Cubs call up catching prospect from deep minor league system

Chicago Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Cubs dip into deep minor league system again, call up catching prospect

By Aaron Somers | Last updated May 13, 2025 10:29 AM ET

Midway through May, the Chicago Cubs sit comfortably atop the NL Central and hold the fifth-best record in the National League.

The offense has hit a collective .771 OPS, third in the majors behind only the Yankees and Dodgers, and has helped balance a 16th-ranked pitching staff by ERA.

While things haven't been completely smooth on the year — between Matt Shaw's struggles at third base and the injuries to the pitching staff — there hasn't been concern yet in Chicago, partly due to the club's great depth in the minor leagues.

The Cubs dipped into this depth last week, calling up right-hander Cade Horton with Shota Imanaga landing on the injured list. They're now primed to do so again.

Multiple reporters, including MLB.com's Jordan Bastian, report that the team will call up catcher Moises Ballesteros on Tuesday. Left fielder Ian Happ will be placed on the injured list with an oblique strain.

Happ's absence from the lineup the last few days has left Pete Crow-Armstrong to lead off most games. Seiya Suzuki has moved from DH to left field, creating an opportunity for the club to add a bat to the lineup.

Signed as an international amateur free agent, the 21-year-old Ballesteros has crushed Triple-A pitching this season, posting a .368/.420/.522 line through 150 plate appearances.

Primarily a catcher, the Cubs have had Ballesteros see a lot of time at DH and first base over the last two seasons to find ways to get him into the lineup. Scouting pundits have long speculated that he would be the one to move out from behind the plate if both he and Miguel Amaya developed to their full potential.

With the Cubs' catching duo of Amaya and Carson Kelly producing better than any other catchers in baseball, Ballesteros' opportunities for at-bats will likely not come behind the plate initially.

A deep minor league system is going to be an advantage the Cubs have over other clubs this season. Shaw has already debuted and will return to the club soon. Horton will likely make his next appearance in the coming days. Five more of the team's top eight prospects on MLB Pipeline's Top 30 are also currently at Triple-A and look major-league-ready.

Any one of them could be next.

Aaron Somers

Aaron Somers has more than a decade of experience writing about sports and has been published in numerous outlets, but baseball is and has always been his biggest passion. You can follow him on BlueSky, @AaronJSomers.

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