Season Preview II - Pirate Outfielders - Seton Hall University Athletics

The Seton Hall baseball team returns to action this week when it begins a three-game series in Port Charlotte, Fla. against Ohio State on Friday. As part of our three-day 2019 Season Preview, today we take a look at the Pirates' outfield.

WHO'S BACK?
Nick Dabrio
Christian Del Castillo **
Mike Esposito
Tyler Shedler-McAvoy **
**returning starter

WHO'S GONE?
Ryan Ramiz – First Team All-BIG EAST
Michael Riley
Will Rittweger
Chris Talbott

WHO'S NEW?
None

ANALYSIS
The 2019 Seton Hall outfield returns two of its three starters from a year ago, but will have to proceed without four-year starter, All-BIG EAST performer Ryan Ramiz. Still, the unit should be regarded as one of the best defensively in the BIG EAST conference.

Tyler Shedler-McAvoy (Allendale, N.J.) returns as the everyday centerfielder. The junior is one of the conference's top defenders, displaying excellent speed and wide range. At the plate, Shedler-McAvoy batted .298 over 38 starts with a home run and 19 RBIs. One of the fastest base-runners in the BIG EAST, he tallied a team-best 15 stolen bases in 18 attempts in 2018, which ranked third in the conference. During the 2018 BIG EAST Championship, Shedler-McAvoy batted .353 with three RBIs and two steals.

Capable of playing all three outfield positions, Christian Del Castillo (Miami, Fla.) will be an everyday starter for the second straight year. The junior made 44 starts in 2018, primarily in left field, and showed good range and arm strength. Del Castillo made several diving catches, and threw a runner out at the plate on Championship Sunday in last season's BIG EAST Tournament against St. John's. At the plate, Del Castillo batted .237 for the season with two home runs and 15 RBIs.

Expected to move into a starting role for 2019 is Nick Dabrio (Jackson, N.J.). The senior saw a good amount of action as the team's "fourth" outfielder in 2018, appearing in 29 games and making 16 starts. Dabrio batted .186 in 70 at bats with 10 RBIs. Dabrio transferred to Seton Hall prior to the start of the 2018 season. He's likely going to get the start in left field to open the season.

Billed as a utility player, who is also capable of filling in at catcher if needed, Mike Esposito (Chester, N.J.) will provide depth for the unit in 2019. A power bat, Esposito appeared in just three games last season and drew a walk.

With only four players on the roster with outfield experience, coach Rob Sheppard had sophomores Casey Dana (Montgomery, N.Y.) and Jerry Huntzinger (Staten Island, N.Y.) take some outfield practice this past fall. With Dana slotted to be the everyday third baseman and Huntzinger scheduled to catch plenty, they're simply additional outfield depth should the need arise.

2019 Season Preview
Part I – Infield
Part III – Pitching Staff