Q&A With North Carolina Commit: '16 Michael Busch- Simley

November 9, 2015

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota

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Name: Michael Busch
Position: SS
Class: 2016
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 185-pounds
High School: Simley
PBR Rank: #2 in MN 2016 Class

Evaluation: 5-foot-11, 188-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder. Solid- athletic frame. Ran a 6.93 60 at the event. Busch’s athleticism and bat has placed him among the elite players in MN 2016 class. Quiet actions in box. Busch shows upper echelon bat speed and drives baseballs with authority. Long through the zone and stays on pitches well to middle-pull side of field. 96 mph exit velocity off tee. Explosive defensively and shows above average range; feet are quick; glove is soft; with short clean exchanges.

PBR: Why did you choose the University of North Carolina?
BUSCH: I chose the University of North Carolina because of many reasons. Their coaching staff are not only fantastic coaches but they are even better people. Also, the opportunity to play against and with some of the best baseball competition in the nation is something that I am going to look forward to. Besides the baseball part, I think one of the most important factors in my decision was the education that UNC will provide for me. It has been a dream of mine to play professional baseball but if that does not work out I want to be able to get a successful job and I thought the University of North Carolina would do that for me.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
BUSCH: I was considering many schools like the University of Minnesota, University of Oklahoma, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, North Dakota State University, and Kansas University.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
BUSCH: The coaching staff first saw me on an online video and then proceeded to come watch me play up here in Minnesota at a Scout-Stop showcase. Our relationship developed very fast as we began to talk often. The coaching staff at UNC was very easy to get along with and I just felt very comfortable with Coach Fox and the rest of the amazing staff.

PBR: Do you feel relieved now that the process is over and you can just focus on baseball and not deal with everything that goes into picking a school?
BUSCH: I do feel a relief that the process is over but I would not change one thing. I am very blessed to have the opportunity to see all of these awesome colleges and get to meet great coaches and players throughout the whole process. It was a time in my life that I will cherish and never forget.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
BUSCH: I do not think there was one deciding factor. I wanted to put myself in a spot that I felt was the best possible place to provide me with everything I was looking for in a college.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
BUSCH: I think the people that have helped me the most are my family. My parents have been here for me my whole life and have taught me that being humble and helping others is something that will get you the furthest in life. I love every single one of my seven siblings and they have helped shape me to be the person I am today, and for that I have to thank them. More on the baseball aspect of things, Adam Barta and Justin Musil have given me opportunities that I would most definitely not have if it wasn’t for them. I have learned so many things from Coach Barta and Blizzard baseball and would recommend it to all baseball players in or around the state of Minnesota. Mr. Musil with Elite Sports will get a player where they are capable and wanting to go. He works as hard as anyone I know and will bring the best out in a player. Finally, my high school coach, Kevin Kirkwold. He has been there for me on and off the field and has given me the abilities to play at this level. He’s a great coach and person.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?
BUSCH: I did not really know what to expect to be honest. It was easy and difficult. It was the toughest thing to meet the most respectful coaches ever and have to turn them down. One thing that players in the process have to understand is that you have to put in time and find what you truly want as a person and player.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season?
BUSCH: I believe the coaching staff wants me to be playing my freshman year. I know that a spot will not be given to me but I will work harder than anyone else on that field to get a starting spot.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
BUSCH: I would have to say my most memorable moment is being able to play with my brother in 2 years of high school and 3 years of legion. He is currently playing at North Dakota State University and has been a huge impact on where I am today. He would always bring me to the weight room and have me go hit with him in the cages during the day. I would not be where I am today without him.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against?
BUSCH: The best player I have competed against would have to be Tyrell Buck. The kid would have like 3 extra-base hits every time we played him. Great player and wish him the best of luck.

Q&A With North Carolina Commit: '16 Michael Busch- Simley

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