The Chicago Cubs finished second in the National League Central this season, but the future looks bright thanks to Moises Ballesteros and Brandon Birdsell.

The team said on social media:

Congratulations to Buck O’Neil Cubs Minor League Player of the Year Moisés Ballesteros and Vedie Himsl Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year Brandon Birdsell!

Ballesteros, 20, split the season between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. He hit .289 overall with 19 homers, 78 RBIs and a .354 on-base percentage. He played in a total of 124 matches this season. He is currently ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the organization, according to MLB.com. This site has him pegged as a call-up for next season.

Birdsell, on the other hand, is a 24-year-old righty who was drafted out of Texas Tech in 2022. He went 8-9 with a 3.91 ERA last season and struck out 134 batters in 135.2 innings. He started in 26 of 27 matches. He also split his time between the Double-A and Triple-A levels.

MLB.com ranks him as the No. 23 prospect in the organization. It is also anticipated that he will be called to duty in 2025.

The Cubs provided more information about the awards via a press release on Wednesday:

The Cubs Minor League Player of the Year Award is named for the legendary John “Buck” O’Neil, who spent 33 seasons (1956-88) in the Cubs organization as a scout, coach and instructor.

The Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award is named for AB “Vedie” Himsl, a former minor league pitcher who spanned 32 seasons with the Cubs through 1985. He joined the organization as a scout and served as an associate a year later in 1953. He wrote the final scouting report that recommended the signing of Ernie Banks, the first African American to play for the Cubs.

puppies In the league race, St. Louis Cardinals, and both teams finished behind the Milwaukee Brewers. Expectations will be high for the Cubs in 2025 as manager Craig Counsell enters his second season in Chicago.

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