Oh, Sick: The Cubs Are Gonna Let Moises Ballesteros Do Some More Catching (Report)

Key Points:

• Cubs' 22-year-old DH Moises Ballesteros boasts an impressive .387/.435/.710 slash line with a 0.9 WAR despite limited plate appearances and no prior defensive role, placing him among the top NL rookies and DHs in MLB.
• Ballesteros made his first start as a catcher recently, showing promise defensively while continuing his strong offensive performance, including hitting a grand slam in the game.
• The Cubs are accelerating Ballesteros' catching development, planning to use him more behind the plate in certain matchups or to give regular catchers rest, with manager Craig Counsell emphasizing the need for preparation.
• The team strategically pairs Ballesteros catching with pitchers like Matthew Boyd, who excel at controlling baserunners, to ease his defensive responsibilities and maximize effectiveness.
• If Ballesteros can maintain his offensive output while catching regularly, his value and NL Rookie of the Year candidacy will increase significantly, especially with catcher Carson Kelly nearing free agency.