History of Michael Busch (baseball) in Timeline

Michael Busch is a professional baseball infielder currently playing for the Chicago Cubs in MLB. Prior to joining the Cubs, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, making his MLB debut in 2023. Busch played college baseball at the University of North Carolina. He is an American athlete in the sport of baseball.

Sections (1)

Full Timeline

November 9, 1997: Michael Busch's Birth

On November 9, 1997, Michael James Busch was born. He is an American professional baseball first baseman.

2016: High School and Draft Status

In 2016, Michael Busch was undrafted out of Simley High School in the Major League Baseball draft and enrolled at the University of North Carolina to play college baseball.

2017: Freshman Year at North Carolina

In 2017, as a freshman at North Carolina, Michael Busch appeared in 55 games, hitting .215 with three home runs and 22 RBIs. He also played in the Northwoods League for the St. Cloud Rox after the season.

2018: Sophomore Year and College World Series

In 2018, Michael Busch started all 64 games for North Carolina, batting .317 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament's Chapel Hill Regional and helped lead North Carolina to the 2018 College World Series. He was also named to the All-ACC Second Team. He played in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Chatham Anglers after the season.

2019: Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers

In 2019, Michael Busch was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the 31st overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft and signed with them on July 5 for a $2.31 million bonus.

2019: Preseason Honors and Junior Year

In 2019, prior to the season, Michael Busch was named a preseason All-American. Over 65 games, he batted .284 with 16 home runs and 57 RBIs.

2020: Minor League Season Cancellation

In 2020, Michael Busch did not play a minor league game due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: All-Star Futures Game Selection and Tulsa Drillers Season

In 2021, Michael Busch was assigned to the Tulsa Drillers and selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game. He hit .267 with twenty home runs and 67 RBIs over 107 games and was selected as a post-season Double-A Central All-Star.

November 15, 2022: Added to Dodgers 40-man Roster

On November 15, 2022, the Dodgers added Michael Busch to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

2022: Promotion to Oklahoma City Dodgers

In 2022, Michael Busch began the season with the Tulsa Drillers and, after batting .306 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs over 31 games, he was promoted to the Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he hit .266 in 111 games with 21 homers and 79 RBIs.

2023: MLB Debut

In 2023, Michael Busch made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2023: MLB Call-Up and Minor League Player of the Year

In 2023, Michael Busch was called up to the majors for the first time on April 25. He was selected as the organization's Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .323 with 27 home runs and 90 RBI in 98 games for Oklahoma City, helping them win the Pacific Coast League (PCL) championship. He was also honored as the MVP and Top Prospect of the PCL.

January 11, 2024: Traded to Chicago Cubs

On January 11, 2024, Michael Busch was traded by the Dodgers to the Chicago Cubs along with Yency Almonte in exchange for Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope. He had a five-game home run streak from April 10-15, tying the longest streak by a Cub.

2025: All-Star Game Fan Voting and Three-Homer Game

In 2025, Michael Busch finished third in Phase 1 of fan voting for the MLB All-Star Game. On July 4, Busch became the first Cubs first baseman since Ernie Banks to have a three-homer game. He ended the 2025 MLB Regular Season with a career-high 34 home runs and 90 RBI.