Notre Dame has wasted little time addressing its roster needs in the Transfer Portal, adding impact pieces across the board this week.
Perhaps the biggest addition came Saturday afternoon when Xavier graduate transfer Connor Misch committed to the Fighting Irish. Assistant coach Ryan Munger led the recruiting effort, helping Notre Dame land one of the top first basemen in the portal.
The commitment fills a major need for the Irish, who were looking for a replacement at first base after Dylan Passo entered the Transfer Portal earlier this week.
Misch arrives in South Bend with an impressive resume.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Indiana native was named the Big East Preseason Player of the Year entering the 2026 season, but an injury prevented him from playing during his final year at Xavier.
Misch does have the injury fully behind him, and Notre Dame hopes it's getting the player who took the field in 2025. That season, Misch hit .332 with four home runs, 50 RBI, 11 doubles and 19 multi-hit games. He earned First-Team All-Big East honors after dominating conference play, where he posted an incredible .448 batting average.
Misch also collected Second-Team All-Big East recognition in 2024, giving him back-to-back all-conference seasons.
Over three seasons at Xavier, Misch appeared in 134 games with 106 starts, compiling a .298 batting average with 13 home runs, 86 RBI, 24 doubles and 78 runs scored. His experience, defensive versatility and offensive production should make him an immediate contributor for Shawn Stiffler’s club.
Before his collegiate career, Misch began his high school career at Andrean, helping the program capture a state championship in 2019 before transferring to Lake Central.
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