubs signees in the 2020-21 international crop. He made his U.S. debut last summer, hit his way to Single-A after a month and held his own offensively in full-season ball at age 18. 

Ballesteros succeeded against older competition because he's an advanced hitter with a smooth left-handed swing and control of the strike zone. He works counts looking for pitches to drive and has the bat speed and strength to produce 20 homers per season. He's still learning to drive balls in the air and to use the opposite field. 

Much heavier than his listed 195 pounds, Ballesteros has a thick lower half and lacks quickness and agility. Earning Alejandro Kirk comparisons with his hitting prowess and soft hands, he has the tools to become a good receiver and is making progress with his blocking ability.  He has solid arm strength but needs to quicken his footwork and transfer after allowing 85 steals in 98 attempts last year. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45 

A veteran of Venezuelan national youth teams, Ballesteros received the second-highest bonus among catchers in the 2020-21 international class. He signed for $1.2 million, also the second-largest outlay in the Cubs' crop behind Cristian Hernandez's $3 million. He's an offensive-minded player who has the chance to develop into an average defender behind the plate. 

Ballesteros has a smooth left-handed swing to go with advanced feel to hit and control of the strike zone. His bat speed and strength give him solid to plus raw power that could translate into 15-20 homers per season once he's fully developed. He does get a little pull-happy and he'll need to drive more balls in the air to tap into his pop. 

Ballesteros keeps the running game in check with solid arm strength and a quick release. He has the soft hands to become a good receiver but must improve at blocking balls. A well below-average runner with a thick frame, he'll have to watch his conditioning. 

Awards

MiLB Awards All-MiLB Prospect Second Team

Year	Team
2024

INT Player of the Week

Week	Team
09/01/2024

Futures Skills Showcase Participant

Year	Team
2024

Futures Game Selection

Year	Team
2024

SOU Player of the Week

Week	Team
06/16/2024

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/08/2024	National League Fall Stars activated 1B Moises Ballesteros.
	09/25/2024	1B Moises Ballesteros assigned to Mesa Solar Sox.
	07/12/2024	C Moises Ballesteros assigned to National League Futures.
	06/18/2024	C Moises Ballesteros assigned to Iowa Cubs from Tennessee Smokies.
	03/07/2024	Chicago Cubs Prospects activated C Moises Ballesteros.
	02/25/2024	C Moises Ballesteros assigned to Chicago Cubs.
	09/12/2023	C Moises Ballesteros assigned to Tennessee Smokies from South Bend Cubs.
	06/20/2023	C Moises Ballesteros assigned to South Bend Cubs from Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
	03/11/2023	C Moises Ballesteros assigned to Chicago Cubs.
	03/11/2023	C Moises Ballesteros roster status changed by Chicago Cubs.
	08/01/2022	C Moises Ballesteros assigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans from ACL Cubs.
	08/01/2022	Myrtle Beach Pelicans activated C Moises Ballesteros.
	06/06/2022	C Moises Ballesteros assigned to ACL Cubs.
	03/17/2022	C Moises Ballesteros roster status changed by Chicago Cubs.
	03/17/2022	C Moises Ballesteros assigned to Chicago Cubs.
	07/10/2021	C Moises Ballesteros assigned to DSL Cubs Red.
	01/15/2021	Chicago Cubs signed free agent C Moises Ballesteros to a minor league contract.