Surprise Cubs catching prospect could soon overshadow Moises Ballesteros

Mark Brown/GettyImagesThinking a catching prospect that's yet to play above A-ball is about to leapfrog a consensus top-100 talent like Moises Ballesteros is far-fetched, at best. That doesn't mean we can't take note of what Owen Ayers is doing in the Arizona Fall League, though - or consider what it could mean for the team's long-term plans behind the dish.

Ayers, selected in the 19th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Marshall University, is turning heads in Arizona - both at the plate and behind it. The switch-hitting backstop had put up big-time numbers in eight games, slashing .333/.471/.667 with three home runs, two doubles and nine RBI.

Now, pitching in the AFL is not what it used to…