Cubs ‘accelerating’ role for ROY candidate who’s earning Kyle Schwarber comps

Despite the Chicago Cubs’ loss to the San Diego Padres on Monday night, 9-7, one of the positives was another impressive showing by rookie catcher Moises Ballesteros. Though the Cubs have been dealing with injuries to the pitching staff, fans have been liking what they’ve been seeing from Ballesteros, as the latest reports detail his progress.

According to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, the team plans to keep “accelerating the catching program” for Ballesteros, after his first start on Monday. This comes after the game where he hit a monstrous 404-foot grand slam in the top of the third inning.

“The club is accelerating the catching program for Ballesteros, who received his first start this season behind the plate in Monday night’s 9-7 loss to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. And then, in front of a sellout crowd of 41,478, he showed his flair for hitting by delivering a grand slam,” Mooney wrote.

Moisés Ballesteros crushes a GRAND SLAM pic.twitter.com/UNX1qOHT0a

— MLB (@MLB) April 28, 2026

So far this season, Ballesteros has recorded a .387 batting average to go along with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 25 games, with the one comparison being made to him is for Chicago slugger Kyle Schwarber, now with the Philadelphia Phillies.

“We talked about the comparisons with Kyle Schwarber — that’s Schwarber land where that ball landed,” analyst and former pitcher for the team, Rick Sutcliffe, said.

The Cubs want to see Moises Ballesteros get more experience at catcher

Schwarber is an interesting comparison for Ballesteros since the Phillies star is no longer playing the catcher position anymore, though he has become a very productive power hitter with a $150 million contract and a World Series. Still, Ballesteros is seeing opportunity as Chicago’s designated hitter.

The team also has Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya as catchers, though manager Craig Counsell mentioned wanting more experience for Ballesteros at catcher.

“If things happen, it could be more often,” Counsell said. “If things don’t happen, it’ll probably just be occasional. But being prepared — if it had to be more — is part of it.”

At any rate, it remains to be seen how Ballesteros’ usage progresses throughout his rookie year.

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