Cubs' Moises Ballesteros looking to take the next step this year — and more

Cubs' Moises Ballesteros looking to take the next step this year originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Ahead of the 2021 season, Moises Ballesteros signed as an international free agent with the Chicago Cubs and went straight to the Dominican Summer League Cubs. 

The following year, he would play in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Cubs and then go on to Single-A. In 2023, in Double-A, he would become the club's Minor League Player of the Year.

He would play the majority of his games in Triple-A last season, but did get some MLB experience. He made his debut in May and ended up playing in 20 games. 

MORE: Veterans and a top prospect square off for the Cubs' fourth outfielder spot

Cubs' Moises Ballesteros looking to take the next step this year

During his cup of coffee in the big leagues, Ballesteros hit .298/.394/.474 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 11 runs batted in. 

With Kyle Tucker gone, his role for the Cubs has gotten much bigger now. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes he could be the club's biggest offensive breakout this year. 

"After a forgettable five-game cup of coffee in May and a one-off promotion in July, Ballesteros was called up for good in mid-September, and he hit .333/.435/.564 with four extra-base hits and five RBI in 46 plate appearances. The Owen Caissie trade makes him the clear beneficiary of Kyle Tucker's departure, with all signs leading to Seiya Suzuki shifting back to right field and Ballesteros slotting in as the primary DH."

Ballesteros is expected to be primarily used as a DH, while getting back behind the plate when he is needed. He will need to perform well to keep Suzuki out in the outfield. 

If he struggles at DH, you can expect the Cubs to move Suzuki back to the DH spot and put someone like Dylan Carlson or Chas McCormick to play the outfield. So, all eyes will be on Ballesteros early this year.

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It was an every other week kind of month for "WWE Raw" in January, at least when it came to their Netflix rating. Twice during the month, "Raw" was able to place in Netlix's global top ten rankings, only to then fall out a week later, leaving its viewership data a mystery. But after placing 6th for their February 2 episode, there was hope that "Raw" might actually place in the top ten for two consecutive weeks, the first time it would've done so since November.

It was a goal they achieved, albeit with some viewership dips to go along with it. Wrestlenomics reports that the February 9 episode of "Raw" placed 7th in Netflix's global top ten rankings. Though it was down one spot from 6th on February 2, the placement meant viewership data was available. The show drew 2.9 million global views over the course of the week, down from 3.1 million views for February 2. Likewise, hours viewed was also down, with February 9 drawing 5.1 million, down from 5.8 million.

Despite the small drops, WWE will likely be thrilled to place in the global rankings for two consecutive weeks once more and to place as high as seventh, which trails only the February 2 episode as the highest placement "Raw" has received in those rankings since November. "Raw" similarly placed 7th in the domestic Netflix rankings, though the news was less good there, as it fell two spots from 5th place.

Airing out of Cleveland, Ohio, "Raw" featured a confrontation between AJ Lee and WWE Women's Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, leading to a match between the two being made for Elimination Chamber. "Raw" also saw a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match announced for the Chamber as well, with CM Punk agreeing to defend the title against Finn Balor, in what will be a homefield advantage for Punk thanks to the PLE taking place in Chicago, Illinois.

Read more: Times Wrestlers Got In Trouble For Breaking Kayfabe

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Read the original article on Wrestling Inc.

This is one way to do it.

Phillies' Alec Bohm might be in a Spring Training battle for third base job with Aidan Miller originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There is one major need the Philadelphia Phillies didn't address this offseason, which they desperately needed to: the cleanup spot. Alec Bohm isn't good enough to hit fourth, and there isn't another good option who can hit there.

With some uncertainty at the cleanup spot, the Phillies could get creative. While Bohm might not be the answer, a third baseman could be the cleanup. Instead of Bohm, what about Aidan Miller?

The Phillies top prospect is, as Devan Kaney of 94 WIP shared, getting reps at third base this spring. With how much hype there is surrounding Miller, it wouldn't be strange for a strong spring to catapult him into the starting lineup over Bohm this year.

Could Aidan Miller take over for Alec Bohm at 3B?

Seeing Aidan Miller taking grounders at third base alongside Bohm is a noteworthy development out of the Phillies camp.

Aidan Miller taking grounders at 3B with Alec Bohm pic.twitter.com/cr0CrzEwTJ

— Devan Kaney (@Devan_Kaney) February 17, 2026

Miller is a shortstop primarily, but getting reps at third base indicates the Phillies are planning for Miller to get a chance to start there in the Majors.

While these reps could be to prepare Miller for the job in 2027, after Bohm leaves in free agency following the 2026 MLB season, there's a non-zero chance Miller ascends this year.

If Miller can piece together a strong spring following his massive breakout 2025 season for the Phillies, where he had a .262 batting average with an .825 OPS, 14 home runs, and 59 stolen bases, then Miller could have a chance to make the Opening Day roster.

More: MLB analyst makes the case for the Phillies to sign 2x All-Star arm

But, even if he misses out on making the roster right from the beginning of the season, a good spring and beginning of the minor league season could convince the Phillies to promote him to the Majors and replace Bohm if the veteran third baseman struggles.

Bohm's job isn't safe, evidenced by the Phillies' attempts to trade him both this offseason and last year's offseason.

One of the big fears with the Phillies is the team "running it back." Moving on from Bohm and giving Miller the chance to start would be a good way to shake things up, while also providing some extra juice to the lineup.

A lot still needs to happen for Miller to take over Bohm's starting job, but the door for such a move is open, and the early spring fielding drills indicate the Phillies are, at the very least, entertaining such a pivot in 2026.

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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe confirmed that defender Emil Krafth has undergone knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

Howe stated the injury occurred during a national team camp in November and that surgery was necessary as Krafth could not perform at a high level. Additionally, the 31-year-old will miss Sweden's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Poland or Albania.