After a frigid start, Chicago’s slugging first baseman has silenced critics by transforming into the Cubs' premier run producer and most reliable threat in high-leverage situations.
There was some concern about Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch’s early-season struggles.
Busch was slashing just .164/.262/.192 with two doubles, three RBI, and 17 strikeouts in his first 20 games. Those numbers were unlike the lefty slugger, considering he just put together a breakout campaign in 2025.
Busch had a strong all-around offensive season last year. He batted .261 with a career-high 34 home runs, 25 doubles, five triples, 90 RBI, and four stolen bases across 155 games in his second full season in the big leagues.
So, seeing how poorly the 28-year-old was hitting to start the season took some fans by surprise.
But the Cubs first baseman continues to drag himself out of that early-season hole and is steadily increasing his overall numbers. Since April 20, he is batting .283 with seven home runs, 10 doubles, two triples, 34 RBI, and one stolen base.
While the home run numbers could be better for Busch, he has provided solid production at the top of the Cubs’ lineup for the last seven weeks. His batting average now sits at .247 on the season, and his 37 RBI currently lead the team.
Busch also continues to be one of Chicago’s most clutch hitters at the plate.
He is batting .309 (21-for-68) with one home run, one double, two triples, and 27 RBI with runners in scoring position, has 12 RBI with two outs and runners in scoring position, and has a .273 batting average (15-for-55) with two home runs and 21 RBI in high-leverage spots this season.
For context, Ian Happ is batting .205 with 23 RBI with runners in scoring position. Seiya Suzuki has a .136 batting average with nine RBI and 22 strikeouts with runners in scoring position, and Dansby Swanson is hitting .119 with 12 RBI and 14 strikeouts in high-leverage situations.
That just shows how good Busch has been in the clutch this year. He’s hitting with runners in scoring position and continues to come through in key spots.
That was certainly on display in last Saturday’s dramatic win over the San Francisco Giants. The lefty stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning with a runner on second base and nobody out. He then pulled a slider on the outside part of the plate for a single to right field to win the game.
Busch deserves a ton of credit for the way he has bounced back at the plate following a slow start. He has arguably been the Cubs’ best hitter over the past month and has been really good in the No. 3 hole since being moved there a few weeks ago.
If he hadn’t gotten off to that poor start, Busch could have potentially earned his first All-Star appearance this year.
