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Cubs are Calling up Top Prospect Moises Ballesteros, Happ to IL

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Rich Eberwein | Last updated May 13, 2025 2:48 AM ET

After the Chicago Cubs took game 1 of their series against the Miami Marlins on Monday night, it was reported that the team was going to call up their No. 4 prospect Moises Ballesteros to the big league roster.

670 The Score reporter Bruce Levine delivered the surprising news and also reported that left fielder Ian Happ is heading to the injured list with an oblique injury. Manager Craig Counsell told the media that Happ's oblique flared up in the Cubs' first game against the New York Mets on Friday, and it apparently hasn't gotten better.

Breaking News - The Cubs will call up C/ DH Moises Ballesterous from Triple A Iowa. He will likely be in the starting lineup tomorrow. Ian Happ to go on IL with oblique issue.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) May 13, 2025

Ballesteros, who turned 21 in November, is a catcher/designated hitter who is regarded as one of the best hitters in the minor leagues. With a career .288 batting average over 386 games played for the Cubs organization, Ballesteros has proven he has Impressive skills with the bat.

The young catcher has 50 hits to start the 2025 season, including seven doubles and four home runs, good enough for a .942 OPS for the Iowa Cubs. Ballesteros will likely pencil in the Cubs' lineup as the DH since Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly are both healthy and Seiya Suzuki is needed in left field with Happ on the shelf.

Ballesteros' skills as a catcher are also not as developed as his hitting. There are serious questions as whether the prospect can even perform at the position in the big leagues as his framing, arm, and receiving skills have all come under criticism by scouts and reporters.

But the Cubs clearly think Ballesteros' bat can be a difference-maker right now, enough to clear a 40-man roster spot for the 21-year-old.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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