The Chicago Cubs have some decisions to make regarding their playoff roster. They clinched a spot in the MLB playoffs about a week ago, and their wild-card round matchup is set. Chicago will be taking on the San Diego Padres in a highly anticipated three-game set. The series will be at Wrigley Field.
Chicago called up Moisés Ballesteros originally back in early May. Still, he had been floating between Triple-A and the big league club for most of the year, until he saw more consistent playing time in September.
With the health of Kyle Tucker still kinda up in the air, it has led many who follow the Cubs to wonder if Moisés Ballesteros will be on Chicago's playoff roster.
Moisés Ballesteros has shown some early promise
Throughout the 2025 season, Ballesteros had been absolutely tearing up Triple-A Iowa, and it didn't make sense for him to continue to be down in the minors.
Although he's appeared in just 18 games this season, he's found some early success with the big league club.
Ballesteros is hitting .283 with two home runs, two doubles, and an OPS of .859 in 53 at-bats. It's a small sample size, but if Tucker is going to be able to play the field, that may open up a spot for Ballesteros to play against right-handed starters. If they deem that Tucker will be strictly a designated hitter in the playoffs, Moisés may have a pinch-hitter role instead.
Either way, it's a great sign for the Cubs and their future to have all of their young stars getting postseason experience. Ballesteros isn't getting many at-bats against left-handed pitching, which points to him being a platoon option if he is on the postseason roster.
Chicago is entering its final series of the MLB season, and will have to decide on what its wild-card roster will be early next week.
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