University of North Carolina Athletics
Busch Leading On And Off The Field
February 23, 2018 | Baseball
By Joe Wedra
If you ask anyone around the North Carolina clubhouse about Michael Busch, chances are they'll provide you a fairly glowing review. Both in the clubhouse and on the field, there aren't many players who are set to make as much of an impact on the 2018 Tar Heels.
Just about eight months ago, Busch – a freshman who burst onto the scene with a knack for clutch hitting – recorded the final out of the team's heart-breaking loss to Davidson in the NCAA Regional. It wasn't the way the season was supposed to end, but it was perhaps somewhat of a turning point for Busch.
It marked a tough end of his freshman season at Carolina, but it also acted, and still acts, as a moment that he'll have in the back of his mind as motivation. Where the heartbreak struck heavy in June, Busch now enters a sophomore season full of expectations and opportunity.
Through the first five games of the year, his .409 average (9-22) leads the team, as does his .727 slugging percentage and 10 RBI. He's tallied multi-hit performances in four games, part of an eight-game hitting streak that dates back to last season.
"I think it's confidence," head coach Mike Fox said when asked about the difference between last year and the start of Busch's 2018 campaign. "You never know when guys start the season. Most of baseball, most of hitting especially, is trying to keep yourself calm and under control because you really have to see the ball. The guys who press are trying too hard. It makes it almost impossible to put a good swing on it.
"Michael just has that ability to stay under control. He never gives away an at-bat and he has a great eye. He doesn't swing at many balls, and that's the key."
What Busch has done at the dish thus far has turned heads, but his most noticeable impact around the Carolina clubhouse might be his ability to provide a presence of leadership.
After losing major contributors to graduation and the MLB Draft, the leadership – both spoken and unspoken – on the 2018 Carolina squad has been put onto the shoulders of key returners like Busch and the juniors and seniors such as Kyle Datres and Zack Gahagan.
Busch embraces that role, one that he's been able to ease into after looking to those who guided last year's 49-win team.
"I learned a lot from the guys last year who loved this team probably more than I ever have," Busch said. "Adam Pate, Brian Miller, Tyler Lynn, Logan Warmoth, all of those guys that are gone now. They played a huge [role] in 'okay, we lost, now we're going to come back and we're going to let this go and win the next day.' Just everything that they taught me and for what they did as leaders was a big impact on how our guys lead this team."
It perhaps shouldn't be much of a surprise that Busch is embracing the opportunity to lead here in his second season at Chapel Hill. At Simley High School in east Minnesota, the left-hander had his fair share of leadership experience. There, he captained his baseball, football and hockey teams, playing the latter two sports for three seasons at the varsity level.
Experience taking the reins in the locker room is hardly foreign for Busch. Now, he says he looks at leading this Carolina team with an optimistic perspective. With a new group of freshmen set to make an impact, he's already seen ways to mentor them with experiences from his initial season just a year ago.
One of those tips he'll be passing on – staying grounded.
He described some of the new members of the team as "wide-eyed" with adrenaline pumping as they're looking to make an immediate impact. Busch knows the feeling. And while he says he wants them to keep that spirit, there's a balance to be struck.
"Probably the hardest part is trying to get those guys relaxed, because baseball is such a tough sport," he said. "Just trying to relax those guys and trying to help them enjoy this experience that they have at North Carolina playing baseball, which is something that you'll never get again after you leave here."
Busch is still learning how to lead at the college level, but there aren't too many signs that say he's not headed in the right direction. He's embracing the role in the clubhouse, capitalizing early on opportunities and helping the new members of the team get acquainted with Carolina's winning ways.
He's confident. Even with three early losses, Busch and the rest of the veteran leaders in the clubhouse haven't wavered in regards to their faith in this year's edition of the Diamond Heels.
For the veterans, they're ready to turn the page and write the next chapter with this 2018 group.
"I think we'll be really good," Busch said. "We have a lot of guys coming back. A lot of pitchers and hitters coming back who knew what it was like to win like we did last year. We're going to figure it out. I wouldn't say this is a slow start… I'm excited for this team and what we can do."
If you ask anyone around the North Carolina clubhouse about Michael Busch, chances are they'll provide you a fairly glowing review. Both in the clubhouse and on the field, there aren't many players who are set to make as much of an impact on the 2018 Tar Heels.
Just about eight months ago, Busch – a freshman who burst onto the scene with a knack for clutch hitting – recorded the final out of the team's heart-breaking loss to Davidson in the NCAA Regional. It wasn't the way the season was supposed to end, but it was perhaps somewhat of a turning point for Busch.
It marked a tough end of his freshman season at Carolina, but it also acted, and still acts, as a moment that he'll have in the back of his mind as motivation. Where the heartbreak struck heavy in June, Busch now enters a sophomore season full of expectations and opportunity.
Through the first five games of the year, his .409 average (9-22) leads the team, as does his .727 slugging percentage and 10 RBI. He's tallied multi-hit performances in four games, part of an eight-game hitting streak that dates back to last season.
"I think it's confidence," head coach Mike Fox said when asked about the difference between last year and the start of Busch's 2018 campaign. "You never know when guys start the season. Most of baseball, most of hitting especially, is trying to keep yourself calm and under control because you really have to see the ball. The guys who press are trying too hard. It makes it almost impossible to put a good swing on it.
"Michael just has that ability to stay under control. He never gives away an at-bat and he has a great eye. He doesn't swing at many balls, and that's the key."
What Busch has done at the dish thus far has turned heads, but his most noticeable impact around the Carolina clubhouse might be his ability to provide a presence of leadership.
After losing major contributors to graduation and the MLB Draft, the leadership – both spoken and unspoken – on the 2018 Carolina squad has been put onto the shoulders of key returners like Busch and the juniors and seniors such as Kyle Datres and Zack Gahagan.
Busch embraces that role, one that he's been able to ease into after looking to those who guided last year's 49-win team.
"I learned a lot from the guys last year who loved this team probably more than I ever have," Busch said. "Adam Pate, Brian Miller, Tyler Lynn, Logan Warmoth, all of those guys that are gone now. They played a huge [role] in 'okay, we lost, now we're going to come back and we're going to let this go and win the next day.' Just everything that they taught me and for what they did as leaders was a big impact on how our guys lead this team."
It perhaps shouldn't be much of a surprise that Busch is embracing the opportunity to lead here in his second season at Chapel Hill. At Simley High School in east Minnesota, the left-hander had his fair share of leadership experience. There, he captained his baseball, football and hockey teams, playing the latter two sports for three seasons at the varsity level.
Experience taking the reins in the locker room is hardly foreign for Busch. Now, he says he looks at leading this Carolina team with an optimistic perspective. With a new group of freshmen set to make an impact, he's already seen ways to mentor them with experiences from his initial season just a year ago.
One of those tips he'll be passing on – staying grounded.
He described some of the new members of the team as "wide-eyed" with adrenaline pumping as they're looking to make an immediate impact. Busch knows the feeling. And while he says he wants them to keep that spirit, there's a balance to be struck.
"Probably the hardest part is trying to get those guys relaxed, because baseball is such a tough sport," he said. "Just trying to relax those guys and trying to help them enjoy this experience that they have at North Carolina playing baseball, which is something that you'll never get again after you leave here."
Busch is still learning how to lead at the college level, but there aren't too many signs that say he's not headed in the right direction. He's embracing the role in the clubhouse, capitalizing early on opportunities and helping the new members of the team get acquainted with Carolina's winning ways.
He's confident. Even with three early losses, Busch and the rest of the veteran leaders in the clubhouse haven't wavered in regards to their faith in this year's edition of the Diamond Heels.
For the veterans, they're ready to turn the page and write the next chapter with this 2018 group.
"I think we'll be really good," Busch said. "We have a lot of guys coming back. A lot of pitchers and hitters coming back who knew what it was like to win like we did last year. We're going to figure it out. I wouldn't say this is a slow start… I'm excited for this team and what we can do."
Players Mentioned
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