Cubs' Venezuelan tank jumps into Rookie of the Year conversation while raking the baseball

OutKick Cubs' Venezuelan tank jumps into Rookie of the Year conversation while raking the baseball Craig Counsell says 22-year-old Moises Ballesteros could see more time at catcher By Mark Harris OutKick Published April 28, 2026 9:13am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Todd Ricketts Believes We'll Have Opening Day In 2027 | Don't @ Me w/Dan Dakich Cubs co-owner tells Dan Dakich he believes the MLB will have an Opening Day next season & avoid a strike that bleeds into the start of the season. The Chicago Cubs' lineup is filled with names that the eyes of every baseball fan immediately turn their attention to. When Alex Bregman, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner and Seya Suzuki make up your core, it's easy to overlook others, but Moisés Ballesteros is making it impossible to pass over his name. if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('tablet', 'lb2', 'tablet-tw-ad-lb2', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('mobile', 'ban1', 'mobile-mw-ad-ban1', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } The 22-year-old Venezuelan has been punishing baseballs in 2026. Ballesteros' presence at the plate is not only presenting a good problem for Chicago manager Craig Counsell, who needs to find him at-bats, but he's also very loudly entered the conversation for National League Rookie of the Year.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Moises Ballesteros #25 of the Chicago Cubs bats in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field on April 23, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) (Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('desktop', 'lb2', 'desktop-desk-ad-lb2', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } Ballesteros appeared in 20 games for the Cubs a season ago, and looking back on things, he gave the world a bit of a preview of what may come in 2026 by hitting .298 and driving in 11 runs in 57 at-bats. But he has taken a ginormous leap so far this season. if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('mobile', 'ban2', 'mobile-mw-ad-ban2', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } While the sample size is still small with just 69 plate appearances this season, his numbers are eye-popping: .387 batting average, five home runs, 16 RBIs, 12 runs and an OPS of 1.144. If you narrow things down to just his last seven games, his batting average jumps to .444 across 18 total at-bats. Moises Ballesteros #25 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates a double in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field on April 22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) (Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('tablet', 'lb3', 'tablet-tw-ad-lb3', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); }…

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