Can Michael Busch Reclaim His Breakout Magic for the Cubs?
What counts as a successful season for a baseball player is never always clear.
For young players, it’s improving their craft in whatever weaknesses they and their organization identify.
For guys like Michael Busch, it means meeting expectations set in prior years.
In this case, it has been a somewhat disappointing season for the first baseman but by no means a terrible one.
2025 Breakout Power
2025 was the first glimpse at what the Cubs were trying to do. For several years, the Cubs were, for better or worse, treading water. They had a decent floor but no real high ceiling (and they still struggle with that), and because of that, along with bullpen issues, the Cubs missed the postseason in both 2023 and 2024. Then 2025 came and boy were there a lot of really good.
Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) had a breakout 1st half that saw just how well the guy could play when locked in. Nico Hoerner hit for an average near .300 and had gold-glove defense at second. Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ did their share, too. Kyle Tucker, like PCA, was really locked in for that first half of the season before injuries derailed it. However, Michael Busch also had a quiet but very respectable season for the North Siders.
Busch slugged 34 home runs and drove in 90 runs, and that alone put him firmly in the top 10 for first-base WAR (Wins Above Replacement). Cubs fans had long seen a capable, consistent first baseman in Anthony Rizzo produce at a level that became a fixture for many fans. Many, including Jed Hoyer, hoped Busch was taking that step toward becoming that consistent offensive piece at the corner. However, this season has been anything but.
2026 Struggles
Not only has Busch seen his production dip, but it isn’t talked about nearly enough, I feel cause of the other pieces that have stepped up. Notably, of course, is PCA, but Alex Bregman has come along very nicely. Busch, however, hasn’t.
His home run totals have dropped to half as many. Sitting at 18, his ability to drive in runs has also dropped. His play at first base has remained steady, so that’s normal, but everything else has declined compared to 2025.
Cubs really need Busch to find his groove.
It won’t help their biggest issue, which is pitching, but if he wants a nice contract extension, he needs to find a way to produce at the high level he did in 2025.
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Categorized:Cubs