Los Angeles Dodgers prospects Michael Busch and Andre Jackson, both of whom are with Double-A Tulsa, enjoyed some success in the 2021 All-Star Futures Game, which ended in an 8-3 win for the National League team.
Jackson inherited a baserunner in the second inning and retired four of five batters faced. The lone batter to reach during that stretch was Detroit Tigers prospect Riley Green on a two-out base hit in the second inning.
While Jackson appeared out of the bullpen for the NL team at Coors Field, he’s made 11 starts for the Drillers this season, going 2-2 with a 3.78 ERA, 63 strikeouts and 15 walks over 50 innings pitched.
Busch entered as a defensive replacement at second base in the fifth inning, recorded the first out on a ball hit to his left and finished the game (seven innings). Busch only logged one plate appearance but made it a successful one with a base hit that went off Jeter Downs’ glove.
Downs of course was a former Dodgers prospect who now is with the Boston Red Sox after being included in a trade to acquire Mookie Betts and David Price in February 2010.
Busch is batting .223/.373/.415 with nine doubles, nine home runs and 20 RBI in 51 games for the Drillers. He was among the non-roster invitees to Spring Training this year and garnered praise from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
“I like him,” Roberts said of Busch after a Cactus League game. “I like the baseball player. People talk about the bat, but I like the overall baseball player. Continuing to get reps at second base, he’s got a good head, good makeup, comes from a great program, plays the game the right way.
“Very high baseball acumen. He checks every box. It’s just now going out there and continuing to take professional at-bats, play second base and continue to get comfortable over there. He’s coming.”
Futures Game MVP
The NL Futures team slugged five home runs, led by a pair from Chicago Cubs prospect Brennen Davis, who was named 2021 Futures Game MVP.
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