The Chicago Cubs will be getting younger in the next couple of years as their farm system stars begin to emerge. Here’s a look at Chicago’s three highest-ranked catching prospects, per MLB.com:
Moises Ballesteros (No. 4 Prospect)
The 21-year-old Ballesteros continues to emerge as one of the Chicago Cubs’ most promising young prospects. The left-handed hitting catcher brings impressive bat-first tools, making him a potential cornerstone for the organization. At the plate, Ballesteros displays a mature approach far beyond his years, with excellent plate discipline and the ability to make consistent hard contact. His power has steadily developed, with his ability to drive the ball to all fields suggesting a future as a middle-of-the-order run producer.
Defensively, Ballesteros has made notable strides in his framing and blocking skills, earning praise from coaches for his work ethic and willingness to improve. His arm strength is solid, but not spectacular and some doubt his overall athleticism when it comes to every day catching duties. While there’s still room for refinement in his game-calling, his natural leadership and rapport with pitchers are evident.
Pablo Aliendo (No. 12 Prospect)
Pablo Aliendo has developed into a well-rounded catching prospect with tools that make him an intriguing piece for the Chicago Cubs’ future. The 23-year-old backstop offers a blend of defensive acumen and offensive potential, positioning himself as a player to watch in the coming seasons.
Defensively, Aliendo is polished, with excellent agility and quickness behind the plate. His blocking and receiving skills are above average, and his framing continues to improve, drawing positive reviews from his pitchers. His arm strength is notable, and he has consistently shown the ability to control the running game with accurate throws and a quick release.
Offensively, Aliendo profiles as a contact hitter with emerging power. While he doesn’t project as a slugger, his gap-to-gap approach and improving pitch recognition have made him a more consistent threat at the plate. His ability to handle high-quality pitching suggests he can contribute offensively at the big-league level.
With continued development, Aliendo has the potential to carve out a role as a solid everyday catcher or a valuable backup in the Cubs’ future plans.
Michael Carico (Unranked by MLB.com)
Carico, 22, has gained recognition as one of the more intriguing catching prospects in professional baseball. A left-handed hitter, Carico brings a big bat to the game and is profiled as a bat-first player, although his defense is gradually improving. At the plate, Carico possesses excellent plate discipline and a keen eye, which allows him to draw walks and avoid chasing pitches out of the zone. His smooth swing generates consistent line drives, and while he’s not a pure power hitter, he has enough strength to produce home runs, particularly to his pull side.
For a look at the Cubs’ top outfield prospects, click HERE.
For a look at the Cubs’ top infield prospects, click HERE.
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