Syndication: The Des Moines Register Syndication: The Des Moines Register Iowa Cubs’ Moises Ballesteros (25) makes his way to third base on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Principal Park in Des Moines. © Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs call up 21-year-old slugger from Triple-A

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Andy Jachim | Last updated May 13, 2025 12:05 AM ET

The Chicago Cubs got their week off to a strong start with a 5-2 win at home against the Miami Marlins on Monday. All five runs for the club came in the fifth inning, where Seiya Suzuki and Dansby Swanson each left the yard to propel them to victory. This was the first contest of a six-game homestand where the Cubs will face the Marlins and the White Sox. These games will be crucial for Chicago to pad their current division lead in the NL Central.

Immediately after Monday night’s victory, the club announced that one of their key cogs in the order will be hitting the IL. In the corresponding move, one of the organization’s top prospects will be joining the team for Tuesday night’s showdown with the Marlins.

Chicago Cubs call up Moises Ballesteros, send Ian Happ to the IL

Per reports, Moises Ballesteros will be joining the Cubs and is set to make his big league debut Tuesday night. Ian Happ will hit the IL after he has missed the last three games with an oblique injury. Ballesteros has been on a tear so far this season in Triple-A, as he slashed .368/.420/.522 with a .942 OPS in 34 games. Known as “Mo Baller” , the slugger has crushed four homers so far this season and has driven in 18 runs.

Ballesteros hit 19 home runs in 2024 between Double-A and Triple-A, as he put himself on the map as the best power bat in the Cubs’ farm system. The 21-year-old catches and serves as a designated hitter, and it is a foregone conclusion that he will slot in as the designated hitter until Happ is back from injury. Happ is slashing .269/.364/.381 with a .745 OPS in 39 games as the leadoff man for Chicago this year. He also slugged out three homers and has driven in 16 runs so far in 2025.

MLB: Spring Training San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs MLB: Spring Training San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs Mar 21, 2025; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros hits against the San Diego Padres in the first inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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