Chicago Cubs: Michael Busch has been a bright spot amid team’s 9-game losing streak

MLB.com recently published their list of 10 high-profile hitters who have put their slow starts behind them. Busch was among them with the following explanation:

“Busch had to be feeling good about himself after his three-hit showing on Opening Day against the Nationals. Unfortunately, he would collect the same number of hits over his next 13 games and 47 at-bats. He started to heat up in the back half of April but still ended the season’s first full month with a lackluster 71 wRC+.

“In May, Busch has a 179 wRC+, sixth-best among qualified batters. That includes his game on Monday, when he drilled a solo homer to center field for Chicago’s only run against the Pirates. Heading into Memorial Day, Busch ranked third in hard-hit rate (61.1%) and second in barrel rate (20.4%) among all hitters with at least 50 batted balls this month.”

These are some nice advanced stats that show how much better Busch has been hitting as of late, but more traditional stats tell the same story too.

In April, Busch hits just .193/.295/.281 with two home runs and 11 RBI. He also struck out 30 times and walked just 15 times.

May has been much better. So far this month, the Cubs first baseman is hitting .286/.440/.558 with four home runs and 19 RBI. He has struck out 21 times, but has walked nearly as much (20 times).

His solo home run on Monday was the only production from Chicago’s woeful offense, but the case of Michael Busch should give Cubs fans some hope.

It took him a month to figure things out at the plate, but he did figure it out. It stands to reason, too, that other Cubs hitters will snap out of their current slumps as well.

The big question everyone wants answered, though, is when?