Cubs unveil 2024 Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year
The Cubs handed out yearly awards to their minor leaguers Wednesday afternoon.
Moisés Ballesteros was named the organization’s Buck O’Neil Minor League Player of the Year while Brandon Birdsell was tabbed as the Vedie Himsl Minor League Pitcher of the year.
Ballesteros also won the Player of the Year accolade in 2023. The last Cubs prospect to win 2 Player of the Year awards was Brennen Davis (2019, 2021).
Ballesteros turns 21 in November and reached Triple-A Iowa during the 2024 campaign. Overall in 124 games between Triple-A and Double-A, he hit .289/.354/.471 (.826 OPS) with 19 homers, 78 RBI and 57 runs scored.
He mostly saw time at catcher with Iowa (45 games) but also served as the DH for 20 games and played first base for 2 contests.
As a left-handed hitter with an advanced approach, it’s not out of the question to think Ballesteros could reach the majors at some point in 2025.
[Complete Cubs minor league coverage on the Marquee Sports Network app]Birdsell, 24, was a 5th round pick by the Cubs in 2022. The right-hander made 27 appearances (26 starts) for the Cubs this season between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa.
In total, Birdsell posted an 8-9 record, 3.91 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 134 strikeouts in 135.2 innings.