The 2025 season may have ended with a shock exit from the Cubs in the Playoffs, but for Michael Busch, it was just a turning point — where he turned pressure into a spectacular leap. While many were still wondering about his potential, Busch proved: “I’m not just stuck at first base — I want to dominate it.”
On the offensive front, Busch made the numbers quiet. His slugging percentage was .523 (2nd in MLB), his OPS was .866 (3rd), and his 34 homers were some of the best in the league. And when it came to “touch and go,” he led the way with 5 triples—transforming himself from a “power bat” to an “all-around bat.”
Defense? Not a tradeoff—but where Busch took his value to the next level. With a .996 fielding percentage, just 4 errors all season, and a top scorer in double plays, he finished the season as a “wall” at first base.
And when it came to the Playoffs—where every mistake was exposed—Busch didn’t back down. Slugging at .741 and hitting an OPS of 1.128, he hit four homers, led the team in big hits, and played a key role in the Cubs’ “carry-the-team” lineup.
Now, with the season over, Busch is no longer a “prospect” — he’s a symbol. The Cubs and their fans now look to the future with different eyes: a young, hungry team — and alongside them, Busch, who “chose” the first base position as the starting point for a new era.
So the question is: Can Busch keep this up? Given his track record — from his homers to his quiet, effective defense — the answer may very well be “yes.” And if he continues to improve, opponents will face a much bigger challenge: not just snuffing out a star — but snuffing out the leader of a young Cubs team on the rise.
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