How Michael Busch’s Bat Is Silencing Critics and Leading Cubs
It has been a season of ups and downs for the Chicago Cubs, not just the team itself but the players’ performances as well. One player who has seen plenty of success and struggles throughout the 2024 campaign has been Michael Busch. Despite struggling throughout May, Michael Busch has been one of the most positive offensive pieces for the Chicago Cubs.
As we speak, Busch is currently on a 9-game on-base streak as well as a 7-game hitting streak. The red-hot Busch has been a staple in the middle of the Cubs lineup during a time when they have been struggling.
Since May 27, the rookie first baseman is slashing .333/.458/.462. On top of that, Busch’s overall season numbers still have been extremely solid, with him slashing .260/.353/.456.
Busch had high expectations coming into this season, with him being the only bat the Cubs acquired in the winter. Expectations became even higher for Busch when he hit the ground running and had a home run streak of 5 straight games. He started off the season as one of the best rookies in major league baseball, and when he digressed quickly, fans seemed to become impatient with him. But in all reality, he has been one of the most consistent players across this Cubs lineup.
When looking across first basemen in Major League Baseball, Busch has been one of the most valuable. He currently ranks fifth among first basemen in WAR with a 1.7. Seems pretty good for a guy who was written off after a two-week cold streak.
On top of that, Busch currently is one of the leaders among major league first basemen in another eye-popping stat. Busch currently trails only Bryce Harper and Freddie Freeman in wRC+ on the season. Busch’s wRC+ currently stands at 134, and he is ahead of all-star names like Pete Alonso and Christian Walker.
As mentioned earlier, expectations couldn’t have been higher for the former top prospect in the Dodgers system. When the Cubs acquired him, it seemed like they were acquiring the first baseman of the future. The Cubs have not had a true starting first baseman since Anthony Rizzo, who was also a farmhand of another team before being acquired by the Cubs.
Despite seemingly being written off by Cubs fans early in the season, Michael Busch has seemingly defied the odds. He has managed to look like the Cub’s best hitter and one of the best hitters amongst first basemen in Major League Baseball. Expectations will always be high for Busch, considering how he was once a top prospect, but it seems like he is being able to achieve those throughout his rookie season.