In a move today that caught most everyone by surprise, the Cubs are reported to have acquired relief pitcher Yency Almonte and 1B/3B/OF Michael Busch from the Dodgers for pitcher Jackson Ferris and outfielder Zyhir Hope. Almonte is expected to be pitching at the major league level and Busch should be competing in spring training to make the major league roster. With no clear starter at 3B for the Cubs, speculation is that Busch will be targeted to play there, while also maybe seeing some time at 1B or a corner outfield.
Michael Busch
Michael Busch was a 1st round pick in 2019 out of North Carolina and was their #2 prospect according to MLB . He has hit with power at each stop of his minor league career and has 79 home runs. In 2023, he posted a minor league slash line of .323/.431/.618, and a major league slash line of .167/.247/.292. He had a pair of brief stints at the major league level with the Dodgers in 2023.
Jackson Ferris
Jackson Ferris was a 2nd round pick by the Cubs in 2022 out of IMG Academy. He began the 2023 season in Myrtle Beach, which demonstrated a lot of respect for his ability as a high school draft pick. He started 18 games throwing 56 innings and collected 77 strikeouts. He was the Cubs #8 ranked prospect and flashed a lot of promise in his first full season.
Zyhir Hope
Outfielder Zyhir Hope joined the Cubs organization this past summer as an 11th round pick from Stafford, VA. There were questions on whether the Cubs would be able to sign him but brought him into the fold and played in 11 games in the ACL, before getting a call up to Myrtle Beach at season’s end. He has a lot of speed and plays good defense. Zyhir has been mentioned by many prospect watchers as a guy who could jump on the radar in the near future.
Even though Ferris and Hope were at least 3 or 4 years away, not sure if I like giving them up so quickly, and for an older prospect who was deemed expendable by his current franchise; feel as though Busch is just a mash up of Mervis and Morel, and not necessarily with much more offensive upside. Prayerfully there’s a Rizzo hiding in there…….