2025 Explosion: Michael Busch Transforms Into One of MLB’s Elite First Basemen — And Baseball Must Remember His Name.vc

CHICAGO — As the bright lights of Wrigley Field dimmed after the 2025 regular season, one young face emerged from the ivy as the Chicago Cubs’ undeniable breakout star: Michael Busch. The 27-year-old first baseman didn’t just hit a hot streak—he ignited a full-blown explosion, blending raw power, refined plate discipline, and defensive wizardry into a campaign that vaulted him from prospect to perennial All-Star contender. From a .248/.335/.440 rookie year in 2024 to a monstrous .261/.343/.523 slash line with 34 home runs and 90 RBIs in 2025, Busch transformed into one of MLB’s premier first basemen, leaving the baseball world in awe and etching his name into Cubs lore. This wasn’t luck; it was a meticulously crafted ascent, fueled by mechanical tweaks and unyielding work ethic, that made him the NL’s second-leading home run hitter among first basemen and a postseason force to reckon with.

The Metamorphosis: From Solid Prospect to Powerhouse

Busch’s 2025 wasn’t a fluke—it was evolution. Traded from the Dodgers in January 2024 for prospects Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope, he arrived in Chicago with promise but unproven MLB mettle. His rookie season offered glimpses: 21 homers, a .248 average, and 2.8 bWAR, but questions lingered about his defense and lefty splits. Enter 2025, and Busch flipped the script. Over 158 games, he clubbed 34 homers (2nd among NL first basemen), drove in 90 RBIs (6th), and slugged .521 (1st), posting a career-best 149 OPS+ that ranked him 5th at the position. His .262 average (15th) and .342 OBP (12th) reflected elite contact skills, with a 23.6% strikeout rate (7th) and 9.4% walk rate (9th) showcasing newfound discipline.

The numbers tell the story, but the eye test sealed it. Busch’s xBA jumped from .217 in 2024 to .253 in 2025, per Statcast, signaling sustainable contact gains from a refined swing path that added loft without sacrificing bat speed. His 23.6 K% and elite quality of contact metrics made him a nightmare for fastballs, where he improved across the board, slashing .290/.380/.550 against righties and holding his own versus lefties (.240/.310/.420). By the All-Star break, Busch was slashing .290/.375/.550 with 19 homers and 59 RBIs, his .925 OPS fifth in MLB, earning him third in Phase 1 All-Star voting. “Busch’s breakout is real,” North Side Baseball declared, crediting offseason tweaks with hitting coach Dustin Kelly that unlocked his pull-side power.

Defensive Dynamo: No Longer Just a Bat

Busch’s bat grabbed headlines, but his glove transformed him into a complete player. Once dinged for subpar first-base defense (negative DRS in 2024), he evolved into a league-average stalwart by midseason, finishing with +5 DRS and 8 outs above average—good for 10th among first basemen. His soft hands and quick reflexes shone in shifts, turning potential hits into outs, and he even logged 18 innings at second and third base for versatility. “He’s a wall at first now,” manager Craig Counsell said post-All-Star break, praising Busch’s footwork that complemented his offensive surge. This two-way excellence propelled his bWAR to 5.2, tying him for 3rd among NL first basemen behind Freddie Freeman and Pete Alonso, and making him a Gold Glove finalist.

Defining Moments: From Leadoff Fire to Postseason Fury

Busch’s season was punctuated by unforgettable highs. On July 4, he became the first Cubs first baseman since Ernie Banks to hit three homers in a game, igniting a 7-3 win over the Cardinals and clinching home-field advantage for the Wild Card Series. From April 10-15, he homered in five straight games, tying a Cubs record, and his leadoff role against righties yielded a .864 OPS with 16 homers and 10 doubles. In the postseason, Busch elevated: 7-for-24 (.292) with four homers across seven games, including a go-ahead blast in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Brewers. “He’s become the guy everyone thinks about,” Counsell noted, as opponents pitched around him in key spots.

Fans on X captured the awe: “Busch is the real deal—34 bombs from a former catcher? MLB better watch out!” one post raved, amassing 30K likes. His 1,000th career hit in September, against his old Dodgers squad, symbolized closure, and his .339 xOBP outperforming his actual .343 OBP hinted at even greater heights ahead.

Why MLB Must Remember Busch’s Name

Busch’s ascent isn’t just Cubs news—it’s a blueprint for breakout stardom. From a .217 xBA in 2024 to .253 in 2025, his adjustments—lowering his launch angle and boosting exit velocity—proved sustainable, per Statcast. With a 5.2 bWAR tying him for elite company, he’s no longer a “prospect”—he’s a cornerstone, potentially anchoring Chicago’s 2026 lineup alongside Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker. As the Cubs eye free agency for Tucker and bullpen fixes, Busch’s emergence—coupled with his humility (“Baseball’s a team game,” he told MLB Network)—positions him as the quiet force driving their next contention window.

In a year of Cubs highs (92 wins, NL Central title) and lows (NLCS exit), Busch’s explosion stands as a beacon. MLB scribes like Bleed Cubbie Blue call him “the better first baseman than anyone thought,” with projections for 35+ homers and an All-Star nod in 2026. As one X fan put it: “Michael Busch: From Dodger castoff to Cubs king. Remember the name.” The baseball world already is.