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5 Young Players the Seattle Mariners Can Add Via Trade

By Curtis Christianson

MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 18: Sixto Sanchez #73 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on September 18, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 18: Sixto Sanchez #73 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on September 18, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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Michael Busch, L.A. Dodgers 2B

SURPRISE, ARIZONA – MARCH 07: Second baseman Michael Busch #58 of the Los Angeles Dodgers fields a ground ball against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning of the MLB spring training baseball game at Surprise Stadium on March 07, 2021 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
SURPRISE, ARIZONA – MARCH 07: Second baseman Michael Busch #58 of the Los Angeles Dodgers fields a ground ball against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning of the MLB spring training baseball game at Surprise Stadium on March 07, 2021 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

Michael Busch is a second base prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he just had a monster season in AA. He was drafted in 2019 with the 31st overall pick out of North Carolina. In 107 games at AA, he slashed .267/.386/.484, with 20 home runs and 27 doubles. That is a breakout season from a good college performer. He appears to be a polished player who can really hit from the left side of the plate.

He is primarily a second baseman, but he played 11 games at first base last year, giving him more versatility. He played left field in college as well, so that could be in his profile as well. The Mariners would want to add him to get him experience in AAA Tacoma in 2022, potentially making his way to the big leagues later in the year. He could be a player that they want to play second base next year for them and beyond.

MLB Pipeline projects Busch to be a quality player, with 45 or better grades everywhere across the board: 55 hit tool, 55 power, 45 runner, 45 arm strength, and 45 fielding grade. They even say he could be a Max Muncy type player. If the Mariners were to add their version of Max Muncy who can hit for a little better average, that is huge. Michael Busch could be a key contributor to the Mariners rebuild and their future.

He would not cost as much as Vidal Brujan, but he is still a top 100 or so prospect. He is ranked in the 70s on MLB Pipeline. The Mariners could use him as a left-handed bat soon for their lineup.

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