Moisés Ballesteros steps into the batter's box with a simple, powerful mantra: "No one's better than you." And so far this season, the Chicago Cubs' 22-year-old designated hitter is proving it.

The young slugger has been on an absolute tear, helping the Cubs surge to the top of the National League Central. Through the first month, Ballesteros is slashing an impressive .317/.380/.598 with six home runs, 18 RBIs, and a staggering 180 OPS+. But what's truly turning heads isn't just the power—it's the fearlessness.

Ballesteros attacks from the very first pitch. He's tied for the most first-pitch hits in the majors (12), and his 11 RBIs on the first pitch rank second in all of baseball. His .600 average on those opening pitches is the fourth-highest in MLB. The defining moment? A grand slam off Padres starter Randy Vásquez on April 27 that left no doubt about his approach.

"He's just incredibly confident when he steps in that box," Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly told reporters. "He doesn't need to get into the flow of the at-bat—he is ready as soon as he steps in. Most pitchers want to get ahead early, but he's able to handle pitches in the zone and even go out of the zone a little bit."

What makes Ballesteros so dangerous? It's his ability to punish any pitch type. His 12 first-pitch hits have come off six different offerings: curveballs, cutters, sliders, four-seam fastballs, sinkers, and changeups. He doesn't just wait for his pitch—he makes any pitch his pitch.

For Ballesteros, it's about putting himself in the best position to succeed, whether that means fouling off tough pitches or jumping on the first one he sees. "I always say to myself, nobody's better than you," he said. And with that mindset, he's quickly becoming one of the most exciting young hitters in the game.