The Chicago Cubs currently have three players headed to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game and it's a shame that a few more weren't named to the National League squad. I know every fan base is going to fight for their guys, but this is pretty insane. We're not just talking about a couple guys having good seasons, they're literally top hitters in MLB, but apparently that wasn't good enough to be selected as All-Stars.
Specifically, Michael Busch got 100% screwed over.
Through no fault of his own Busch has flown under the radar in 2025, yet he's entering the final week leading up to the All-Star break as the best hitter on the Cubs. He helped destroy the St. Louis Cardinals this past weekend, setting the tone on Friday, when Busch blasted three home runs, leading to a franchise record eight home runs hit by the Cubs.
Busch, who is now in his second year as the Cubs' first baseman, has firmly established himself as a cornerstone at Wrigley Field. After going 9-for-12, with four home runs against the Cardinals Busch is now up to a team-leading .950 OPS and 166 wRC+.
Here is where Busch stacks up against his peers in MLB as a whole and his rankings in the National League alone.
Michael Busch rankings
166 wRC+: (5th in MLB, 3rd in NL)
.950 OPS: (5th in MLB, 3rd in NL)
Michael Busch Rankings among first basemen
.297 AVG: (4th in MLB, 3rd in NL)
.384 OBP: (2nd in MLB, 1st in NL)
.566 SLG: (1st in MLB, 1st in NL)
.950 OPS: (1st in MLB, 1st in NL)
166 wRC+: (1st in MLB, 1st in NL)
18 HR: (3rd in MLB, 2nd in NL)
56 RBI: (t-4th in MLB, t-4th in NL)
44 R: (t-8th in MLB, 4th in NL)
Freddie Freeman was voted in as the starting first baseman for the National League, while Pete Alonso and Matt Olson were each named reserves for the NL team.
And well, if you couldn't already tell, even before Sunday night's game, when the final rosters were announced, Busch was the best of the bunch for NL first basemen.
As for Freeman, who was voted in by the fans, he's having another great year. Yet, it's still not as good as Busch's 2025 season so far.
Busch vs. Freeman (through July 6)
Michael Busch: .297/.384/.566, 166 wRC+, .950 OPS, 18 HR, 2.7 fWAR
Freddie Freeman: .307/.376/.495, 141 wRC+, .871 OPS, 10 HR, 2.2 fWAR
It's crazy. Michael Busch is literally having a top-5 hitting season among all MLB players heading into the All-Star break and he can't even get a spot on the NL team as a backup. Ridiculous.
