Why Ballesteros’ debut was so special for his family

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- While Moisés Ballesteros was on the phone Monday night, receiving the news that he was being promoted to the Major Leagues, his father was standing nearby listening to his son speak. They had dreamed of this moment, but that they were together was a small miracle.

Ballesteros’ parents, Harry and Andry, had arrived in the United States on Monday evening from Venezuela after two years of working to secure visas with assistance from the Cubs. They were staying in Ballesteros’ living room in Iowa, fully expecting to finally see their son play professionally for the first time in person at Triple-A.

“He told me when I was young he knew he'd watch me play pro ball,” Ballesteros said on Wednesday. “And then the opportunity to watch me for the first time in pro ball was in the big leagues.”

Ballesteros’ parents and his younger brother were in the stands at Wrigley Field for his Major League debut in Tuesday’s 5-4 walk-off win over the Marlins. The 21-year-old catching prospect -- No. 4 on Pipeline’s Cubs list and No. 61 in the Top 100 rankings -- was slotted into the seventh spot of manager Craig Counsell’s lineup as the designated hitter.

One day earlier, Ballesteros welcomed his parents to Des Moines around 5 p.m. CT after their journey from their native Venezuela. The phone call from Triple-A Iowa manager Marty Pevey arrived around 10:30 p.m., while Ballesteros was playing MLB The Show and his parents were doing laundry and winding down for the night.

Ballesteros joked that the emotions in that moment nearly made him throw his controller and then he felt in shock for a few minutes. Then, he got to tell his parents in person that the Cubs needed him in Chicago and they had to pack for the airport.

“My dad was listening when I was on the phone. And then the house was silent,” Ballesteros said. “And then he cried and my mom was really happy. It was a special moment.”

The Cubs selected Ballesteros’ contract after left fielder Ian Happ landed on the 10-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. The young catcher was slashing .368/.420/.522 with four homers, seven doubles, 18 RBIs and 12 walks in 34 games with Iowa and is getting a chance to show that his bat can play in the big leagues.

Ballesteros went 0-for-4 in his debut but acknowledged after the game that he was battling some nerves. At breakfast with his parents on Wednesday morning, his dad pointed out that he was too far out front on some pitches. Throughout his life, Ballesteros said his father has been there to encourage him.

“On bad days, he’d tell me, don’t hang my head, keep my head up every time,” Ballesteros said. “He told me every day was a new opportunity to play better.”

There will be plenty of games ahead for Ballesteros, who will never forget how this latest chapter of his career began.

“It was really good for me to have my family with me here, watching me play,” he said. “I was really excited, and it’s a special moment for my dad and my mom.”