VILLANOVA, Pa.—With the baseball season opener just days away, we take a look at the outfielders and catchers on the 2019 roster.  Villanova opens the 154^th season of varsity baseball on Friday afternoon against Pittsburgh in the first of three games at the Sunshine State Classic.  We previously looked at the team's infielders leading up to the start of the year. 
 
OUTFIELD
 
There will be an interesting mix of returning starters and up-and-coming prospects in the Wildcats outfield this season.  Junior left-handed hitter Tyler Bruno (L-R, 5-9, 175) is the veteran of the group and has started 84 games over the past two seasons.  Sophomore Josh Kim (R-R, 5-11, 175) worked his way into the lineup on a regular basis as a rookie, while classmate Chris Rotondo (R-R, 6-0, 175) also showcased the potential to be a key contributor.  Adding to the group are sophomore Sam Margulis (R-R, 5-11, 160) and freshman Theron Schilling (R-R, 6-1, 190). 
 
Bruno has played in both outfield corners for Villanova and should once again hold down a spot in the lineup.  He uses his speed well both offensively and defensively, and has shown power potential from the left side of the plate.  His 22 career doubles are the most among the returning players on the 2019 team, while he has tallied 12 career multi-hit games and two career streaks of reaching base safely in at least 11 consecutive games.  Bruno was at his best down the stretch of the 2018 season, as he slashed .315/.381/.438 over his final 21 games.  He had six doubles and 13 RBI during that stretch, and also hit .276 while reaching base at a .354 clip in BIG EAST play.
 
One of the pleasant surprises of the 2018 season was Kim's emergence as a regular member of the starting lineup.  He made 26 starts in left field and another 10 as the designated hitter after beginning the year in a utility role and earning additional playing time.  Kim's .400 on-base percentage for the season was the highest for a Villanova freshman with over 100 plate appearances since 2008 (Dain Hall, .413), and he wound up second on the team with 26 walks while tying for the team lead in getting hit by a pitch (10) and ranking third in runs scored (21).  He hit in the leadoff spot in the lineup 32 times and is expected to once again compete for a lineup spot entering his sophomore year. 
 
Rotondo played in 28 games with 16 starts as a freshman last season.  During an eight-game stretch from March 9-25, he went 8-for-21 (.381) at the plate with a double and two runs scored.  He had 15 hits overall in 74 plate appearances while demonstrating a consistent and patient approach at the plate.  Rotondo looked good during fall ball and has seen time in all three outfield positions, versatility which should help him find his way onto the field early in the coming season. 
 
The fourth returning member of the outfield is Margulis, who is one of the team's quickest players on the base paths and in the field.  He saw action in 11 games last season, all off the bench and five times as a pinch runner.  Margulis took a step forward during fall ball, when he posted a .471 on-base percentage with three hits, three walks and five runs scored in five games. 
 
Joining the fray in 2019 is Schilling, a local product from West Chester who batted .330 over the final two seasons of his scholastic career.  He was a two-time all-league baseball performer at Unionville High School who also played on the football team. 
  
CATCHERS
 
There is no shortage of talent or potential behind the plate for the Wildcats, who return two-year starter Doug deMarrais (R-R, 6-4, 215) and sophomore Colin Bergh (R-R, 5-11, 180) while adding freshman newcomer Will Reiner (L-R, 5-8, 180). 
 
deMarrais possesses a strong and accurate throwing arm and is Villanova's all-time leader in throwing out would-be base stealers.  He has thrown out 43 runners and more than 35 percent of runners trying to steal during his Wildcats career, and has also set the team's single-season record for runners thrown out in each of the last two seasons.  deMarrais led the BIG EAST with 21 runners caught stealing in 2018, and played error-free defense (229 putouts, 44 assists) overall for the season. 
 
Since transferring to Villanova from Rutgers with three years of remaining eligibility, deMarrais has played in 79 games with 71 starts over the last two years.  He has posted a .335 on-base percentage while drawing 39 walks and getting hit by a pitch eight times in 269 plate appearances.  deMarrais led the team with a .375 on-base percentage in 2017 and should once again be a fixture in the lineup. 
 
Bergh made his collegiate debut in 2018 after redshirting his freshman campaign the year before.  He saw time in six games with one start, and will be competing to earn playing time as he starts his second year on the active roster.  Reiner is a newcomer who will be the first lefty-hitting catcher on the team in six years.  He made a strong impression during fall ball, with a .500 on-base percentage and a .556 slugging percentage which included a three-run triple that led Team Baby Blue to an 11-5 victory in Game 3 of the Intra-Squad Fall Classic.