CHICAGO (670 The Score) — As he prepared to make his home debut Monday afternoon at Wrigley Field, Cubs rookie first baseman Michael Busch expressed gratitude for his new opportunity in Chicago.
The Cubs acquired the 26-year-old Busch from the Dodgers in a trade in January, a deal that Busch was happy to see transpire as his path to playing time in Los Angeles was blocked by seven-time All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman. A first-round pick in 2019 and consensus top-100 prospect, Busch now has the chance to regularly play for the Cubs.
It’s why he has embraced his move to Chicago.
“Opportunity for playing time, that's all you can really ask for,” Busch said Monday morning before the Cubs hosted the Rockies in their home opener.
Busch started the Cubs' first three games at first base as they lost two of three games to the Rangers over the weekend, and he’s slated to hit sixth in the order Monday.
The Cubs have been searching for a long-term solution at first base since they traded Anthony Rizzo to the Yankees in July 2021. Veteran Eric Hosmer started on Opening Day in 2023 but was designated for assignment by mid-May, while rookie Matt Mervis struggled in his first opportunity in the big leagues. The Cubs started seven different players at first base in 2023 and six there in 2022.
Busch hit .167 with a .539 OPS in 27 games for the Dodgers in 2023 and was 1-for-9 in Chicago's series in Texas to open this season. While he's off to a slow start in a tiny sample size, the Cubs will be patient as Busch steps into a considerable role.
“Michael is just a consistent player and a consistent person, and that’s going to benefit him really well in a season where he’s on a roller coaster ride,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “And that’s what baseball seasons do to you. They kind of put you on this ride. But I think Michael’s personality and just his game, period, is going to be able to even some of those challenges out. As you do that and you go through the ups and the downs, it builds your confidence. And that will help him.”
Cubs star Cody Bellinger, who was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2017, has offered similar advice to Busch as he settles into his first full season in the big leagues.
“The biggest thing is he’s very comfortable, and I mean that in the best way possible,” Bellinger said. “He understands what he needs to do every day. My advice is just go out and play his game and help the team win.”
On Monday, Busch was eager to step onto Wrigley Field for the first time as the Cubs’ new first baseman, as he took in the atmosphere of the fabled ballpark and looked to make himself at home in Chicago.
More than that, Busch is hopeful to make a lasting first impression of what he'll be for the Cubs.
“Someone who’s always playing hard and loves to win,” Busch said. “Baseball can be a selfish game – at the plate, whether you’re a pitcher, hitter, you’re kind of doing everything yourself in a sense, but at the same time there are a lot of little things that go on in the background. It is a team game, and everybody is out there trying to win, no matter what it takes.
“That’s kind of what I bring.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 .
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