Michael
Busch

6/16/15- MN Top Prospect
5-foot-11, 188-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder. Solid- athletic frame.  Ran a 6.93 60 at the event. Busch’s athleticism and bat has placed him among the elite players in MN 2016 class. Quiet actions in box. Busch shows upper echelon bat speed and drives baseballs with authority. Long through the zone and stays on pitches well to middle-pull side of field. 96 mph exit velocity off tee. Explosive defensively and shows above average range; feet are quick; glove is soft; with short clean exchanges. Currently rehabbing throwing shoulder and did not make throws at the event.

High level ability with bat. Left-handed hitter with bat speed and good hand-eye coordination. Works middle of field with flashes of pop to pull side. Above average defender in middle infield. Sub 6.8 runner. Very good all-around player separates him from most players his age.

2/15/19: Strong bodied at 6-foot, 205 pounds, Busch found barrels throughout his batting practice rounds and singled in his third game at-bat. He continued to show elite pitch recognition skills and a selective aggressive approach with four walks. Also showed a below average, yet playable arm strength with fair accuracy from left field during pre-game. Possesses capable defensive actions in the outfield, but currently a better defender at first base where he will likely be average as a MLer. A bit better athlete, Busch has a similar profile to Kyle Schwarber who was widely considered a first-round talent in 2014, yet was somewhat of a surprise at No. 4 overall.

8/1/2018: Along with Matt Wallner (Southern Miss) and Isaac Collins (Creighton), Busch is another Class of 2016 Minnesota prep who has turned himself into one of the top college bats for the 2019 draft. Unlike many hitters who bat opposite their throwing side, Busch does not have a weak top hand in his swing. Credit his youth hockey days for this ability. He is up there to damage the baseball. Sets up in a slightly spread stance then takes a longer stride to the ball. Keeps his hands back, gets into his legs and uses his entire body very well. Good rhythm, smooth swing, ball jumps off his bat. Plus raw power to all fields. Also a disciplined hitter who rarely chases and will take a walk. A high school shortstop, Busch has returned to playing up the middle in the Cape after spending this past spring playing first base for the Tar Heels. He’s made many starts this summer at second base. However, Busch likely does not have the hands or range to stick at the keystone long-term. Despite below average run and throw tools, he looks to have enough of both to be playable in left field (think Kyle Schwarber), or he could return to first base. As a draft prospect his power/patience combo will be very appealing to MLB analytics departments. Expect Busch to be considered for the top rounds this June. (Seifert)