The Chicago Cubs have certainly not had the season they envisioned so far in 2024, but one of the brighter spots on the team is the emergence of left-handed hitter Michael Busch. The 26-year-old rookie has been the best position player on the Cubs and during the past month Busch is showing that he’s deserving of an All-Star honor.
Busch extended his MLB-best streak of reaching base in 26 consecutive starts Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels by crushing a two-run homer, which secured a 5-0 Cubs win at Wrigley Field. The first baseman is now slashing .264/.359/.457, with 11 home runs this season.
Marquee Sports Network compared Busch’s numbers to the rest of the National League and there’s one clear conclusion: Michael Busch has been a top-20 hitter in the NL so far in 2024.
If you narrow down the numbers to only MLB first basemen, then you’ll find that Busch is currently a top-5 player at his position.
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Following Sunday’s two-run home run against lefty reliever Matt Moore, Busch is up to a 132 wRC+. That puts Busch in the upper echelon of first basemen in the league and ahead of other star players like Pete Alonso and Matt Olson.
MLB 1B wRC+ Leaders
Bryce Harper: 169
Freddie Freeman: 157
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: 139
Christian Walker: 136
Michael Busch: 132
The tough part that faces Busch’s chances of receiving All-Star Game honors is that the National League is loaded at first base. Out of the top-5 wRC+ leaders at the position, four are in the NL, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is in the American League with the Toronto Blue Jays.
As a reminder, each All-Star squad is made up of 32 players: 20 position players and 12 pitchers.
So, you know, top-20 hitter in the league, yeah Michael Busch is very much deserving of a reserve spot on the NL All-Star team if all things are equal.
