The Chicago Cubs enter the 2026 MLB season as serious National League contenders, boasting one of the most balanced rosters in baseball. With expectations building, one of Chicago’s top young talents has already been identified as a breakout name to follow closely this year.
Former MLB Executive of the Year and current The Athletic writer Jim Bowden recently ranked Cubs rookie Moisés Ballesteros among his top 20 first-year players expected to make a significant impact in 2026. The 22-year-old backstop made his major league debut last season, appearing in 20 games and posting an impressive .298 average across 57 at-bats, along with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
After spending five seasons climbing through the minor league ranks, Ballesteros appears ready to secure a consistent role at the big-league level. Widely regarded as one of the most polished pure hitters in this year’s rookie class, he combines advanced bat-to-ball skills with above-average raw power. While he profiles as a strong candidate to handle designated hitter duties on a regular basis, he also offers positional flexibility with the ability to catch or fill in at first base when needed.
Bowden Highlights Ballesteros as Breakout Pick
Although his MLB stint was brief, Ballesteros’ production in Triple-A made a strong case for his late-season promotion. In 114 games with the Iowa Cubs, he hit .316 with 13 home runs and 76 RBIs, finishing with an .858 OPS while striking out just 67 times — a testament to his disciplined approach.
Bowden praised Ballesteros’ offensive profile, emphasizing his advanced hitting instincts. He noted the young slugger’s ability to handle velocity, breaking pitches, and off-speed offerings alike, while consistently driving the ball with authority to all fields. Though his in-game power has yet to fully match his raw strength, Bowden believes the home run totals will steadily increase as he gains experience.
Across 466 minor league appearances, Ballesteros has compiled 59 career home runs. While that number may not immediately jump off the page, context matters — he won’t turn 23 until after the 2026 campaign. Having already debuted at 21 and shown flashes of high-level production, his developmental trajectory suggests his prime years are still ahead.
Organization Confident in Young Slugger
Support for Ballesteros isn’t limited to outside evaluators. The Cubs’ front office remains highly optimistic about his future. General manager Carter Hawkins has praised Ballesteros as a natural hitter with advanced barrel control and a mature approach that surpasses his age. The organization also believes he has the tools to handle catching duties at the major league level.
Defensively, however, there are still areas for improvement. Scouting evaluations currently grade his fielding at 40 on the 20–80 scale, placing him slightly below average. Yet Chicago’s depth helps offset that concern. At catcher, veterans Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya sit ahead of him on the depth chart, while Michael Busch provides stability at first base.
That leaves designated hitter as a realistic everyday opportunity — especially if Ballesteros capitalizes on a strong spring training. If his bat continues trending upward, the Cubs may have found another cornerstone piece in their pursuit of National League supremacy.
