January 28, 2026

Moises Ballesteros is currently the Chicago Cubs' No. 1 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and he is expected to begin the season as the team's primary designated hitter. Ballesteros has the bat to be a fantasy asset right away, but his lack of a clear defensive home puts a ceiling on his production. Fortunately for fantasy managers, outfielder Owen Caissie was traded to the Marlins in the offseason, opening up additional opportunities for Ballesteros to see time at DH. At Triple-A in 2025, the 22-year-old posted a .278 expected batting average, an impressive 13% strikeout rate, and a 43% hard-hit rate. Upon reaching the majors, his performance backed up the underlying metrics. In 66 plate appearances, Ballesteros slashed .298/.394/.474 with two home runs, good for a 143 wRC+. The 5-foot-8 Venezuelan's biggest limitation is his defense. He has slow footwork and lacks the arm strength to be an everyday catcher. When the Cubs called him up late last season, 18 of his 20 appearances came at DH. For 2026, if Ballesteros can obtain at least 500 plate appearances, he has 15-homerun upside and should provide around a .260 batting average. He is even more appealing in leagues where he still has catcher eligibility. On the flip side, if Ballesteros struggles at the plate, there is little reason for the Cubs to keep him in the lineup, as they already have catchers Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya on the 40-man roster. At his current ADP of 377, Ballesteros represents a minimal investment that could pay off nicely for fantasy owners.--Marty Tallman