In a lively St. Patrick’s Day matchup at Sloan Park, Cubs fans were treated to a spectacle as Moisés Ballesteros and Shōta Imanaga delivered standout performances against the Angels. Ballesteros, the Cubs' young catcher/DH, showcased his emerging power by launching two towering home runs to center field, signaling he might be poised for a breakout season.
On the mound, starting left-hander Shōta Imanaga was in dominant form. Over four innings, he struck out eight, allowing just a single hit-a solo homer by former Cub Jeimer Candelario in the fifth. Imanaga’s performance was a masterclass in pitching, with seven of his strikeouts coming on swings and an impressive 23 whiffs, the highest in the Cactus League this spring.
The Cubs’ offense was sparked early by Michael Conforto’s leadoff double, followed by Carson Kelly’s two-run homer. Ballesteros then added to the lead with his first blast, giving the Cubs a 3-0 advantage by the second inning. He struck again in the third with another long ball, reinforcing his potential as a major power threat.
The Cubs extended their lead in the fifth, with Dansby Swanson delivering a key double and Kelly driving in the final run in the sixth. Though the game got a bit messy in the ninth, with minor leaguer Jackson Kirkpatrick issuing a bases-loaded walk, Tyler Beede stepped in to close things out.
Not to be overlooked, prospect Pedro Ramirez impressed with slick defense at third base and two hits, making him a player to keep an eye on.
The game drew a packed house of 15,055 fans, many of whom were also following the World Baseball Classic action. As the Cubs gear up for their upcoming games, including a Wednesday matchup against the Diamondbacks in Scottsdale, they’ll be looking to build on these promising performances. Edward Cabrera is set to start against Arizona’s Merrill Kelly, with the game broadcast available via the D-backs' streaming service.
With the season just around the corner, Cubs fans have plenty to be excited about, especially with the likes of Ballesteros and Imanaga showing such potential.