Cubs catcher Moisés Ballesteros goes on ABS hot streak vs. Brewers
PHOENIX — Cubs catcher Moisés Ballesteros was on a hot streak Wednesday. Not hitting, but in ABS challenges.
From behind the plate in the Cubs' 4-1 win against the Brewers, Ballesteros won three straight challenges — two in the same at-bat against Brewers switch hitter Luis Lara.
“The visibility he has is incredible,” right-hander Edward Cabrera said, through team interpreter Fredy Quevedo Jr., after throwing 2⅔ scoreless innings. “So I'm really happy for him. I was shocked … he got three correct. Good for him. And then just to be able to have that confidence to be able to make those calls.”
In the second inning, in a 0-1 count, Cabrera clipped the inside edge of the strike zone with a changeup. Home plate umpire Evin Johnson called it a ball, but Ballesteros had that overturned for strike two.
Lara fouled off the next two pitches. Then Cabrera landed a curveball that barely grazed the outside edge of the zone. The ball call was overturned to complete the strikeout.
For good measure, two batters later, Ballesteros also won an ABS challenge on a low and outside changeup that swiped the bottom of the zone.
A fourth-inning heat check ended Ballesteros’ streak. An ABS review upheld the ball call on an inside cutter that Cubs right-hander Jaxon Wiggins threw to Brewers left-handed hitter David Hamilton.
Ballesteros experienced ABS in the minors, but he said it’s something he’s been working on this spring as well.
The Cubs plan to have Ballesteros play more behind the plate than last year, when he almost exclusively served as a designated hitter during his major-league stints.
“I feel really confident right now behind the plate,” he said Wednesday. “And I trust myself behind the plate right now.”
Counsell reflection on Horton
Cubs right-hander Cade Horton has yet to allow a run in two spring appearances. In three innings total, he’s given up just one hit. It’s been a strong start to camp, after a glowing rookie 2025 season.
Expectations are high for Horton’s sophomore season, but manager Craig Counsell pushed back on the notion that he’s only just starting to scratch the surface.
“Cade was about as good as you're going to see a pitcher pitch last year,” Counsell said Wednesday morning. “Growth from that season? I don't think you're ever going to expect more than that. If he would have racked up 50 more innings, that's a Cy Young candidate.
“We're looking forward to giving him the ball and getting a full season from him. But last year was pretty remarkable.”
Checking in from Team USA
Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd stopped by the Cubs complex after throwing two scoreless innings for Team USA on Wednesday in an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants, Counsell said.
“To be around those players is every player's dream,” Counsell said of the star-studded United States national team. “Matt's been around, and he said it gives you different feelings walking into the clubhouse. And that's why you do it, right? This is one of the elder statesmen, in terms of age of the team. So it's just special. It's just special when you get in the room with the best in the world, that's a different feeling.”