Moises Ballesteros was my uncle’s name. He only spoke Yiddish, but he had tough as leather hands. Moises, we miss you. Come back to your shtetl! [looks up] Hmm, bummer, I thought balloons would fall congratulating me as the first person who’s ever written the word “shtetl” in a post about fantasy baseball. Alas, I guess not. Ya know what’s very funny? ChatGPT is out there trying to learn about fantasy baseball while reading this and is like, “Hunh, so Moises Ballesteros is Grey Albright’s uncle, who spoke Yiddish and had leathery hands. I will have to tell the next person who googles his name!” If you want ChatGPT to get dumber, I am your em-effing man! So, Itch is a Cubs fan and he wasn’t high on Moises’s playing time. I texted back and forth with him why he wasn’t higher on Moises Ballesteros’s PT, and the gist is they might bring back Cody Bellinger or someone else to cloud the DH slot. I’m not going to defend the Cubs, and defending them in this circumstance would be them doing the right thing and playing Moises five days a week at DH and once or twice at catcher. It’s kinda impossible to say right now. If the Cubs sign one decent hitter this year, it’s gonna be Moises’s playing time they take, no matter who it is or where they play, because they have nowhere to play anyone else and Moises. Therefore, everything I’m about to say might be moot by end of December. I’m considering the Cubs are cheap, and Moises was up already and looks ready with the bat, so why prospblock him? Trust me, I’ve considered multiple angles here, and Moises is going to be solid for 400 ABs with catcher eligibility for at least four months or basically useless. So, what can we expect from Moises Ballesteros for 2026 fantasy baseball?
In 20 games and 57 ABs last year, Moises Ballesteros went 12/2/11/.298 as a Cub. That was as a 21-year-old. He’s now 22. (Happy birfday!) He was as impressive as I’ve seen with the bat in the minors the past two years. This year he went 62/13/76/.316/5 in 446 ABs in Triple-A. Last year in Triple and Double-A, he went 57/19/78/.289/1 in 454 ABs. He’s been barely able to drink for some of those numbers. Real-life scouts are down on him because he can’t really catch. I think he’s good enough for once a week, but maybe he just DHs. He’s plenty good enough to do that. I mention this because of eligibility (he’ll start the year as UT-only), and why you might see low prospect grades for him. All he does is hit .280+ and for power. Oh, shucks, what a shame, he said sarcastically. Here’s some clips:
Moisés Ballesteros hits his first Major League home run …
TO ANTHONY RIZZO ? pic.twitter.com/C8fXQoXVuH
— MLB (@MLB) September 13, 2025
Hehe, that’s still super cute. Here’s an equally impressive if less cute clip:
MO BALLER MO POWER. pic.twitter.com/LQFB40XDUk
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 17, 2025
Mo baller, Mo power? Uh, okay. I watched a lot of clips, before deciding to do a Moises Ballesteros fantasy outlook post. He looks around a 20/.280 hitter as a rookie. The one flaw might be his penchant for hitting the ball into the ground. He’s got some Yandy Diaz in him. (Hey now!) And it’s not because he has 24-inch pythons for biceps. His 20% fly ball rate in the majors with a 0.8 Launch Angle is kinda hilarious since he still hit two homers. He had a 9-degree Launch Angle in Triple-A and a 26.2% fly ball rate. He had a decent line drive in Triple-A (24.1%) so that’s why I think Yandy is a fair comp for now, until he either proves he can consistently hit the ball in the air. Call him Moises Ballsinthegrounderos.
Playing time, even if the Cubs don’t sign someone, is little murky, but not awful. That he’s a lefty cuts his at-bats by an automatic 75 to 100 ABs. Also, he has to cede the DH spot every time someone gets banged up (except when he can catch). Think if Seiya has a sore hammy and needs DH, then Moises is hitting the bench. If Moises gets catcher eligibility by May (possible, but maybe more like June/July), he could be a top five to seven catcher, and worth rostering in all leagues. Or undraftable, as mentioned in the opening about the Cubs signing someone. For 2026 fantasy baseball, I’ll give Moises Ballesteros projections of 47/14/51/.277/3 in 341 ABs with a chance for more or less.
Would you trade a $12 Baz for a $6 Keaschall? Have plenty of pitching, need depth at middle infield. It’s a 12 team ottoneu points league. Thanks.
Yes
Imanaga staying with the Cubs. Surprised me.
That is surprising…I thought he was out the door with Tucker
Fun fact: Tucker also rhymes with what the collective Blue Jays fan base called Andy Pages after that Game 7 catch.
The only way to appease the baseball gods now is for the Jays to sign Kyle Tucker to a long-term deal. And maybe add a top starter, a closer, and another bullpen piece as well.
Because if I’m dreaming, why aim low? Haha.
I wouldn’t be shocked if the Jays sign him, though I wouldn’t be shocked if the Rockies do too…I would be shocked if the Pirates did
Ya I’m hearing Toronto Tucker too. I’d still rather see Bellinger, but any big signing would be welcomed after years of striking out up here.
Tucker was in Myles Straw’s wedding party and after Tucker announced he and his wife were expecting a baby, Straw tweeted out if he signs in T.O., he’ll babysit for free. Ha.
I said it to someone else. If two places were offering me the same cash/term and one had some of my close buddies working there, I’m pretty sure I know where I’d end up.
Finally Myles Straw is useful!
Hey Grey!
I’m starting to evaluate my keeper options for next year in my 5×5 H2H league. We can keep 10 with gradually increasing rounds, max 5 years. Would you change any of the 10 below (Abrams and McLean seem the most debatable imo):
Current List
Acuna – 2nd (0 more years after 2026)
Elly DLC – 20th (2 more)
Carroll – 15th (1 more)
Skenes – 17th (1 more)
Caminero – 18th (1 more)
Langford – 21st (2 more)
Ragans – 18th (1 more)
Eury – 16th (2 more)
McLean – 28th (4 more)
Abrams – 14th (1 more)
Alternatives
Joe Ryan – 6th (1 more)
Michael Harris – 13th (1 more)
Naylor – 13th (1 more)
Thanks!
Yeah, I’d go Naylor over McLean…Or Ryan…Depends how your team lines up, if you prefer SP or 1B
10-Team Dynasty 6×6 Salary Cap ($260) – 40 man roster – OBP/SLG and QS/IP
Team A gives:
Neto ($5)
Team B gives:
Munoz ($9)
Horton ($2)
3rd round pick
Which side do you prefer?
It’s close, I’d give the slight edge to Neto