2019 MLB Draft: Dodgers select Michael Busch with 31st overall pick

With the 31st pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, the Dodgers selected infielder/outfielder Michael Busch from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC. College hitters with a proven track record of performance almost always do well for themselves on draft day, and Busch fits squarely in that camp. Busch, in fact, is the second college hitter Los Angeles has taken during the first round — they took Tulane third baseman Kody Hoese with the 25th overall pick.

Busch is a 6-foot, 207-pound lefty with a solid swing and the potential for explosive power. He also has a great glove, so when not playing first base, he could be found at a corner outfield spot while playing for the Tar Heels. He also played some second base while in the Cape Cod League and was announced as a second baseman on Monday night. Busch is also surprisingly agile for his size, and he has the ability to make quick stops and is able to redirect himself back into the play. Busch is also very flexible and has received praise for his numerous terrific stops at first base.

One of the biggest weaknesses that has been noticed with Busch is that he leans back into his batting stance, which could negatively affect his production at the plate. His size also doesn’t translate to much speed, which is a disadvantage on the basepaths and in the outfield (where his defensive future is already in question). There are also questions about his platoon splits against lefties, but the sheer amount of hard contact he makes may diminish those concerns over time.