What happened: Michael Busch is swinging 4.3 percentage points less often while seeing pitches in the strike zone 5.6 points less frequently. His on-base percentage has risen 20 points, and a 117 wRC+ placed him among MLB's top 60 hitters entering Saturday.
Why it matters: Platoon-neutral production has helped him retain an everyday role after he worked mostly as a platoon bat in 2025. Pairing that selectivity with more damage would strengthen Chicago's lineup during its push for a second straight postseason appearance.
By the numbers: His walk rate rose 4.7 percentage points to 14.2%, while his average swing speed fell 1.2 mph. When behind in the count, his swing speed dropped 1.9 mph and his xwOBA declined from .284 to .193. He has a .483 xwOBA and 44.7% hard-hit rate when ahead.
What to watch: Watch whether his more aggressive July approach continues. He swung 49.7% of the time during the month, slugging .449 with three homers.