The Chicago Cubs have one of the best Triple-A teams in the minor leagues, as most of their top prospects are there trying to prove themselves worthy of a call-up. The Iowa Cubs are getting the Cub’s top prospect, Matt Shaw, who was optioned after a slow start.
Shaw will join prospects like Cade Horton, Moisés Ballesteros, and Kevin Alcántara, to name a few, who are all off to hit starts. Horton was impressive in his most recent start, where he added six more strikeouts to his total.
Ballesteros was the Cub’s standout star in their win over the St. Paul Saints, who they demolished. Ballesteros is swinging a hot bat and is forcing the issue and will test the theory of “if your bat can play then they’ll find a spot for you”.
Ballesteros standout performance
The Cubs gave a shellacking to the Saints, defeating the Saints by a score of 20-6 and hitting
eight home runs in the game, which was a franchise record. The more impressive feature of the game was the Cubshad 24 total hits, which was six times more than the Saints, who had four.
“I think we won?”
I think we won? pic.twitter.com/xcqzx06hxL
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) April 16, 2025
The Player of the Game for the Cubs, without question, was Ballesteros, who displayed his power at the plate. In the Cub’s dominant victory, he went 4-5 (.800), hitting a double, two home runs, driving in three RBI, and a walk.
“Moises Ballesteros had himself a day and takes our PLAYER OF THE GAME!”
Moises Ballesteros had himself a day and takes our PLAYER OF THE GAME! pic.twitter.com/DP8QR8ZtDN
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) April 16, 2025
Ballesteros is the Cub’s top-catching prospect, and since he’s swinging a hot bat, he is forcing the Cubs to call him up, as his bat is ready for the big leagues. Ballesteros doesn’t have a spot as Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly are doing well behind the dish and at the plate.
The Chicago Cubs may need to call up Ballesteros
Ballesteros overall for the Triple-A season is hitting out of his mind, slashing .368/.419/.579 for an OPS of .998 in 14 games. Ballesteros has been a doubles machine so far as he has four in 57 at-bats and added a triple and two home runs to his credit, which he hit in the win over the Saints.
The Cubs have been doing great offensively, but adding another bat couldn’t hurt, as they could score as many runs as they can to help their depleted starting staff out. Ballesteros does have the positional flexibility to play first base, but since Michael Busch is off to a hot start as well, he is blocked at that position.
Unless there’s an injury to either Amaya, Kelly, or Seiya Suzuki, the team’s designated hitter, Ballesteros will have to wait down in the minors for his opportunity. However, if his offensive rampage continues, a spot will be made available for him. The Iowa Cubs will again play the Saints today, and have three more games left in the series.
Feb 20, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Moises Ballesteros against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Chicago Cubs: Quick hook for top prospect Matt Shaw says a lot
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