Michael Busch

Busch took a massive step forward, totaling 34 home runs and 90 RBI to go along with an .866 OPS during the 2025 regular season, finishing as a top 10 first baseman in standard scoring. He wasn't done there, however, adding four more long balls in eight postseason games for the Cubs. At 27 years old, Busch shaved five percentage points off his strikeout rate while ranking in the 90th percentile or above in barrel rate, average exit velocity and xSLG, per Statcast. The Dodgers have done just fine since trading Busch to Chicago in January of 2024, but Busch has distinguished himself as more than a spare part in his current organization. Despite middling defensive grades and sizable platoon splits, Busch is expected to remain a near-everyday starter in 2026, sitting against some lefties. Read Past Outlooks