Michael Busch caught in rookie slump as Anthony Rizzo returns to Wrigley Field

The Chicago Cubs host the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field this weekend and a series that will mark a homecoming for Anthony Rizzo.

Since trading Rizzo to the Yankees at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline in 2021, the Cubs' first base position has been a black hole. There have been experiments with journeymen minor leaguers such as Frank Schwindel and Alfonso Rivas, as well as hopes for a spark from once-was veterans Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini, but nothing has worked for the Cubs. Even a prospect such as Matt Mervis, who was more fan hype than actual prospect expectation, quickly faded into being. a non-factor at first base for the Cubs.

It seems that the Cubs may be close to finally having an answer at the position with Michael Busch. Busch, overall, is having an impressive rookie season as he enters play on Friday with a slash line of .249/.337/.427 with a wRC+ of 116 while also emerging as a plus defense at first base.

It's been an ideal first step for the Cubs in terms of finally hoping to have an answer at first base. Busch's rookie season has been a story of adjustments as he started off hot before pitchers adjusted but he adjusted back prior to the All-Star break.

Even with recent struggles, Michael Busch remains the answer for the Cubs at first base.

It seems that pitchers have made the adjustment back. Busch has struggled during the second half of the season with a slash line of .206/.296/.348 along with a 84 wRC+. A stark regression from the 130 wRC+ he had during the first half.

Even with his latest rough patch, Busch appears to be the closest thing to a solution for the Cubs at first base since the trade of Rizzo. And while we are on the subject, let's point out that Busch's first full season with the Cubs is not far off from Rizzo's. In 2013, Rizzo slashed .233/.323/.419 with a 105 wRC+. So even while Busch is in the middle of another adjustment period, as a whole, the Cubs remain headed in the right direction.