Cubs Calling Up Moises Ballesteros | Fantasy Baseball Outlook for the Youngster and Other Chicago Hitters
Assessing Moises Ballesteros as a fantasy asset as he's getting called up to the big leagues.
Another day, another top MLB prospect getting called up to the big leagues.
Yesterday, it was Jordan Lawlar getting called up by the Diamondbacks. Today, it's Moises Ballesteros getting the call to join the Cubs.
Let's discuss what the Cubs' transactions today could mean for several fantasy players, including Ballesteros.
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Ballesteros' Numbers and Grades
Ballesteros is the No. 61 overall prospect in baseball. He's 21 years old, is a left-handed hitter and was signed by the Cubs back in 2021.
Across parts of five minor league seasons, Ballesteros has a .288 average and .371 OBP in 386 games. He has 50 homers, 80 doubles and two triples among his 395 total hits.
Ballesteros has 218 RBIs, 191 runs scored, 182 walks and 258 strikeouts to his name. He's stolen 17 bases. In 34 Triple-A games this season, Ballesteros has a .368 average and .420 OBP, so he's more than ready for a chance at the big league level.
He's got a 60 grade in hitting, while having 50 marks in power and for his arm. His fielding is graded as a 40, while his running is just a 30. Ballesteros has a 55 grade overall.
Ballesteros has primarily been a catcher in the minor leagues, appearing in 254 games there. He's been a first baseman for 60 games, and has served as a designated hitter for 10 contests. This season, he has 22 starts at catcher, 10 starts as the DH and one start at first base.
Fantasy Outlook for Ballesteros and Other Cubs
The corresponding move when Ballesteros gets called up is Ian Happ hitting the 10-day injured list with an oblique injury.
Happ has been in left field for all 39 of his season appearances, so adding Ballesteros is a weird fit.
Chicago has Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya already locking down the catcher spot, so Ballesteros likely won't be used a ton there. It does open up some versatility if Chicago wants to get Ballesteros and one of Kelly or Amaya in the lineup together.
At first base, the Cubs have Michael Busch and Justin Turner covering things. So that's another place where Ballesteros is not likely to fill in much. Turner could maybe slide over to third base if Ballesteros gets hot at the plate and the team needs to keep his bat in the lineup.
Happ has been the primary left fielder for the Cubs. The rumor is that Seiya Suzuki is going to slide into that spot with Happ out. Suzuki has primarily been the Cubs' designated hitter, so that spot now would open for Ballesteros.
Happ has been batting leadoff for the Cubs, so I'm interested to see who takes over that spot. It's been Pete Crow-Armstrong the past three days, and he'd be the top guess to retain that slot.
Kyle Tucker is locked into the No. 2 spot in the lineup, and Suzuki has been behind him. Busch has been the cleanup hitter when he's starting, then Kelly slots in sixth most days.
Nico Hoerner has been the No. 6 hitter, and this is the first slot in the order I could see Ballesteros slotting in. Ballesteros could slot in even lower in the order if the team wants to take away as much pressure as possible as he makes the jump to the big leagues.
Regardless of where the youngster hits in the order though, it'll be a favorable fantasy spot for him because the Cubs' offense is stacked. He'll either have a chance to drive in plenty of runs, or score a lot if he can get on base somewhat consistently.
Who Should Add Ballesteros?
Ballesteros is up to 4.9% rostered after a 2.37% increase so far today. You can bet that number will grow by the time the Cubs reveal their Tuesday night lineup.
Given he's a top-100 prospect, and a really good hitter in the minor leagues, Ballesteros should get plenty of attention in deeper redraft leagues. He was already a good dynasty/keeper asset.
Ballesteros is worth adding in many deeper redraft leagues immediately. If you don't want to miss out on him, you can just add and stash him for a bit. If he takes off right away as a hitter, Ballesteros can then work his way into your starting lineup.
It might not take many good showings for Ballesteros to be a standard league redraft option. The only thing I'd be worried about is his outlook after Happ returns from the injured list. It doesn't look like it's going to be a long stint on the IL for Happ, which means Ballesteros might only be rostered in the big leagues for a week or so.
There's a chance Ballesteros hits well enough to keep his spot in the big leagues, and instead force the Cubs to get creative to get everyone into the starting lineup. This will be a fascinating thing to watch over the next week or so.
But for now, deep-league fantasy owners should add Ballesteros. He's a streaming option for a week, and if he takes off, you might have a huge fantasy asset on your hands.
