The Los Angeles Dodgers boast an incredible developmental system for their Minor League talent and are consistently ranked amongst the best organizations in baseball in terms of prospects.
This season figures to be no different as the Dodgers continue to supplement their wealth of young talent despite graduating many of their top prospects in recent years. With the likes of Gavin Lux, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin already key members of the organization, the Dodgers have a bright future with new faces.
Michael Busch is one of the biggest names in the farm system, and he’s someone who has demonstrated an excellent combination of plate discipline, power, and defensive versatility.
Dodgers director of player development Will Rhymes recently noted Busch’s improvement included becoming more comfortable at second base, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“He’s always been a great hitter,” Rhymes said of Busch, who batted .267 with 20 home runs in double-A last year. “Defensively, he just looks more and more comfortable. You would think he’s played second base his whole life.”
Busch, now 24 years old, was the Dodgers’ first-round selection in the 2019 MLB Draft. Busch’s time as a professional has been limited, though, with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic robbing him of a Minor League season in 2020.
Nevertheless, Busch already shows a mature approach at the plate. He figures to be seen with the Dodgers at some point given his outstanding performance with Double-A Tulsa in 2021.
In just 107 games, he belted 20 home runs with a 134 wRC+. While his strikeout rate was high at 26.1%, Busch’s ability to take a walk mitigated those as he held a 14.1% walk rate. Most prospects at any age are incapable of the plate discipline Busch exhibits.
Busch primarily played first base in college, but the Dodgers view him as a full-time second baseman going forward. The comparison to Max Muncy is an easy one to envision, and Busch certainly possesses that sort of upside.
Michael Busch believes added versatility could help Dodgers long-term
Busch possesses the ability to play both positions on the right side of the infield at a high level and with the Dodgers consistently emphasizing versatility, that bodes well for the 24-year-old.
While the defensive versatility can help Busch reach the Majors quicker, it could also help the Dodgers in a big way in the future.
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