Cubs Prospect Moises Ballesteros Continues Torrid Season

Chicago Cubs prospect Moises Ballesteros continued his breakout season Friday, turning in a 2-for-5 performance that featured a double, home run, and three RBI. The Myrtle Beach prospect raised his OPS in Single-A to .918. 

After a slow start following his promotion from the ACL Cubs, the catcher has seemingly flipped the switch the last two weeks, raking to the tune of a 170 wRC+ since Aug. 12.  

The lefty's offensive success has even been noticed nationally, as Ballesteros was moved up to 15 in the latest MLB Pipeline top 30 prospects for every team. Ballesteros is still just 18 years old, so the sky may be the limit on the catcher, and it'll be worth keeping an eye on. 

Elsewhere on the farm:

Triple-A: Iowa Cubs (56-65) vs St. Paul Saints (57-62): W 6-5

• Jeremiah Estrada notched his second save in six appearances, striking out three batters and allowing a single in his one inning. Estrada still has yet to allow a Triple-A run.
• John Hicks went 2-2 with two walks, a double, and a home run. Hicks has a season OPS of .805.
• Matt Swarmer allowed just one baserunner over five innings while striking out five. 

Double-A: Tennessee Smokies (62-56) vs Rocket City Trash Pandas (69-49): W 6-2

• Every Smokies starter had at least one hit.
• Nelson Maldonado was the only Tennessee player to have multiple hits. The first baseman is batting .400 in 25 games with Tennessee.
• Walker Powell pitched six shutout innings, striking out five and walking three. The starter has a 1.96 ERA in Double-A.

High-A: South Bend Cubs (66-52) at West Michigan Whitecaps (62-56): L 5-4

• Brennen Davis hit a two-RBI single as he continues his rehab assignment. 
• Pete Crow-Armstrong went 2-for-4 with a hit-by-pitch and a run scored. The Cubs top prospect is batting .290 with a .858 OPS in High-A.
• Owen Caissie went 2-for-3 with a walk and a double. The 20-year-old has a 113 wRC+ in South Bend. 

Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (71-47) vs Augusta GreenJackets (61-56): L 6-5

• Pedro Ramirez went 3-for-5 in his Single-A debut. The 2021 DSL Player of the Year was one of three players to make their first Pelican lineup appearances since their promotions from the ACL, with 2022 15th-round pick Haydn McGeary going 1-4, and Reginald Preciado also going 1-4. 
• James Triantos went 2-for-4 with a double. The third baseman is tied for the team lead with 18 two-baggers. 
• Ezequiel Pagan went 2-for-5, raising his season OPS to .790.
• Kevin Alcantara finished 1-for-5 in the leadoff spot.

Transactions:

• Single-A Myrtle Beach placed centerfielder Jacob Wetzel on the 7-day injured list. 
• Left-handed pitcher Dalton Stambaugh was promoted from High-A South Bend to Double-A Tennessee.
• Triple-A reliever Manuel Rodriguez was activated off the 60-day injured list and promoted to the major leagues. Right-handed pitcher Kervin Castro was sent to Triple-A Iowa.