Michael Busch entered the 2023 season as one of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top prospects and dominated at Triple-A, but that still wasn’t enough to find him an everyday opportunity on the MLB roster.
Busch made his MLB debut on April 25, 2023, against the Pittsburgh Pirates after he was recalled from Oklahoma City, and he recorded his first hit, RBI and drew a walk.
He was optioned back to Triple-A after going 4-for-19 in his first taste of the Big Leagues.
Busch was recalled to the Dodgers two more times in 2023, but he never received consistent at-bats and struggled with the club. He batted .167/.247/.292 with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBI in 27 games overall during the season.
However, in Triple-A, Busch was showing off his offensive talent and was named the Pacific Coast League MVP after hitting .323/.431/.618 with 26 doubles, four triples, 27 home runs and 90 RBI in 469 plate appearances over 98 games with Oklahoma City.
The 26-year-old led the PCL among qualified hitters in slugging percentage and on-base plus slugging (1.049); and ranked second in batting average; third in on-base percentage; fourth in home runs; and fifth in RBI, extra-base hits (57) and total bases (241).
Busch also went 5-for-13 with two home runs in three postseason games and helped Oklahoma City win its first PCL title since 1996.
Despite his offensive ability, questions have remained about Busch’s defense and which position he should play. Although he has played first base, second base, third base and left field, his best position is likely designated hitter or first base.
That limited defense is likely what kept the Dodgers from giving him an everyday chance to play for them, and what led to his eventual trade to the Chicago Cubs this offseason.
Michael Busch 2023 highlight
Busch hit his first MLB home run on August 24, 2023 against the Cleveland Guardians. He finished the game going 1-for-4 with two RBI.
He also went 2-for-3 with a double against the San Francisco Giants on June 17, 2023.
2024 outlook
Now with the Cubs, Busch is likely to get a chance to play every day at first base. Projection systems and scouts are both high on his offensive ability, so it would not be surprising to see him have a breakout season.
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