Moisés Ballesteros Bio
Moisés Alejandro Ballesteros (born November 8, 2003) is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher and designated hitter for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). Known for his advanced bat and strong on-base skills, he rose quickly through the Cubs’ farm system after signing as an international free agent and reached the majors at the age of 21. He is recognized as one of the top young position-player prospects in the Cubs organization.
Early Life and Background
Moisés Ballesteros was born on November 8, 2003, and grew up in Venezuela, a country that has produced many Major League Baseball stars. From a young age, he developed a passion for the game, focusing on the demanding position of catcher. His Venezuelan roots placed him in a baseball culture that emphasizes skill, discipline, and competition, helping shape his early development as a hitter and defender behind the plate.
As he progressed through youth and amateur baseball in his home country, Ballesteros drew attention from international scouts for his combination of plate discipline and raw power. These qualities helped him stand out in a deep pool of Venezuelan talent, eventually leading Major League teams to pursue him during the 2020–2021 international signing period. His journey followed the path of many Latin American players who sign professional contracts as teenagers.
Path to Baseball
Ballesteros signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent on January 15, 2021, beginning his professional career. He made his professional debut that same year with the Dominican Summer League Cubs, where he adjusted to the rigors of pro ball as a teenager. The Cubs organization placed a strong emphasis on his development as a catcher while also allowing him to gain experience at designated hitter.
In 2022, he moved to the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Cubs and the Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, taking his first steps into the United States baseball landscape. The following year, he split 2023 between Myrtle Beach, the High-A South Bend Cubs, and the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, producing strong offensive numbers across three levels. His rapid climb through the minors established him as a cornerstone of the Cubs’ next wave of position-player talent.
Moisés Ballesteros Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Ballesteros began his professional journey in 2021 with the Dominican Summer League Cubs, getting his first taste of organized professional baseball. The experience allowed the young catcher to refine his defensive skills and adjust to a full professional schedule while playing in the warm climate of the Dominican Republic.
In 2022, he advanced to the Arizona Complex League Cubs and the Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Moving between the two affiliates provided him with consistent at-bats and an introduction to stateside competition. These developmental seasons laid the foundation for his future ascent through the Cubs’ farm system.
Minor League Breakthrough (2023–2024)
The 2023 season marked a true breakout for Ballesteros, as he played for three different affiliates: Myrtle Beach, South Bend, and Tennessee. In 117 appearances, he posted a .285/.375/.449 slash line with 14 home runs, 64 RBI, and seven stolen bases, earning the Cubs’ Minor League Player of the Year award. His performance demonstrated the rare blend of contact, patience, and power that scouts had long projected from him.
Ballesteros returned to Double-A Tennessee to start 2024 before earning a midseason promotion to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Across 124 games at the two levels, he hit .289/.354/.471 with 19 home runs and 78 RBI, earning his second consecutive Cubs Minor League Player of the Year honor. After the regular season, he joined the Arizona Fall League to gain further experience against top prospects, reinforcing his readiness for the major leagues.
Chicago Cubs Era (2025–Present)
Ballesteros opened the 2025 season with Triple-A Iowa, where he hit .368 with four home runs, 18 RBI, and three stolen bases in his first 34 games. His dominant start convinced the Cubs to bring him to the big leagues, and on May 13, 2025, he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. In his debut, he went 0-for-4 with four groundouts, a learning experience against major league pitching.
Just three days later, on May 16, 2025, Ballesteros recorded his first MLB hit and RBI against Yoendrys Gómez of the Chicago White Sox. The moment marked the realization of a years-long journey through the minor leagues. On September 13, he hit his first career home run off Tampa Bay Rays starter Drew Rasmussen; the ball famously landed in the section where former Cub Anthony Rizzo was seated. These milestones cemented his arrival as a young core member of the Cubs’ lineup.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ballesteros’ first Major League hit and RBI in May 2025 came against the Chicago White Sox, while his first major league home run arrived against the Tampa Bay Rays in September 2025. He was named the Cubs’ Minor League Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2024, becoming only the second player in franchise history to win the award in back-to-back seasons. His debut with the Cubs also made him one of the youngest catchers to appear in a game for the franchise in recent memory.
Moisés Ballesteros Career Wins
Across his professional career, Moisés Ballesteros has compiled impressive individual achievements at every level of the minor leagues. His two Minor League Player of the Year awards with the Chicago Cubs organization stand as the cornerstone recognition of his pre-major-league success.
Minor League Highlights
During the 2023 season, Ballesteros hit .285/.375/.449 with 14 home runs and 64 RBI across 117 games with Myrtle Beach, South Bend, and Tennessee. The following year, he raised his production to a .289/.354/.471 line with 19 home runs and 78 RBI in 124 games split between Tennessee and Iowa, repeating as the Cubs’ top minor league performer. His early 2025 production at Triple-A Iowa, including a .368 batting average and four home runs in 34 games, helped push him to the major leagues.
Other Wins and Performances
Ballesteros also represented the Cubs organization in the Arizona Fall League following the 2024 regular season, gaining additional experience against high-level competition. His continued presence in the AFL reinforced his standing as a top catching prospect in all of professional baseball.
Moisés Ballesteros Family
Personal Life
Moisés Ballesteros was born and raised in Venezuela, where his family supported his early baseball development. He has kept much of his personal and family life private as he focuses on his young professional career with the Chicago Cubs organization.
2025 Season Performance
Ballesteros began the 2025 season at Triple-A Iowa, where his hot start made him one of the most talked-about prospects in baseball. In 34 games with Iowa, he hit .368 with four home runs, 18 RBI, and three stolen bases, forcing the Cubs to accelerate his path to the majors. The Cubs promoted him to the major league roster on May 13, 2025, marking the official start of his MLB career.
After going hitless in his debut, Ballesteros wasted little time in making an impact, recording his first MLB hit and RBI on May 16 against the Chicago White Sox. He continued to develop throughout his rookie year, eventually hitting his first career home run on September 13 against the Tampa Bay Rays. By season’s end, he had established himself as a key young contributor in the Cubs’ lineup and behind the plate.