Grading the Dodgers' last 6 first-round draft picks

Dodgers 2019 First-Round Pick: Michael Busch

Pick: 31st overall
School: UNC
Position: Second base

Fortunately for the Dodgers, they did get another first-round pick in the 2019 draft and they spent it on UNC second baseman Michael Busch. Busch has never been a good defender at any point in his baseball career, but the guy has always hit everywhere he has been. He hits for average and for power from the left side, and the only reason he was available that late was due to teams not having a great sense of where to play him on defense.

Once he got into the Dodgers' farm system, it was more of the same. After struggling in his draft year and sitting out the 2020 season like everyone else, Busch posted back-to-back seasons where he logged an OPS approaching .900, including the 2022 season, during which he hit 32 homers between Double-A and Triple-A. The defensive questions are still there to be sure, but it does seem like he has at least improved as a second baseman. The bat is what matters here, though, and he has a good one.

Finally we have a decent pick from the Dodgers. Busch's lack of defensive value diminishes his ceiling, but offense usually outweighs all. With the designated hitter now in the National League, there will at least be one place LA can play his bat every day. Busch has already gotten a cup of coffee in the big leagues and if he keeps up his pace, he could end up sticking in the Dodgers' lineup for a while (or be used as trade bait at the deadline).

Grade: B+