Cubs Have Another Player Who Deserves All-Star Honor
The Chicago Cubs have certainly not had the season they envisioned so far in 2024, but one of the brighter spots on the team is the emergence of left-handed hitter Michael Busch. The 26-year-old rookie has been the best position player on the Cubs and during the past month Busch is showing that he’s deserving of an All-Star honor.
Busch extended his MLB-best streak of reaching base in 26 consecutive starts Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels by crushing a two-run homer, which secured a 5-0 Cubs win at Wrigley Field. The first baseman is now slashing .264/.359/.457, with 11 home runs this season.
Marquee Sports Network compared Busch’s numbers to the rest of the National League and there’s one clear conclusion: Michael Busch has been a top-20 hitter in the NL so far in 2024.
If you narrow down the numbers to only MLB first basemen, then you’ll find that Busch is currently a top-5 player at his position.
Following Sunday’s two-run home run against lefty reliever Matt Moore, Busch is up to a 132 wRC+. That puts Busch in the upper echelon of first basemen in the league and ahead of other star players like Pete Alonso and Matt Olson.
MLB 1B wRC+ Leaders
Bryce Harper: 169
Freddie Freeman: 157
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: 139
Christian Walker: 136
Michael Busch: 132
The tough part that faces Busch’s chances of receiving All-Star Game honors is that the National League is loaded at first base. Out of the top-5 wRC+ leaders at the position, four are in the NL, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is in the American League with the Toronto Blue Jays.
As a reminder, each All-Star squad is made up of 32 players: 20 position players and 12 pitchers.
So, you know, top-20 hitter in the league, yeah Michael Busch is very much deserving of a reserve spot on the NL All-Star team if all things are equal.