Moises Ballesteros

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #29 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: After signing Ronnier Quintero in 2019, the Cubs added another promising Venezuelan catcher in their 2020-21 class with Ballesteros, who trained with Alvaro Diaz. Ballesteros grew up playing a lot of baseball, including at the U-12 World Cup in Taiwan in 2015 when he hit cleanup as the youngest player on the Venezuelan team. The Cubs signed him on Jan. 15.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Ballesteros consistently performed well in games in Venezuela, managing his at-bats well for his age with a selective approach and good bat control from the left side. His contact skills and plate discipline give him the foundation for strong on-base skills for a catcher, and when he connects it's often for hard contact. He can drive the ball for extra-base damage now with occasional over-the-fence shots and a chance to grow into average power. Ballesteros has a stout, blocky that gives some scouts concerns and about his future physical projection. He has a strong upper body but will need to work to stay on top of his conditioning and maintain his mobility behind the plate. Ballesteros is an offensive-minded catcher who needs more work with his blocking and receiving, though he is surprisingly quick behind the plate getting rid of the ball with a strong arm and pop times into the 1.9s in games.
  
  THE FUTURE: The trek up the minor league ladder for teenage catchers is long and treacherous. Ballesteros will begin his climb in Rookie ball in 2021.

• January, 2021 Scouting Report
  Ballesteros has experience representing his country at international tournaments going back to when he hit cleanup as the youngest player on the Venezuelan team in the 2015 U-12 World Cup in Taiwan. Ballesteros is an offensive-oriented catcher with a stout, boxy frame and a strong upper body. He has performed well in games in Venezuela, with good bat control and ability to drive the ball well with a sound approach for his age. Ballesteros has a strong arm, but he will need to stay on top of his mobility and bring along his defense to stay behind the plate. The Cubs are expected to sign Ballesteros, who trains with Alvaro Diaz.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After signing Ronnier Quintero in 2019, the Cubs added another promising Venezuelan catcher in their 2020-21 class with Ballesteros, who trained with Alvaro Diaz. Ballesteros grew up playing a lot of baseball, including at the U-12 World Cup in Taiwan in 2015 when he hit cleanup as the youngest player on the Venezuelan team. The Cubs signed him on Jan. 15.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Ballesteros consistently performed well in games in Venezuela, managing his at-bats well for his age with a selective approach and good bat control from the left side. His contact skills and plate discipline give him the foundation for strong on-base skills for a catcher, and when he connects it's often for hard contact. He can drive the ball for extra-base damage now with occasional over-the-fence shots and a chance to grow into average power. Ballesteros has a stout, blocky that gives some scouts concerns and about his future physical projection. He has a strong upper body but will need to work to stay on top of his conditioning and maintain his mobility behind the plate. Ballesteros is an offensive-minded catcher who needs more work with his blocking and receiving, though he is surprisingly quick behind the plate getting rid of the ball with a strong arm and pop times into the 1.9s in games.
  
  THE FUTURE: The trek up the minor league ladder for teenage catchers is long and treacherous. Ballesteros will begin his climb in Rookie ball in 2021.