SAN DIEGO — The Rookie of the Year Award has been around since 1947. Since 1949, when one player in each league won the award, the Cubs and White Sox have never had winners in the same season.
Could this be the season that changes? Based on the (very) early returns, you could make that case.
If Munetaka Murakami keeps hitting Mune shots for the South Siders, and Moises Ballesteros keeps raking for the North Siders, they should both rate as front-runners.
The 26-year-old Murakami, who established his credentials as a slugger in six seasons in Japan, has 12 home runs to lead all major-league rookies. The White Sox have had just two Rookies of the Year since 1985: Jose Abreu (2014) and Ozzie Guillen (1985).
MUNETAKA MURAKAMI HOMERS FOR A 4TH STRAIGHT GAME! pic.twitter.com/68FsSqpqi1
— MLB (@MLB) April 22, 2026
The 22-year-old Ballesteros, who hit his first career grand slam in the Cubs’ 9-7 loss to the Padres Monday night, has just 62 at-bats so far this season, but his slash line of .387/.435/.710/1.145 is easily the best among rookies in both leagues. The Cubs have had four Rookies of the Year since 1989: Kris Bryant (2015), Geovany Soto (2008), Kerry Wood (1998) and Jerome Walton (1989).
MO CAN SWING IT. pic.twitter.com/POatrjlIjV
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 28, 2026
Reds first baseman Sal Stewart, drafted out of the same Miami high school (Westminster Christian) that produced Alex Rodriguez, has had a big month, with nine home runs, 29 RBIs, and seven stolen bases, but his OPS of .987 is 258 percentage points less than that of Ballesteros.
And what could prove to be a boon to the candidacy of the native of Los Toques, Venezuela, is if he gains more opportunities to catch. In 20 games last season, Ballesteros served as DH in 20 games, and caught once. This season, he has appeared as DH in 21 of 25 games.
Are more appearances in the offing?
“If things happen,’’ manager Craig Counsell said, “it could be more often. If things don’t happen, it’ll probably just be occasional. But being prepared — if it had to be more — is part of it.’’
The Cubs have two quality catchers in Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, but Matthew Boyd praised the progress Ballesteros has made defensively.
“Bally can hit,’’ Boyd said. “He can hit. And he’s come so far. I mean, he’s sufficient behind the plate. He’s good back there. I mean, he’s working hard. Like, he does the job well. This is the evolution. How old is he, 22 years old, working his tail off on the defensive side. He’s doing a great job back there.’’
With a bat in his hands, he has been lethal. The fans back home already are communicating their anticipation of something special about to happen. When Counsell sent him to pinch hit in the fifth inning against the Phillies last Tuesday, the crowd rose to its feet, chanting his name. Ballesteros drew a bases-loaded walk.
The grand slam last night, accompanied by a bat flip worthy of a baton twirler at the Rose Parade, traveled an estimated 404 feet deep into the right-field stands of Petco Park.
“I gotta say, we’re not surprised,’’ Boyd said. “We’ve been seeing it now for over a year, and he’s done it at level. He’s just got an advanced approach. He understands. As a pitcher, thinking about him as a hitter, he keeps his hands back so well, and he’s able to adjust off-speed. What he does is really impressive. He’s a huge reason we are where we are today.’’
On his first at-bat Monday, Ballesteros said he missed Randy Vasquez’s cutter. “I went back to the dugout and told Miggy (Amaya) and (Daniel) Palencia, if he throws me the cutter again …”
Bang.
How much does he like catching? “It’s my favorite part of the game,’’ he said. “After hitting.’’
