Cubs Catcher Ballesteros Demoted to Triple-A Iowa
The Chicago Cubs have demoted catcher Moisés Ballesteros to Triple-A Iowa, according to the team's official transactions page. The move brings a highly regarded young backstop to Des Moines, giving I-Cubs fans a new face to watch as the season heats up.
What the Ballesteros Move Means for Iowa
While the organization has yet to formally announce the demotion, the transaction is already official. Ballesteros arrives in Des Moines as a notable roster shift for the I-Cubs, who are looking to build momentum after a tough series. His presence behind the plate and at the plate should provide a spark for a club that has shown serious power but needs more consistency.
I-Cubs Power Display Not Enough in 11-8 Loss
The Iowa Cubs fell to the Indianapolis Indians on Thursday, losing 11-8 despite a barrage of home runs. The long ball was not the problem for Iowa. Keeping Indianapolis off the bases was the real issue.
Starting pitcher Will Sanders turned in a solid outing, giving the I-Cubs exactly what they needed early. Sanders surrendered just one run on three hits over five innings. He struck out six, walked nobody, and sat at 92-93 miles per hour on his fastball.
The bullpen let the lead slip away. Right-hander Yosver Zueleta made his Cubs and Iowa debut in the sixth inning, and it was a rough one. Zueleta gave up five runs on three hits over just two-thirds of an inning. He walked two batters, unleashed two wild pitches, and managed only one strikeout. He was hitting 95-97 on the radar gun, but the velocity did not translate to results.
Who Homered for the Iowa Cubs?
The I-Cubs lineup did its job at the plate. Every single starter recorded at least one hit.
Left fielder Jonathon Long opened the scoring with a 433-foot solo home run in the second inning. Long finished the day 3 for 5 with a double, the homer, and two runs scored. It was his fifth home run of the year.
Right fielder Chas McCormick delivered the biggest blast of the night, crushing a 467-foot two-run homer in the sixth inning. It was McCormick's eighth home run this season. He went 1 for 4 with a walk.
Catcher Christian Bethancourt followed later in the sixth with a 432-foot two-run home run, his eighth of the season. Bethancourt went 2 for 4 and scored twice.
First baseman Casey Opitz then went back-to-back with Bethancourt for his first home run of 2026. Opitz finished 1 for 4.
Designated hitter BJ Murray added a strong day at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored once.
Knoxville Smokies Move Into First Place Tie
The Double-A Knoxville Smokies moved back into a first-place tie with a 4-1 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts. The Smokies and Lookouts are now tied for the first-half title with just three games remaining.
Knoxville won this game with pure power and steady pitching. Dawson Netz started and earned the win, allowing just one run on six hits over five innings. He struck out seven. Reliever Erian Rodriguez pitched three scoreless innings, and Marino Santy closed it out with a save in the ninth.
The Smokies only had three hits in the entire game, but all three were solo home runs in the fourth inning. Third baseman Jefferson Rojas tied the game with his 11th homer. Catcher Owen Ayers went back-to-back with his 12th home run. Center fielder Andy Garriola then hit his team-leading 13th home run. Rojas also drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh for his second RBI.
South Bend Cubs Drop Doubleheader
The High-A South Bend Cubs lost both games of a doubleheader against the Ft. Wayne TinCaps, falling 4-3 in eight innings and 5-2.
Mason McGwire, who was just activated off the development list, started the first game and gave South Bend three solid innings. He allowed one run on two hits, striking out three. Cole Reynolds pitched the next four frames, surrendering just a solo home run. The bullpen could not hold the line late, with Adam Stone giving up two runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Catcher Justin Stransky drove in two runs on a single and drew two walks for South Bend.
In game two, Jostin Florentino pitched well but took a no-decision. He gave up just one hit and one run over four innings while striking out six. Third baseman Matt Halbach hit his sixth home run of the season for South Bend's offense.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans Explode for 21 Runs
The Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans crushed the Delmarva Shorebirds 21-10, thanks to an incredible 12-run eighth inning. The Pelicans sent 16 batters to the plate in that frame, and five of them hit home runs.
Shortstop Derniche Valdez hit a two-run homer. Catcher Henniel Alcala hit a three-run shot for his first home run with the Pelicans. Center fielder Alexey Lumpuy added a solo homer and stole two bases. First baseman Michael Carico hit a three-run blast, and right fielder Geri Lubo capped the inning with a three-run drive.
Second baseman Alexis Hernandez doubled twice and drove in two runs. Left fielder Darlyn De Leon went 3 for 5 with two doubles, three RBI, and three runs scored.
Will Ballesteros Boost the I-Cubs Lineup?
Ballesteros brings real talent to Des Moines, and his demotion could be a short-term reset or a longer assignment. For Iowa fans, it means a chance to see a top organizational catching prospect up close. The I-Cubs have shown they can hit for power. Adding another bat to the mix could help turn close losses into wins.