BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues
CALL-UP ETA: August
ANALYSIS: Moises Ballesteros hit 10 home runs in 63 games as an 18-year-old back in 2022, then in 2023 he hit 14 more in 117 games as a 19-year-old. This season, the 20-year-old has belted another 14 between Double-A (nine in 56 games) and Triple-A (five in 31 games), showing that the power is legit, and at such a young age, perhaps there is still more to tap into. Not only that, the diminutive backstop (he stands at five-foot-seven) has shown he can also hit for average, with a career .279 BA in the minors, but performing even better at the higher levels, slashing .292/.357/.483 across both levels in 2024.
Your @GreatClips Clip of the Week is a grand slam off the bat of Moises Ballesteros! pic.twitter.com/4jEGdonY0E
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) July 29, 2024
Ballesteros was one of the highest risers in MLB.com's July prospect re-rank, moving up 28 spots from No. 89 to No. 61 overall. Granted, there are drawbacks in rushing players to majors and bringing them up too soon only to fail which could crush their confidence, but the Cubs have won three in a row and sit just 5.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, averaging 8.0 runs per game over their last three. If they want to make a push it should be all hands on deck.
Miguel Amaya (.213 BA, .571 OPS) and Christian Bethancourt (.183 BA, .547 OPS) share backstop duties for the Cubs right now with Tomas Nido (.192 BA, .534 OPS) on the IL, but surely Ballesteros can offer at least similar offensive competence along with some upside. Of course, catching isn't necessarily about the offense, you need someone capable of handling a major league pitching staff, but hopefully that is what the Cubs' staff is working on at this very moment at Triple-A Iowa.
So, whether it is underperformance from the current catching crop or an injury that forces their hand, there's a good chance we'll Ballesteros in majors before the season is out. He isn't a must-stash like Junior Caminero or Jasson Dominguez, but for managers in deeper leagues in need of some offensive production from the catcher position, Ballesteros could help out down the stretch when it matters most, so if you have a bench spot available, go ahead and grab the Venezuelan ahead of his eventual call-up.
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
Jacob deGrom - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 25)
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 75% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is on the verge of returning to the major leagues and should be rostered in all formats. The former two-time Cy Young winner underwent Tommy John surgery last summer and began a rehab assignment in late August. Through […]
Kumar Rocker - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 25)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 15% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker is set to make his major league debut on Thursday and should be added in all standard leagues. Rocker has had a rocky start to his professional career. He was originally drafted by the New […]
Jasson Dominguez: Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 25 (2024)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 35% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The New York Yankees called up their top prospect, Jasson Dominguez, before Monday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals. Dominguez hit sixth and played left field in his second major league start of the season. In that contest, he went 1-for-4 with […]
Will Wagner - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 23)
BALLER MOVE: Use as Streamer for Rest of Season / Stash in Dynasty Leagues CALL-UP ETA: In Majors ANALYSIS: Will Wagner, the son of legendary closer Billy Wagner, was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays at this year’s trade deadline from the Houston Astros as part of the Yusei Kikuchi return. The 26-year-old currently ranks […]
Connor Norby - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 22)
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: August 19 ANALYSIS: Connor Norby is finally making his much-anticipated debut for the Miami Marlins. Norby, who was acquired at the trade deadline in the deal that sent Trevor Rogers to Baltimore, was playing with Miami's Triple-A team in Jacksonville since being traded but was activated by Miami […]
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!