2018 Quick Facts
 
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler baseball team will return a majority of the infield from last year's 31-20 team. Michael Hartnagel will stay put at shortstop and sophomore Zach Jarosz will continue to start at second base. Corner infield positions are not set in stone, but the Bulldogs have plenty of options. The position battle behind the plate will also be something for BU fans to keep an eye on.
 
"What goes overlooked at times from our 2017 season was our defense," Schrage stated. "It's easy to see that we hit more home runs, or to see that Hartnagel posted better numbers, but look at the number of errors we cut out. We fielded .973 which was one of the biggest improvements on the team."
 
The infield as a whole played very well for Head Coach Dave Schrage last year, but the highlight reel type plays consistently included shortstop Michael Hartnagel.
 
"I thought Michael was the best defensive shortstop in the league last year," Schrage explained. "He's the glue to our infield defense. It's nice to return a fifth-year guy with a ton of experience. He is a leader on this club and you can see guys follow his lead because of how hard he works every day."
 
Hartnagel led the team in hits (63), batting average (.328), doubles (16) and on-base percentage (.405) last year. The red-shirt senior went on a 19-game hitting streak last year and reached base safely in 24-straight games. He ended the year with 39 runs scored and 28 RBI. One of Hartnagel's top highlights from the 2017 campaign included a 5-for-5 game at Furman with two doubles, three RBI's and a run scored. It was the second time in his BU career to record five hits in a single game.
 
"Offensively, we put Hartnagel in the four-hole last year because that's where he fit," Schrage explained. "He doesn't like to take a lot of pitches and he likes to hit with guys on base. It worked out for us because he had 20 extra base hits and provided us with some power."
 
The middle infield is in great shape as second baseman Zach Jarosz also returns for Butler. Jarosz stepped in as a true freshman to hit .240 from the plate. His defense was equally as impressive with Jarosz ending the year with just nine errors in the field. The do-it-all player spent time as the lead-off man a year ago and was able to post a .374 on-base percentage, leading the team with 29 walks.
 
"Jarosz was banged up last year so we expect to see some improvements this year, especially with his bat," Schrage said. "The thing I like about Jarosz is wherever you set the bar, he is already thinking higher and he's so tough. We clearly didn't know the full extent of his injury last year, but he never wanted to miss time. He would just tape up and play. Overall, I think he and Hartnagel make a very good tandem. When you are strong up the middle your team is usually pretty good defensively."
 
On the outside, Butler will need to replace Jordan Lucio at first base. Lucio graduated after a stellar senior season that saw him hit .310 and record 26 RBI. Options include Connor Dall, Connor Christman, Nathan Dill, Justin Hensley, or even Garrett Christman.
 
Christman did it all for Butler in 2017. He saw playing time at first base, third base, on the mound and as the team's designated hitter. He has a unique skill-set that can help Butler in multiple ways. Christman is a true utility man that can play on the corners and swing a hot bat in the BU lineup. Christman hit .268 as a junior with 24 runs scored and 18 RBI.
 
Dall and Connor Christman might be a better fit at first base due to Garrett Christman's ability to play third. Dall saw playing time in 38 games a year ago, making 32 starts. He hit .240 with two doubles and a home run.
 
"I'm expecting Connor to have a big year," Schrage stated. "I think he is one of our most improved guys in terms of hitting. We like that he's put on some muscle. In the field we believe that he has the hands to be able to play first."
 
Connor Christman is another option at first. The 6-1 sophomore spent some time at DH in 2017. "When you mention [Connor] Christman's name I instantly remember his big hit against Xavier and another big hit against IU. He gives us a good bat in the lineup and has a shot to play first base."
 
Butler will have some decisions to make on the other side of the diamond as well. Garrett Christman can hold down third base when he is not on the mound, but what happens on days where he does pitch?
 
Schrage is confident that freshman James Gargano can take some reps on that side of the field. The 6-0 freshman from Naperville, Ill. is someone that can make an immediate impact.
 
"James is a talented kid that can play third base and also see some time at DH," Schrage said. "He led our team in home runs this fall. He will definitely have a chance to play right away."
 
Another talented freshman on the roster is middle infielder Andy Bennett. The local product from Fishers Ind. is in the mix for some playing time this year.
 
"Andy is very solid defensively and as a left-hander, will be a valuable member of our team as a pinch-hitter," Schrage stated. "He has a great bat and is another guy that has a chance to play in our DH spot."
 
Just like a first base, the Bulldogs will need to replace a starter in the lineup behind the plate due to Michael DiViesti graduating. Duncan Hewitt, Zach Parker, Sam Russo, Connor Christman, and Jordan Wendel will all compete for innings.
 
Hewitt will try to fill the void in 2018 after starting in 21 games as a freshman and playing in 29 total games. Four of his 12 hits went for extra bases with three of those four leaving the ball park. Hewitt scored nine runs and notched seven RBI. Parker transferred to Butler from Lewis University. He is the younger brother of Gehrig Parker.
 
"There are some question marks behind the plate for us," Schrage explained. It's a pretty even battle heading into the start of the regular season. I think Duncan Hewitt and Zach Parker are going to catch a lot. We may have them split time early in the season."
 
Russo had surgery and missed fall ball. He will come back to provide Butler with depth at the position along with Connor Christman and Jordan Wendel.
 
"Christman receives the ball well and think Wendel is probably the catcher of the future," Schrage added. "Jordan can also see some at-bats this season in a pinch-hitting role."