A Promising Shortstop Joins the Cubs' Development System
Michael Hallquist, a Ball State University alumnus and 2024 Mid‑American Conference Defensive Player of the Year, has agreed to a minor‑league contract with the Chicago Cubs. The deal sends the standout shortstop to the South Bend Cubs, the High‑A affiliate where he will begin his professional journey.
Hallquist arrived at the professional level after a decorated college career that included first‑team All‑MAC honors and a finalist nod for the 2024 Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nation’s top collegiate shortstop. His defensive prowess and consistent bat earned him those distinctions and caught the attention of Cubs scouts.
In 2026 he played for the Milwaukee Milkmen, posting a .312/.399/.605 slash line across 184 plate appearances. The stat line featured 13 doubles, 11 homers, 27 RBI, 35 runs scored and 15 stolen bases, underscoring a blend of contact and power.
Before that, Hallquist spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Fargo‑Moorhead RedHawks, where he compiled a career slash line of .285/.361/.498 over 134 games, racking up 35 doubles, eight triples, 18 homers, 63 RBI and 40 steals.
Ball State head coach Rich Maloney praised Hallquist’s skill set and ceiling, saying the organization is excited to see him develop under the Cubs’ system. “His work ethic and baseball IQ are exactly what we look for in a prospect,” Maloney remarked.
Across his collegiate tenure, Hallquist posted a .285/.361/.498 line with 35 doubles, eight triples, 18 homers, 63 RBI, 91 runs scored and 40 steals in 134 games. His 21 homers in a single season rank tied for second in Ball State history, and his 163 total bases sit third on the school’s all‑time list.
Hallquist joins a growing cadre of Ball State alumni in affiliated baseball; currently 13 former Cardinals are playing in professional leagues, and six have already appeared in Major League games this season, highlighting the program’s pipeline to the big leagues.
Looking Ahead
As he steps onto the field in South Bend, Hallquist will aim to translate his collegiate success into professional production, with the ultimate goal of earning a call‑up to the parent club. The Cubs’ development staff will monitor his adjustment to wood‑bat competition and his ability to handle top‑level pitching.