Cubs’ Miguel Amaya Emerges as Key Catching Asset

CHICAGO, Ill. — Miguel Amaya, the Chicago Cubs‘ promising catcher, is proving to be a cornerstone for the team’s future as they prepare for the 2025 season. Initially seen as a potential disappointment after taking over Willson Contreras‘ role, Amaya has transformed into a reliable player both defensively and at the plate.

Amaya, 26, is slated to bat ninth in the Cubs’ season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday, following a modest performance in their international season debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he managed one hit in a 4-1 loss. His experience catching for many Cubs pitchers over the last two seasons is expected to provide a solid foundation for the team.

“I always believed Miguel would return strong after his surgery and become a regular catcher,” said Jed Hoyer, the Cubs’ president of baseball operations. The decision to let Contreras leave as a free agent after 2022 hinged on the team’s confidence in Amaya. However, his journey to solidifying his place as a major-league hitter has required time and patience.

In 2023 and the early part of 2024, Amaya posted a .200 batting average, struck out once every 3.8 at-bats, and hit a home run every 42.9 at-bats. However, a turning point appears to have occurred last summer. Amaya surged with a .324 batting average, five home runs, and only 15 strikeouts across 112 plate appearances during July and August. His strong spring training performance—hitting 13-for-24 with two home runs—further displayed his readiness for the upcoming season.

Amaya’s defensive skills complement his offensive potential. While his pitch framing skills are not highly rated, Statcast places him in the 98th percentile for pitch blocking, and Fangraphs credited him with a +5 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rating last season. This defensive reliability, along with the dynamic potential of 21-year-old Moises Ballesteros, suggests a bright future for the Cubs’ catching corps.

Ballesteros, who impressed during his first big-league camp by going 7-for-20 with two home runs and just three strikeouts this spring, has showcased his potential as a bat-first prospect standing 5-foot-8 and weighing 215 pounds. Hoyer’s scouts deemed him worth a $1.2 million signing bonus in 2021—the second-highest for a catcher in that international class. Despite ongoing debates about his defensive abilities, Ballesteros has reached Triple-A before his 21st birthday, boasting a .279 batting average, 46 home runs, and an .818 OPS across 352 career games.

As discussions arise about when Ballesteros will debut in the majors, an early assignment to first base or designated hitter remains a possibility should he not be needed behind the plate. Meanwhile, the Cubs bolstered their roster by signing veteran Carson Kelly to a two-year, $11.5 million deal. Although Kelly’s career batting average stands at .225 and he encountered a -6 DRS last season, he brings valuable experience and depth to the club.

The anticipated partnership between Amaya and Ballesteros is generating excitement among fans and analysts alike, highlighting a potential shift in the Cubs’ catching narrative. As the season unfolds, the Cubs appear to have a promising duo quietly developing behind the dish.