Dodgers’ MLB Draft Picks: First-Rounder Michael Busch

The 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft is in the books and the Dodgers have hopes of adding quite a few of their selections from this year into their prospect ranks. This article is the second in a series where we will take a look at every draft pick from this year, provide updates on who actually signs with the club, and project and discuss the long-term outlooks of each player.

Michael Busch

With their second selection in the first round, the Dodgers selected 22-year-old second baseman Michael Busch. The Dodgers received the pick as a result of a failure to sign their first round pick last year, right-hander JT Ginn.

With the 31st pick, the @Dodgers select 2B Michael Busch. #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/yTbdHgm2pJ

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 4, 2019

Busch was being considered more so in the second round of the draft, but the Dodgers got their guy here regardless. He was a fantastic asset for the Tar Heels at North Carolina. The current slot for Busch is $2,310,000 and at this point in time, he has yet to sign.

Busch at North Carolina

Busch, standing at an even six feet tall, had a productive year, batting .290 with 16 home runs and 57 runs batted in. Busch was named the 2019 ACC Tournament MVP — which is quite the honor — and received First-Team All-ACC honors.

Here is a look at a fantastic defensive play by Busch:

A #SCTop10 play here from Michael Busch to make the diving catch over the bullpen fence in left field.

Tune in as Austin Bergner looks to finish a complete game shutout.https://t.co/GzmWRpLyMn pic.twitter.com/g4Wjh9okR7

— Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) May 11, 2019

Long-Term Outlook

Michael Busch’s final landing position is still up in the air at this point in time, but the Dodgers drafted him as a second base. As JJ Cooper implies below, second base now fits a power profile:

Interesting the Dodgers announce North Carolina's Michael Busch as a 2B. Mostly seen as a 1B/Corner OF. But worth seeing if he can handle 2B. Was a high school SS and 2B has become a power position.

— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) June 4, 2019

Busch has power and could have positional versatility later on down the road, should he develop into a 1B/2B/OF type. His glove is fantastic, his raw power is there, and he was very patient at the plate this past year for North Carolina, walking 58 times and only striking out 34 times.

Obviously it is too early to project a guy who has yet to see the field as a professional yet, it is not hard to get excited about Busch’s potential. Gavin Lux is currently set as the second baseman of the future for Los Angeles, but Busch could be up in the big leagues within the next two or three years considering his age. It will be interesting to see what he finds his home position-wise.