(NOTE: This is the fifth of a six part preview of the 2018 Stetson Baseball team. Tomorrow: Schedule Features Many New Foes)

Junior Jacob Koos was the Hatters Offensive MVP last spring, leading Stetson in batting average (.317), runs (50), hits (73) and stolen bases (23) while playing a gold glove caliber center field. He returns to the top of the batting order for the Hatters after missing the fall with a hip injury.
 
The corner spots in the outfield will look very familiar as well with junior Mike Spooner in right and a trio of returners – sophomores Andrew MacNeil and Austin Bogart along with junior Kirk Sidwell – sharing time in left.
 
"The outfield is crowded but we have some really good moving parts," Hatters coach Steve Trimper said. "Mike Spooner has looked really good in right. The only think about him is his ability to stay healthy, and we will have to really monitor that. Jacob Koos had a great year last year and will be the center fielder.
 
The other spot will really be Andrew MacNeil and Austin Bogart because they are the best options defensively and swinging the bats. The good news is that there is a lefty-righty situation out there with those two. You also can't write off Kirk Sidwell because he has made tremendous strides defensively and when he gets hot he is good."
 
Spooner had a solid fall as he transitioned back to the outfield. While primarily playing first base last year he hit .303, good for second on the team, with five home runs and a team best 43 RBI while also swiping eight bags without getting caught. He is recovering after having the flu during the December break, but should be at full strength to start the year.
 
MacNeil saw time in right last year and got hot at the end of the season, hitting a pair of home runs, before having a solid summer in the Northeast Collegiate League. Bogart and Sidwell shared left last year, and both will see time again this year. Sidwell will also see time at DH after hitting .273 during a down sophomore season.
 
Like Arenas, Bogart will be better served if he can cut down on his strikeouts but, even at just 5-8, he has plenty of power as evidenced by his 15 extra-base hits last spring.
 
A pair of freshmen, Cam Coakley and Jake Murphy, give the Hatters additional depth.
 
The designated hitter spot will also be competitive with returner Jack Gonzalez, a preseason All-ASUN pick, working to hold off challengers Sidwell, Bogart, Brooks Wilson and Eric Foggo.
 
"Jack Gonzalez could also see some time at first base, but he is more of a DH guy, especially against left-handers," Trimper said. "He is coming off a great year, a breakout year, and we hope he can continue to contribute in that way.
 
"DH is a tough one because you have to stay hot to hit and stay in that position. We are looking at Jack, Bogey, because we do want to use him as a pitcher and take him out of the outfield, Sidwell, Brooks and Foggo. There are five or six guys who could be the DH and we will just have to play the hot hand as we go through."

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.