May 13-19, 2025

Moisés Ballesteros (C, CHC)

The players covered in this column are only those who still have rookie status as determined by MLB, and who have not already been written up earlier in 2025. Find previous Call-up profiles on the Content tab of the player's PlayerLink page. 

Contributing writers: Jeremy Deloney, Nick Richards, Matthew St-Germain, and Jesse Severe

 

May 14, 2025

Moisés Ballesteros (C, CHC)
While only 21 years old, Ballesteros is already a professional hitter. Gifted with excellent bat speed, sound plate awareness and decision making, and above-average power, the young Venezuelan has all the hallmarks of an exciting major league bat. 5'8" and 195 pounds, Ballesteros is stocky and slow, and will need to make it work at C otherwise he's a DH all the way. He broke out in a big way in 2024 and that has only continued in 2025 upon repeat of Triple-A, upping his marks across the board where it matters most: .363 xwOBA, 46.6% hard hit, 106.5 mph 90th%EV, 85.2% zone contact, 71.4% out-of-zone contact, 10.7% K%, 19.2% whiff, 8.2% SwK. While Ballesteros is adept at waiting for his pitch to hit and routinely uses the whole field, he does chase on fastballs (36.1%) and off speed (30.4%) stuff, and his barrel rate is below average at 5.1%. He's also driving the ball into the ground 47.9% of the time and running a fairly high 39.3% hit rate. His ability to do damage on fastballs (.500 xwOBA) and breaking balls (.446) should put him in line for success right away, however, his relatively weak impact on off-speed (.256) pitches suggests MLB pitchers are due to throw him lots of change-ups once he arrives. As for his defense, while Ballesteros has done well improving behind the plate, he remains below average both in receiving and throwing, so much so that while this is likely an above-average regular, he's looking more and more like a primary DH who works as a back-up C. Case in point: He's already at 5 E in 23 g and has a paltry 13% CS% (27 SB on 31 SBA), a long term issue that has not improved. It's too soon to give up on him behind the dish but right now one should bet the under on him sticking there long term. If he hits, however, it won't matter.
STATS: Ballesteros Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 51 on HQ100, No. 3 on CHC Org Report, Eyes Have It (April 25, 2024), Eyes Have It (September 24, 2023)
CURRENT ROLE: Starting DH
POTENTIAL: Starting C
RATING: 9D

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May 13, 2025

Jordan Lawlar (SS, ARI)
This is one of the big ones. When the top prospect was first called up in September 2023, he got to be part of the Diamondbacks' improbable playoff run. While he only got two plate appearances in the playoffs, he did draw a walk and score a run in the World Series. 2024 was a lost year for Lawlar, as injuries to a thumb and a hamstring permitted only 85 AB for the year. That was only the latest in a string of injuries that have also included shoulder surgery. Now Lawlar is healthy and hitting a red-hot .336/.439/.592 at AAA. Lawlar is a 6'0", 190lb 22-year old who was drafted out of high school in the first round four years ago in 2021. Lawlar is the total package. While injuries have limited his time at upper levels, the early sample this year solidifies the confidence scouts have long had in his ability to hit. Lawlar's bat speed and smarts at the plate portend continued hitting success at the Major League level. Lawlar possesses elite speed and the ability to convert it into stolen bases. The piece waiting to materialize is power. While there is reason to hope for growth, 44 HR in 1048 minor league AB show the power is not there yet. As Lawlar continues to mature, the power may yet emerge. It appears Lawlar will be eased in slowly to major league action. While he profiles as an above-average shortstop, Geraldo Perdomo's emergence at that position has led Arizona to play Lawlar at 2B, SS, and 3B at AAA this year. Early expectations are that Lawlar will only play part time and at multiple positions at the beginning. In the long term, Lawlar is expected to be a star.

STATS: Lawlar Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 1 on ARI Org Report; No. 7 on HQ100, Minor Leaguers with Preseason Questions
CURRENT ROLE: Part-time IF
POTENTIAL ROLE: Starting SS
RATING: 9B

 

PLAYER POTENTIAL RATING
Scale of (1-10) representing a player’s upside potential
10 - Hall of Fame-type player
9 - Elite player
8 - Solid regular
7 - Average regular
6 - Platoon player
5 - Major League reserve player
4 - Top minor league player
3 - Average minor league player
2 - Minor league reserve player
1 - Minor league roster filler

PROBABILITY RATING
Scale of (A-E) representing the player’s realistic chances of achieving their potential
A - 90% probability of reaching potential
B - 70% probability of reaching potential
C - 50% probability of reaching potential
D - 30% probability of reaching potential
E - 10% probability of reaching potential

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