Michael Busch and Shota Imanaga could prove to be emerging trend for Cubs

A large part of the reason the Chicago Cubs seem to be playing themselves back into contention in the National League Wild Card race is that starting pitcher Shota Imanaga and first baseman Michael Busch's hot starts to the season have proven to be the reality of what each player means to the Cubs' roster.

Imanaga continues to thrive at the top of the Cubs' rotation next to Justin Steele. Through his first 21 starts this season, Imanaga sports a 3.06 ERA with a 2.8 fWAR. It's not a case of Imanaga getting lucky either as the rookie starting pitcher with a 3.41 FIP.

In any other season, Imanaga would have cemented his case as being the best rookie on the Cubs' roster.

The good problem that the Cubs have is that Busch is also making a compelling case. Busch has drawn comparisons to Anthony Rizzo with how he has handled the first base position in his first season with the Cubs and has a slash line of .262/.349/.464 this season with a 128 wRC+.

Shota Imanaga and Michael Busch could be first of a developing trend for the Cubs.

In the closing months of the Major League Baseball season, the conversation surrounding National League Rookie of the Year is picking up as was the case in The Athletic (Subscription Required) this morning. Imanaga and Busch get the mentions that they deserve but it would seem that Paul Skenes will all but run away with the award by the time we reach the end of the season.

But, Imanaga and Busch's inclusion in the conversation could spark a trend for the Cubs moving forward, In the coming seasons, the Cubs will begin to see the fruits of their labor in terms of the work they did to revamp their farm system. Matt Shaw, Owen Caissie, and Cade Horton are all knocking on the door and could be contributors to the 2025 team's success.

Beyond the 2025 season, Cam Smith and Kevin Alcantara will likely be impactful players at the Major League level when they make their debuts.

The Cubs will have no shortage of Rookie of the Year candidates in the season ahead, a sign that the organization as a whole is in a healthy spot.