Top prospect could hardly believe it when the Chicago Cubs selected his contract from Triple-A Iowa — and the nerves showed in his MLB debut. The 21-year-old went 0-for-4 in his first game and admitted to feeling jittery. But that’s completely understandable, especially considering how stunned he was to get the call.
Fittingly, he was playing MLB The Show when Iowa manager Marty Pevey phoned to deliver the life-changing news. The Venezuelan slugger was so overwhelmed, he nearly launched his controller in excitement. Honestly, who wouldn’t root for a guy like that? He reacted the same way any fan would if given the chance to live out their dream.
Moisés Ballesteros’ awesome reaction to Cubs promotion instantly wins over fans
“My emotions,” Moisés Ballesteros said, via Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. “[I felt] like throwing the controller. I was in shock for like five minutes.”
The timing of his call-up couldn’t have been more perfect. Ballesteros’ parents had just arrived from Venezuela — their first time visiting him in the U.S. — to cheer him on in Triple-A. Instead of watching him in Des Moines, they got to witness their son achieve a lifelong dream, leaving Iowa behind with a memory that will last a lifetime.
Even more special: Ballesteros explored the iconic Wrigley Field for the first time with his parents by his side. It was a moment none of them will forget.
“It’s my first time here,” Ballesteros said. “Wrigley Field is amazing. I’m really excited with my family here.”
The 21-year-old joins the big-league club just days after the Cubs promoted their top pitching prospect, Cade Horton. Now, their No. 4 overall prospect enters the mix, expected to see regular time as the designated hitter. With Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly sharing catching duties and Seiya Suzuki shifting back to the outfield due to Ian Happ’s injury, the path is clear for Ballesteros to contribute with his bat.
And that’s exactly what he does best. In 136 at-bats with Triple-A Iowa this season, Ballesteros slashed .368/.420/.522 with four home runs and 18 RBIs. His advanced bat-to-ball skills stand out—he posted a .942 OPS while striking out just 16 times in 150 plate appearances.
Cubs fans already had plenty of reasons to be excited about Ballesteros. Now, they’ve got another—he’s not just a top prospect, but a genuinely easy player to root for.