The Chicago Cubs are going to have some questions that need answering soon regarding their Opening Day roster. With Seiya Suzuki injured, and the extent of his injury unknown, they need to figure out a solution in right field. And while Matt Shaw can certainly play the position, a bigger question is how the team is going to replace the 30+ home runs that Suzuki hit a year ago.
Indeed, the Cubs offense is going to be interesting to watch as it comes into form in 2026. With Kyle Tucker now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago signed Alex Bregman to help replace his bat. However, losing Suzuki so late in the spring does not allow the Cubs time to go and find an external solution to replace his power (if, indeed, they need to).
But the solution to that may come internally in the form of top prospect Moises Ballesteros.
The Chicago Cubs may platoon Moises Ballesteros at DH
Ballesteros is almost certainly going to make the Opening Day roster for Chicago. Last year, in his first 20-game stint in the Majors, he hit .298/.394/.474 with two home runs and 11 RBI. This spring, he has hit .333/.357/.407 with six RBI in nine games.
The problem, though, is that he plays catcher and first, and the Cubs are set at those positions. However, Jim Bowden of The Athletic believes Chicago will actually be better off platooning Ballesteros at designated hitter:
“The Cubs believe that he will be good enough defensively to be an everyday catcher in time, but for now his best role is as a platoon designated hitter against righties. He has above-average bat-to-ball skills and can hit all types of pitches, including high velocity, sharp breaking balls and off-speed offerings. He’ll use the entire field to hit line drives with elite exit velocity.”
Using Ballesteros as a DH against right-handed pitchers will get him into the lineup most days. Additionally, it will give Cubs coaches time to work with him defensively at both first base and catcher.
From what Bowden says, it looks like he is likely going to be their future at the catcher position, but for now they need him for his bat. Using him as a platoon DH will allow them to do that while also giving him time to develop defensively.
More Chicago Cubs news from Chicity Sports
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- Cubs fans question Seiya Suzuki Instagram post after injury
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