Auburn Baseball: The Longwood Series Preview

Auburn Baseball returns to the diamond this weekend to take on Longwood. The Tigers are looking to capitalize on last season’s NCAA Regional bid with key returners in Casey Mize, Dylan Ingram, and Jay Estes.

There are many things to be excited about if you are an Auburn fanatic… Bruce Pearl has men’s basketball ranked in the top-10, has consistently sold out Auburn Arena, and, most recently, handed Kentucky their fourth-straight loss. Tiger Softball has gotten off to a great start under new Head Coach Mickey Dean, beginning the season 7-0 and only allowing opponents to score one run in that span.

If the success of in-season sports has lightened your mood recently, expect Auburn Baseball to add fuel to that fire.

Butch Thompson begins his third season as the leader of Auburn Baseball on Friday, when his team hosts Longwood University for a three-game series beginning at 5 P.M. at Plainsman Park. Many believe that Tiger baseball is ahead of schedule after winning 7-of-10 SEC series last season, doing so with a stellar weekend pitching staff consisting of Keegan Thompson and Casey Mize.

Mize returns to the weekend rotation, as does a majority of last season’s offensive production. Here is a look at this weekend’s potential lineup:

Mize moves into role as Friday ace after Thompson’s departure

Weekend Rotation: Casey Mize, Davis Daniel, TBA

Mize needs very little introduction. The junior earned All-America honors last season after finishing 8-2, with an ERA of 2.04, striking out 109 batters to nine walks in 12 starts. Many watchful eyes are already paying attention to Mize, as he has been listed as the #2 top junior prospect by Baseball America behind Florida pitcher Brady Singer. He will be on the hill Friday.

Sophomore Davis Daniel gets the nod for Saturday’s tilt. Daniel returns as Auburn’s leading starter from a year ago, striking out 61 and walking 26 in 16 starts. As last season’s primary Sunday starter, Daniel will begin 2018 as the all-important Saturday guy.

Sunday’s starter has yet to be named. Could this be the first opportunity for Auburn fans to watch Tanner Burns?

Majority of 2017 Offensive Production returns to Auburn Infield

Catcher: Brett Wright

This position is one to keep your eyes on. After many seasons of watching Blake Logan and Damon Haecker behind the plate, attention for this series turns to junior college transfer, Brett Wright. Last season at San Jacinto, Wright recorded a .272 batting average with four home runs and 25 RBI.

Another player to watch for, is Stephen Williams. Williams, alongside freshman pitcher Tanner Burns, has been named to the top Freshman prospect watch list by Baseball America.

First Base: Dylan Ingram

Power returns to the Auburn lineup in the form of Dylan Ingram. The transfer from Shelton State Community College led the Tigers with 8 home runs in 2017, which was a bright spot on a rather disappointing season for the long ball. Ingram and Josh Anthony return as top run-producers with 39 RBI one year ago.

Second Base: Luke Jarvis

Two pieces of good news..

1. Luke Jarvis is healthy. Jarvis played sparingly at the end of last season after suffering back spasms.

2. Graduation has created more room in the field for both Will Holland and Jay Estes to play alongside Jarvis.

Jarvis is expected to start at 2nd base for the season-opening series against Longwood. The San Diego native recorded a .935 fielding percentage in 48 games, and added five home runs and 27 RBI to Auburn’s total.

Third Base: Josh Anthony

Local product Josh Anthony returns to play third base for Auburn this season. After hitting 25 home runs as a sophomore at Western Oklahoma in 2016, Anthony only hit two long balls in 2017. While that is considered to be disappointing, Anthony provided great numbers at the plate. The senior is second on the team behind Jay Estes among returners in hits (62), and doubles (14), and tied with Dylan Ingram with RBI (39).

Shortstop: Will Holland

This rising sophomore came onto the scene last season during the SEC-opening series against College World Series champion Florida. In that series, Holland hit a two-run bomb in Friday’s series-opener, and was a key contributor to Auburn’s walk-off win over the Gators during Sunday’s game by laying down a bunt to add runners to the base paths, sealing the sweep. He later became the starter for shortstop, filling in for Luke Jarvis while he battled injury. Holland was 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts, and had 18 RBI last season.

Two returning starters take on new roles in Auburn outfield, with highly-touted freshman joining mix

Left Field: Conor Davis

Davis, best known for hitting the walk-off, three-run home run over South Carolina to secure the series win on April 2nd, will get some time in the field to start the season. Davis served as Auburn’s primary designated hitter last season, with starts at first base. The walk-off was Davis’ only home run last season, but he did send 29 runs across.

Center Field: Jay Estes

If there is someone on Auburn’s squad that could replace a player like Jonah Todd, it is Jay Estes. Todd started in all but one game during the regular season in center field, and was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 6th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, 175th overall. Todd recorded 91 hits, 13 doubles, 5 triples, and 37 RBI, primarily from the lead-off role.

Estes brings similar offensive numbers to the table. While his hit total was nowhere close to Todd’s, Estes returns as the team’s leader in hits (64), and doubles (19). Among returners, Estes is tied with Conor Davis in RBI (29) for second on the team. Estes had a great fall, which ultimately led to him getting a start. Estes had starts at both 2nd base and right field last season.

Right Field: Edouard Julien

Julien is expected to get the start in right field this weekend, which will be the first for the freshman from Quebec. Julien is a switch-hitter, which brings flair to the lineup. Although we do not know much about Julien at this point, he has left an impression on first baseman, Dylan Ingram.

“I’m really impressed,” Ingram said of Julien and catcher Stephen Williams during a recent media availability. “I started my freshman year at Mississippi State with Coach Thompson, and I was not nearly as advanced of a baseball player as they are.”

Designated Hitter: Brendan Venter

With Conor Davis moving to an on-field role, that leaves the designated hitter spot open. Venter looks to fill that hole this weekend. A transfer from McLennin Community College in Texas, the same college that Auburn Quarterback Jarrett Stidham made a quick stop at, hit 15 home runs and sent 69 players across the plate last season.

Butch Thompson will begin the season with new-look staff after Brad Bohannon takes Alabama job; Doug Sisson leaves for White Sox

Another item of note, is the change in coaching staff. Coach Butch Thompson has added three new  assistant coaches this season, including Auburn legend Gabe Gross.

Gross is joined by Karl Nonemaker as assistant coaches, while Steve Smith has been added as the volunteer assistant.

Auburn begins the 2018 campaign with a weekend series against Longwood. Friday’s game begins at 5 P.M., with Saturday and Sunday’s first pitches coming at 1 P.M.