Chicago Cubs to accelerate Mo Ballesteros at catcher position

Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs to accelerate Mo Ballesteros at catcher position

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Zack Pearson | Last updated Apr 28, 2026 5:08 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs not only want to get Mo Ballesteros in the lineup more this season but they almost have to. The 22-year-old Ballesteros is off to a hot start hitting this season, so getting him into that lineup makes a lot of sense. Even if it includes at catcher.

On Monday night, the Cubs had Ballesteros start at catcher for the first time this season. He caught Matthew Boyd for his start and although they gave up three runs early, Ballesteros delivered early in terms of his bat.

Trailing 3-1, Ballesteros hit a grand slam with two outs in the third inning to give the Cubs a 5-3 lead. That lead was quickly vanished, but it was still a positive moment for the young hitter. And now, the Cubs are hoping to get him those bats in the near future.

Chicago Cubs want to accelerate Mo Ballesteros at catcher

Apr 27, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros (25) hits a grand slam during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Following Monday’s late loss in San Diego, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic wrote on Ballesteros and his hot bat. In the piece, he mentions how the Cubs are looking to accelerate the process for him at the catching position:

Those responsibilities will continue to expand. Cubs fans who want to see more are getting their wish.

The club is accelerating the catching program for Ballesteros, who received his first start this season behind the plate in Monday night’s 9-7 loss to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. And then, in front of a sellout crowd of 41,478, he showed his flair for hitting by delivering a grand slam.

Manager Craig Counsell also touched on the subject, telling reporters that the club wants him to gain more experience behind the plate this season which will lead to more bats:

“If things happen, it could be more often,” Counsell said. “If things don’t happen, it’ll probably just be occasional. But being prepared — if it had to be more — is part of it.”

At just 22, Ballesteros is showing a lot of promise. He’s hitting .387 with five home runs and 16 RBIs, plus an OPS of 1.144.

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

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