Michael Busch Bio
Michael James Busch is an American professional baseball infielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the organization that originally selected him in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Before reaching the majors, he played college baseball for the North Carolina Tar Heels and built a strong reputation as one of the top hitting prospects in the minors. He is widely regarded for his power at the plate and his defensive versatility across the infield.
Early Life and Background
Michael James Busch was born on November 9, 1997, and grew up in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. He attended Simley High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete, playing football, hockey, and baseball during his high school years. His performances on the baseball field drew national scouting attention, and Perfect Game ranked him as the fourth-best player in the state of Minnesota. During his senior season, his strong play earned him All-State honors.
Despite his high school success, Busch went undrafted in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. Encouraged by his amateur résumé, he chose to continue his baseball career at the University of North Carolina, where he joined the North Carolina Tar Heels college baseball program. His path reflected patience and steady development, traits that would later shape his professional profile.
Path to Baseball
At North Carolina, Busch quickly established himself as a reliable middle-of-the-order bat. As a freshman in 2017, he appeared in 55 games, hitting .215 with three home runs and 22 runs batted in, and that summer he gained valuable experience with the St. Cloud Rox of the Northwoods League. His sophomore season in 2018 marked a major step forward, as he started all 64 games for the Tar Heels, batting .317 with 13 home runs and 63 runs batted in, while earning All-ACC Second Team honors. He was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the Chapel Hill Regional after batting .636 in the NCAA tournament, helping North Carolina reach the 2018 College World Series. He later starred for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, batting .322 with six home runs in 27 games and earning All-Cape League recognition.
Entering 2019, Busch was named a preseason All-American by multiple outlets, including Perfect Game and Baseball America. Over 65 games in his junior season, he hit .284 with 16 home runs and 57 runs batted in, cementing his status as a top prospect. Considered one of the best college hitters available, he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the 31st overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and signed for a $2.31 million bonus.
Michael Busch Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Busch began his professional career in 2019 in the Dodgers farm system, splitting time between the Arizona League Dodgers and the Great Lakes Loons. After the season he joined the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League for a short developmental stint. He did not play a minor league game in 2020 after the cancellation of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he returned healthy in 2021 with the Tulsa Drillers. With Tulsa, he appeared in 107 games, hitting .267 with 20 home runs and 67 runs batted in, and was selected to the All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field. He was also recognized as a post-season Double-A Central All-Star.
He returned to Tulsa to open 2022, batting .306 with 11 home runs and 29 runs batted in over 31 games before being promoted to the Oklahoma City Dodgers. At the Triple-A level, he hit .266 with 21 home runs and 79 runs batted in across 111 games, continuing to play primarily second base. On November 15, 2022, the Dodgers added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, signaling their long-term plans for him.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2023)
Busch began the 2023 season back at Oklahoma City and was called up to the majors for the first time on April 25. He made his MLB debut as the designated hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 27 games for the Dodgers that year, he hit .167 with two home runs and seven runs batted in, splitting his time between third base, first base, second base, and designated hitter. His first major league hit was a single off Johan Oviedo of the Pirates, and his first MLB home run came on August 24 off Gavin Williams of the Cleveland Guardians.
Even with his brief MLB stint, his Triple-A performance in 2023 was outstanding. He hit .323 with 27 home runs and 90 runs batted in across 98 games for Oklahoma City, helping the club win the Pacific Coast League championship. He was recognized as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Minor League Player of the Year and was honored as both the Most Valuable Player and the Top Prospect of the Pacific Coast League.
Chicago Cubs Era (2024–Present)
On January 11, 2024, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Michael Busch and Yency Almonte to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope. The move gave Busch a fresh start and an opportunity to play every day. From April 10 to 15, 2024, he homered in five straight games, tying the longest such streak by a Cub. He spent most of the season at first base and finished with 21 home runs and 65 runs batted in, while slashing .248/.335/.440.
His 2025 season was a true breakout. He finished third in Phase 1 of fan voting for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, and on July 4, he became the first Cubs first baseman since Ernie Banks to hit three home runs in a single game. At the All-Star break he was slashing .290/.375/.550 with 19 home runs, three triples, 15 doubles, 45 runs scored, and 59 runs batted in, while his .925 OPS ranked fifth in all of Major League Baseball. He ended the 2025 MLB regular season with career highs of 34 home runs and 90 runs batted in, slashing .261/.343/.523.
Driving Style and Strengths
Busch is best known for his right-handed power and his patient approach at the plate, which allow him to work counts and punish mistakes. He has shown defensive versatility, with experience at first base, second base, and third base, and his ability to play multiple positions has helped him stay in the Cubs’ everyday lineup. His blend of on-base skills and extra-base power has made him a middle-of-the-order threat.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, his five-game home run streak in April 2024 tied a franchise record for the Cubs, and his three-homer game on July 4, 2025 placed him in elite company alongside Hall of Famer Ernie Banks. His 2025 All-Star selection reflected his emergence as one of the most productive first basemen in the National League.
Michael Busch Career Highlights
Michael Busch’s career highlights include a first-round selection in the 2019 MLB Draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Minor League Player of the Year award, and a Pacific Coast League championship in 2023. He is also a 2025 MLB All-Star and the 2025 recipient of a three-homer game that no Cubs first baseman had matched since Ernie Banks.
Major League Highlights
Busch’s major league career began in 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played in 27 games. He joined the Chicago Cubs in 2024, finishing that season with 21 home runs and 65 runs batted in. In 2025, he set career highs with 34 home runs and 90 runs batted in while posting an .866 OPS, establishing himself as a core player for the franchise.
Minor League and Amateur Accolades
Before reaching the majors, Busch earned recognition at nearly every level. He was a 2021 Double-A Central post-season All-Star with the Tulsa Drillers, the 2023 Pacific Coast League MVP and Top Prospect, and a 2018 NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player during his time with the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Michael Busch Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Michael James Busch was raised in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, where he attended Simley High School alongside his classmates and teammates. He comes from a Minnesota sports family environment shaped by football, hockey, and baseball, and he has continued to share updates from his career through his Instagram account.
Personal Life
Busch keeps most of his personal life private and focuses public attention on his baseball career. He is widely known by the nickname associated with his social media handle, and his family remains supportive of his journey from Minnesota high school baseball to a starting role with the Chicago Cubs.
2025 Season Performance
Michael Busch’s 2025 campaign represented his first full All-Star caliber season in Major League Baseball. He opened the year as the Chicago Cubs’ everyday first baseman and quickly became one of the most productive hitters in the National League. By the All-Star break he had 19 home runs, 59 runs batted in, and an .OPS of .925, ranking fifth in all of MLB at the time.
His midseason surge was punctuated by a three-homer game on July 4 that made him the first Cubs first baseman since Ernie Banks to achieve the feat, and his strong fan support carried him to a third-place finish in Phase 1 All-Star voting. He finished the regular season with career highs across the major offensive categories, including 34 home runs and 90 runs batted in, providing a middle-of-the-order anchor for the Cubs.
Looking ahead, Busch’s emergence as a power-hitting first baseman positions him as a building block for the Chicago Cubs’ long-term core. With his combination of plate discipline, extra-base pop, and positional flexibility, he is expected to remain a central figure in the franchise’s plans and a potential cornerstone as the team continues to compete in the National League.
