“He's super athletic,” said Cubs Major League coach Jonathan Mota, who works with the infielders. “When you look at his footwork, he’s just needed more and more reps. That was our focus, and then we've been adding more stuff to it.
“He can play third base. He can play second base. That's valuable for a first baseman who can move around. And the bat is real. He's doing a really good job.”
Not only does Mota believe Busch’s background could make him an athletic first baseman with great range, the coach feels the arm strength could also be an asset. With a pair of Gold Glovers up the middle in shortstop Dansby Swanson and second baseman Nico Hoerner, there are opportunities for some dynamic plays (and double plays).
Busch has enjoyed the process of getting to know the ins and outs of their style of play, too.
“That's definitely a part of it. Nothing crazy,” Busch said. “I mean, those guys are so good. And I think that's just one of the things that you just learn over time, what they do, what they like to do on certain balls. But at the end of the day, I mean, they're so good that it makes my job a little easier.”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell called Busch’s play at first base “steady and consistent” this spring. He added that the “instinctual plays” that happen in-game pose the biggest remaining challenge for the rookie as he keeps testing and adjusting and learning the nuances of the position.
“The reps in that are really important,” Counsell said. “And it’s a little bit more challenging to practice, frankly, something that happens in the game. … The experience he's getting there has been good, and I think he's passed those tests really well.”