JULY 5: The Dodgers have signed Busch for full slot value, Jim Callis of MLB.com tweets.
JULY 3: The Dodgers are closing in on an agreement with first-round pick Michael Busch, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The two sides will ultimately reach a deal, according to Heyman. As the 31st overall choice, Busch’s selection calls for a $2.31MM slot value.
Busch, a former University of North Carolina first baseman, is one of two first-rounders the Dodgers reeled in during this year’s draft. They nabbed third baseman Kody Hoese, who’s already signed, at No. 25 overall. The club received the pick it used on Busch as compensation for not signing 30th overall choice J.T. Ginn in 2018.
Entering the draft, ESPN’s Keith Law (No. 16), Baseball America (24), FanGraphs (24), MLB.com (26) ranked Busch in the vicinity of where the Dodgers picked him. Law (subscription required) credits Busch as disciplined hitter who showed “quick hands” and an ability to make impactful contact at UNC. While Heyman notes Busch could become the Dodgers’ second baseman, Law suggests he’ll be limited to first and questions whether he’ll even perform well there in the majors.
Interesting comment about Busch’s ability to play first base. Baseball America pre-draft scouting report has Busch as a plus defender at first base
If Law is limiting him to first base and questioning whether he will be able to play there in the majors, they why is he rated 16th on his list? This is why I don’t even bother with anything Keith Law says.
Idk, maybe because of his offensive potential like the article says?
You’re right about one thing. You don’t know.
How does that have anything to do with where he is ranked?
How does it not? If the guy can’t play his best position in the majors, wouldn’t that make him basically a probable DH-only guy? I would wager that there are more than 15 guys that would rate better than him if he can’t play defense in the majors.
You’re not going to mistake me for a scout and I’ve never seen the kid play, but his bat must be pretty legit then.
Then why comment?
Tough crowd. He probably commented because that is what people do on this site, my intellectually challenged friend.
Welcome to MLBTR.
Thank you my maturity challenged friend.
Gentlemen
Please!
His comment was a question, and someone answered it, but he didn’t like the answer, so he said that person didn’t know enough to dare answer his question comment on this message board. That must be what the internet is for, Sir.
How was his comment a question? Just pointing that out.
Hopefully, he’ll agree to an underslot deal. We need money to sign Jimmy Lewis to an overslot deal too. Signing all of our picks would be amazing. The Dodgers pulled of a heist this year…
The bar has been set. He must hit a walk-off home run within a month of being called to the majors.
No pressure!
Nice to have another depth piece. Trade Joc and get an all star reliever