The Chicago Cubs are all set to dive into the heat of spring training, pushing towards an expected deep playoff run in 2026. And all the pieces are in place right now, except one– projected DH and backup catcher Moises Ballesteros.
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The 22-year-old rookie is still in South America, waiting on visa issues to resolve so he can get to Arizona and join his teammates. The native of Venezuela was unable to acquire his visa in time to enter camp with his fellow Cubs and is still battling the apparent immigration bureaucracy, apparently made more complicated by current geopolitical turmoil.
MLB insider Bruce Levine recently updated the situation, reporting that Ballesteros will now be trying to make his US entry through Colombia and the hope is that he’ll be in Mesa by this weekend.
The importance of having Ballesteros in camp
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For the Cubs, having him in camp as soon as possible is the goal, especially given the role he’ll be playing this season and the expectations attached to his development.
Last season, the Cubs’ current no. 1 prospect slashed .298/.394/.474 in only 66 regular season plate appearances spread out over three separate call-ups. Down the stretch, though, he turned a lot of heads, hitting .333 (with a .435 OBP) in September, picking up the slack for an injured and struggling Kyle Tucker.
Ballesteros, despite his short, pudgy build, is regarded by many as a hitting savant, carried to recognition as a two-time Cubs Minor League Player of the Year (2023, 2024) on the weight of his hitting ability alone.
An eye-opening MLB debut
Sep 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Moises Ballesteros (25) crosses home plate and celebrates his first MLB home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
“We kind of asked a lot of him,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters during January’s Cubs Convention. “You saw where he was hitting in the lineup at times. I think that is a sign of a lot of confidence in a young hitter. He showed us a lot…
“There’s a lot of contact, and the ball went all over the field. That was probably the two things that impressed me, is that just where the ball went. He doesn’t have to pull a ball. It’s going everywhere with all types of pitches, and then there’s just a lot of contact. That’s generally just a good formula. Hits it hard.
“Those are all three really good things to do that make you tough to defend, and he’s doing it again at a really young age.”
MLB insider and former MLB exec Jim Bowden recently named Ballesteros one of the 2026 rookies to watch because of his prodigious hitting ability.
Per Bowden:
“Ballesteros, 22, has a “hit” tool that is going to carry him, as he’s one of the most advanced hitters in this rookie class. He has above-average bat-to-ball skills and can hit all types of pitches, including high velocity, sharp breaking balls and off-speed offerings. He’ll use the entire field to hit line drives with elite exit velocity. His raw power far out-paces his in-game power to date, but the homers will come in time. His best position is designated hitter, but he can backup both first base and catcher when needed with below-average defense. The bat is going to play.”
Hopes for a resolution
May 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell is interviewed by reporters prior to a game against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
The hope for this spring was to develop Ballesteros’ game behind the plate so that he could become a true backup catcher and not just an occasional emergency fill-in. The visa delay has already cost him valuable time that could’ve been spent on defense and on building a rapport with the pitchers.
Not being in camp is not a total spring training buzzkill just yet, but the time is fast approaching where it could be. For what it’s worth, the Cubs are confident that their young prospect will be with the team soon enough.
“We’re optimistic right now that he’s going to be here shortly,” Counsell told Cubs.com. “If that should happen, I think we’re in a good place. He’s going to be behind in terms of when you see him in a game, but with kind of the normal Spring Training schedule, I feel confident in the number of games we’re looking at here.”
This Chicago Cubs slugger is on the Fangraphs 2026 Top 100 Prospects list
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