Michael Busch
27-Year-Old
2024 Stats
AVG
.248
HR
21
RBI
65
R
73
SB
2
2025 Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Busch joined the Cubs prior to the 2024 season after never really getting a shot at regular playing time with the Dodgers, and he quickly took advantage of the opportunity in the new locale. The 26-year-old settled in as the primary first baseman for Chicago and appeared in 152 games. Busch ended up recording 21 home runs, 65 RBI and a .775 OPS during his extended run, and he figures to head into 2025 as the team's top option at first once again. There are some limitations to his game from a fantasy perspective, as he doesn't really have a ton of positional versatility. The left-hand hitting Busch has also shown some vulnerability to southpaws during his career, so the Cubs not surprisingly limited his exposure to lefties last year. That caps Busch's upside heading into 2025, but as long as he plays most days against righties, Busch should be able to build on his promising 2024 campaign. Read Past Outlooks
Not an option at third base
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer indicated Tuesday that Busch is not under consideration to play third base and will instead remain focused on first base, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
The Cubs have an opening at the hot corner following the trade of Isaac Paredes and Busch has some experience at third base. However, the team views Busch as a potential Gold Glove-caliber first baseman and wants him to remain there. Top prospect Matt Shaw looks to be the current favorite to start at third base.
The Cubs have an opening at the hot corner following the trade of Isaac Paredes and Busch has some experience at third base. However, the team views Busch as a potential Gold Glove-caliber first baseman and wants him to remain there. Top prospect Matt Shaw looks to be the current favorite to start at third base.
Batting Stats
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2024
2023
Minor League Game Log
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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
57
7
20
24
13
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
1
2
6
2
2
1
Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2022
+12%
OPS vs RHP
2024
+11%
OPS vs RHP
OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2022vs Left | .678 | 115 | 1 | 8 | .250 | ||||
Since 2022vs Right | .760 | 533 | 22 | 64 | .235 | ||||
2024vs Left | .712 | 100 | 1 | 8 | .258 | ||||
2024vs Right | .788 | 467 | 20 | 57 | .246 | ||||
2023vs Left | .467 | 15 | 0 | 0 | .200 | ||||
2023vs Right | .556 | 66 | 2 | 7 | .158 | ||||
2022vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2022vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2022
+15%
OPS on Road
2024
+25%
OPS on Road
OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2022Home | .691 | 303 | 9 | 27 | .214 | ||||
Since 2022Away | .792 | 345 | 14 | 45 | .258 | ||||
2024Home | .683 | 264 | 8 | 25 | .211 | ||||
2024Away | .855 | 303 | 13 | 40 | .280 | ||||
2023Home | .745 | 39 | 1 | 2 | .235 | ||||
2023Away | .351 | 42 | 1 | 5 | .105 | ||||
2022Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2022Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Stat Review
How does Michael Busch compare to other hitters?
This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
BB/K
0.39BB Rate
11.1%K Rate
28.6%BABIP
.322ISO
.192AVG
.248OBP
.335SLG
.440OPS
.775wOBA
.340Exit Velocity
89.9 mphHard Hit Rate
30.8%Barrels/PA
6.7%Expected BA
.217Expected SLG
.418Sprint Speed
23.8 ft/secGround Ball %
39.2%Line Drive %
20.5%Fly Ball %
40.4%Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Michael Busch See More
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Erik Halterman kicks off an early offseason review and preview by breaking down each position by tier, starting with first base, where Vladimir Guerrero shined in an otherwise underwhelming group.
James Anderson ranks the top 300 players for 2025 fantasy baseball leagues, in which Brewers' phenom Jackson Chourio is pushing towards the first round!
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Busch fits best defensively at designated hitter, but it's still to be determined whether his bat will produce enough value in the majors to be worth playing at the bottom of the defensive spectrum. With the addition of automated balls and strikes, the Pacific Coast League was even more of a hitter's paradise than in the past, and Busch took full advantage, slashing .323/.431/.618 with 27 home runs, an 18.8 K% and a 13.9 BB% in 98 games. In addition to the cartoonish hitting environment he played in, Busch was 25 years old, so there would be no excuse for him not to mash Triple-A pitching. Even in that juiced environment, Busch only managed a .795 OPS with two home runs in 167 plate appearances against lefties, so he may be platooned if he doesn't become passable somewhere defensively. He only got 81 plate appearances in the majors, struggling to an unlucky .167 average with 27 strikeouts, eight walks and two home runs. He is eligible at third base in 2024 but may not have anywhere to play for the Dodgers in the short term. There are some Quad-A hitter red flags, and Busch may need a trade to get a chance to show he belongs.
More Fantasy News
Walks four times
Busch went 0-for-1 with four walks during Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Reds in 10 innings.
ANALYSIS
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Back in action Friday
Busch (triceps) will start at designated hitter and bat fifth in Friday's contest against the Reds.
ANALYSIS
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Remaining out Wednesday
Busch (triceps) isn't in the Cubs' lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Phillies.
ANALYSIS
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Exits after HBP
Busch was removed from Tuesday's game against the Phillies after getting hit in the arm by a pitch, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
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Ends slump with homer
Busch went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Sundays' 5-0 win over the Nationals.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Could have regular role
Manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers will attempt to get Busch regular at-bats after the infielder was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, reports Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.
ANALYSIS
The 25-year-old had a .561 OPS in his first 15 big-league games before being sent back to Oklahoma City in late June, but he's back with the Dodgers after J.D. Martinez landed on the injured list with a groin issue. Busch has 24 home runs and a 1.047 OPS in 88 games at Triple-A this season, and he also had a 39-game on-base streak during his most recent stint with the affiliate. Busch went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts Tuesday against the Guardians, and he may need to settle in quick at the plate to have a chance of retaining his roster spot once Martinez is healthy.
The 25-year-old had a .561 OPS in his first 15 big-league games before being sent back to Oklahoma City in late June, but he's back with the Dodgers after J.D. Martinez landed on the injured list with a groin issue. Busch has 24 home runs and a 1.047 OPS in 88 games at Triple-A this season, and he also had a 39-game on-base streak during his most recent stint with the affiliate. Busch went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts Tuesday against the Guardians, and he may need to settle in quick at the plate to have a chance of retaining his roster spot once Martinez is healthy.