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22 articles
CHC • Catcher • #25
about 1 hour ago
The 22-year-old rookie has put up video game numbers as a hitter this season, and the Cubs have decided that they can no longer keep slow-playing his development behind the plate. Ballesteros got his first start this season behind the plate in Monday night’s 9-7 loss to the Padres. According to Mooney, “Ballesteros has been engaged in the process, catching bullpen sessions, doing throwing drills, and participating in meetings,” so the Cubs will now try to get him more game reps. Cubs manager Craig Counsell would not commit to those reps being regular, so it remains unclear how soon Ballesteros will gain catcher eligibility in fantasy leagues where he doesn’t yet have it.
Source: The Athletic
CHC • Catcher • #25
about 14 hours ago
Ballesteros unloaded the bases with a grand slam off Randy Vasquez to give the Cubs a 5-3 lead in the third. The 22-year-old rookie didn’t pick up another hit, but if your one hit is a grand slam, you’re doing ok. Ballesteros has been outstanding with the stick to open 2026, and he’s homered five times, driven in 16 runs and forged an OPS of 1.144. He also caught for the second time this year, something fantasy managers should be paying close attention to for 2027.
CHC • Catcher • #25
about 19 hours ago
Ballesteros makes his first start, and second appearance overall, of the season behind the plate after being limited to DH almost exclusively. The 22-year-old former top prospect figures to see enough time behind the dish to retain catcher eligibility for fantasy purposes for at least a couple more years.
Source: MLB.com
CHC • Catcher • #25
7 days ago
Ballesteros takes a seat against Phillies lefty Jesús Luzardo with Alex Bregman getting a break from the field at DH and Matt Shaw entering the lineup at third base for his first start since April 15. The 22-year-old former top prospect is hitting a robust .378 (17-for-45) with three homers and 10 RBI in 19 games this season. He’s a potent offensive threat, but his lack of defensive versatility is going to leave him the odd-man out occasionally when the Cubs have to mix up their lineup.
Source: MLB.com
CHC • Catcher • #25
11 days ago
Ballesteros only got two at-bats, as Matt Shaw took over at DH when the Mets went to Sean Manaea. But he made the most of them. Ballesteros continues his tear, he’s now up to a .375/.409/.625 line on the season. Nothing he’s shown so far has proven he can’t hit. It’s all a matter of playing time with a Cubs team that needs to get Shaw at-bats as well.
CHC • Catcher • #25
16 days ago
Ballesteros hit one of two homers for the Cubs in the third inning off Bubba Chandler — the other came from Dansby Swanson — and it was the second of the young season from the 22-year-old. He also singled, and he’s picked up multiple hits in three of his last five games. There’s a lot to like about Ballesteros in the long-term, but this version has relevancy in a host of fantasy formats, as well.
CHC • Catcher • #25
21 days ago
It was a much-needed strong effort from Ballesteros after going 3-for-20 with zero extra-base hits in eight games to open the season. The hard-hitting 22-year-old backstop drilled a no-doubter down the right field line against Rays reliever Yoendrys Gómez in the ninth inning after picking up an additional RBI on a sixth-inning sacrifice fly. He figures to lose some playing time at DH once Seiya Suzuki (knee) is back from the injured list.
CHC • Catcher • #25
about 1 month ago
Ballesteros’s homers were projected at 423 and 441 feet. He also walked and struck out. Ballesteros was DHing tonight for the third time this spring. He’s started six games at catcher and one at first base. It’s unclear just how much catching he’ll do in the regular season with the Cubs wanting to get both Carson Kelly, who went 3-for-4 with a homer of his own tonight, and Miguel Amaya playing time, but it sure would be nice if he could gain position eligibility there in leagues in which he’s currently only a DH.
CHC • Catcher • #25
about 2 months ago
Ballesteros seemingly has little margin for error over the next three weeks if he’s going to break camp as Chicago’s primary DH. The 22-year-old backstop has nothing left to prove at the Triple-A level and his above-average bat-to-ball skills should allow him to contribute right away in the majors. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 105.1 mph last year shows that he can do some damage from a power standpoint. He’s a name to watch closely over the next few weeks and a strong late-round target in deeper fantasy leagues.
CHC • Catcher • #25
about 2 months ago
The Michael Conforto addition gives the Cubs an intriguing alternative should Ballesteros get off to a slow start, but the 22-year-old deserves a chance to show when he can do before having to worry about playing time. The appearance today was Ballesteros’s second of the spring after his late arrival due to visa issues.
CHC • Catcher • #25
2 months ago
Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell noted that the 22-year-old slugger will be brought along at a slower pace as he gets caught up to the rest of the players in camp. Counsell also told reporters that Ballesteros will get reps at both catcher and first base throughout the spring.
Source: Bruce Levine
CHC • Catcher • #25
2 months ago
Ballesteros has been delayed from joining the Cubs in Arizona by visa issues. The 22-year-old has a great chance to open the year as the Cubs’ designated hitter while also seeing time behind the plate.
Source: Jesse Rogers
CHC • Catcher • #25
7 months ago
The 21-year-old backstop added on an insurance run with an RBI single off of Ryan Fernandez in the seventh inning, extending the Cubs’ lead to 2-0. He has impressed in his limited time with the big league club, slashing .298/.394/.474 with two homers, 11 RBI and a 12/9 K/BB ratio over 66 plate appearances.
CHC • Catcher • #25
7 months ago
Ballesteros took Johan Oviedo deep to give the Cubs a 4-0 lead in the first inning. The 21-year-old was lifted for a pinch-hitter after a lefty came in, but he’s now slashing .308/.386/.538 in his limited time with Chicago in 2025. The future appears to be very, very bright for Ballesteros.
CHC • Catcher • #25
8 months ago
Ballesteros’ first big-league homer was both emphatic and oddly poetic — a 103.7 mph rocket off Rays starter Drew Rasmussen that landed in the left-field seats after glancing off Cubs legend Anthony Rizzo’s outstretched hand. The 21-year-old rookie was intentionally walked his next time up and came around to score on ensuing batter Dansby Swanson’s two-run double to left field. He figures to get some run at DH while Kyle Tucker (calf) remains on the injured list for at least the early portion of next week.
CHC • Catcher • #25
8 months ago
The 21-year-old backstop smacked an RBI triple off of Shane Baz in the third inning that gave the Cubs a 4-3 lead they would never relinquish. He then raced home on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Matt Shaw. He also singled in the seventh inning but was ultimately left stranded at third base. The rookie backstop is slashing a solid .273/.333/.409 with zero homers and seven RBI in his first 24 plate appearances with the Cubs.
CHC • Catcher • #25
8 months ago
It’s a bit surprising to see Ballesteros get the nod over Owen Caissie to replace an injured Kyle Tucker (calf) on Chicago’s roster, but they’re apparently content to roll with Kevin Alcántara having an increased role for at least the next week. The 21-year-old backstop has put up some impressive numbers in the upper minors but he’s going to have a hard time carving out a full-time role with the Cubs due to his defensive limitations.
CHC • Catcher • #25
9 months ago
Ballesteros received the call to join Chicago’s active roster for Wednesday’s series finale against the Brewers. The 21-year-old backstop can flat-out hit, but there are enough defensive question marks that his path to regular playing time gets complicated at the highest level. He’ll serve as the Cubs’ primary DH while Ian Happ is sidelined with a shin injury. The bat is strong enough that he’s going to get plenty of opportunities over the next few years to carve out an everyday role.
CHC • Catcher • #25
11 months ago
Ballesteros went 3-for-16 with three RBI and just one strikeout in five games as the Cubs’ DH with Ian Happ out. He’s probably ready to hit in the majors, but there’s simply no room for him on the Cubs with everyone healthy at the moment.
CHC • Catcher • #25
11 months ago
The move is expected to become official before tonight’s game. Ballesteros is 3-for-16 with three RBI and two walks in five games since being promoted as Happ’s replacement.
Source: Daniel Álvarez-Montes
CHC • Catcher • #25
11 months ago
The move is expected to become official before Tuesday night’s game. Ballesteros is 3-for-16 with three RBI and two walks in five games since being promoted as Happ’s replacement.
Source: Daniel Álvarez-Montes