AUBURN, Alabama–Following a wild 12-11 win over Louisiana Tech two weeks ago in the first exhibition scrimmage of the fall, the Auburn baseball Tigers will have the second of two scrimmages this Friday at 6:30 p.m. CDT when Alabama comes to Plainsman Park for a 12-inning game. It will lead into next week’s Orange-Blue World Series for the Tigers and will give Coach Butch Thompson and his staff another look at this team against another opponent.
For those wanting to attend on Friday night there is no admission and parking will be available in the Neville Arena lot as well as both the stadium and athletic complex parking decks. AU officials are encouraging fans to bring a non-perishable food item on Friday night as part of the Beat Bama Food Drive that takes place each year.
The concession stand behind home plate will be fully operational. A Chick-fil-A cart will be located behind home plate and the Ben’s Soft Pretzel truck will be located beyond the Tiger Terrace fence.
Pitching plans:
Still trying to get as many players on the mound against outside competition as possible, Auburn is expected to start sophomore RHP Chase Allsup on Friday night with junior college LHP Tanner Bauman up next followed by RHP Joseph Gonzalez and true freshman LHP Drew Nelson the fourth of the early rotation for the Tigers. All four are guys who are in the mix to be weekend starters for the Tigers in the spring.
They are expected to throw an inning each before turning things over to junior Carson Swilling and junior college transfer RHP Will Cannon in the middle innings. On the back end, Auburn is expected to again use transfer LHP Tommy Vail and RHP Chase Isbell in late relief/closer roles.
Honoring the College World Series team:
Members of the 2022 College World Series team will return to the Plains this weekend and be recognized prior to first pitch Friday and between the first and second quarter of the Auburn football game Saturday.
Coming off the program’s second trip to Omaha in the last three postseasons, the roster currently consists of 24 returners and 24 newcomers, who have been ranked as high as the No. 5 signing class in the country by Perfect Game.
Thompson’s Tigers reloading:
With a 2023 class that features some of the top players in the country in guys like Kevin McGonigle (No. 10 nationally), Colt Emerson (No. 61 nationally), Griffin Graves (No. 80 nationally), Drew Sofield (No. 122 nationally), Colton Wombles (No. 167 nationally), Cameron Tilly (No. 168 nationally) and Bjorn Johnson (No. 173 nationally) all in the Top 200 rankings on Perfect Game and five more in the Top 500, the Tigers are loading up as Thompson’s program looks to continue making trips to the College World Series to compete for a national championship.
That means huge commitments in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes for the Tigers with recruiting coordinator Karl Nonemaker doing the heavy lifting on the road along with assistant coach Gabe Gross. A big part of things has been director of player development, former Tennessee pitcher Aaron Everett, who has done a good job since coming in from Southern Union.
Here’s a look at Auburn’s current commitments in the 2024-26 classes:
2024 commitments
Jackson Sanders, 6-3, 185, LHP, Valley (Alabama)–Ranked No. 13 nationally
Anthony Tralongo, 6-0, 190, INF, American Heritage, Wellington (Florida)–Ranked No. 46 nationally
Tanner Waldrop, 6-1, 195, INF, Auburn (Alabama)–Ranked No. 53 nationally
Chris Rembert, 5-11, 190, SS, Catholic, Pensacola (Florida)–Ranked No. 93 nationally
Christian Chatterton, 6-0, 190, RHP, Brooks High, Killen (Alabama)–Ranked No. 98 nationally
Taft Middleton, 6-2, 208, LHP, IMG Academy–Ranked No. 163 nationally
Chase Fralick, 6-2, 190, Catcher, Peachtree City (Georgia)–Ranked No. 293 nationally
Eli Driskell, 6-1, 200, RHP, Faith Academy, Mobile–Ranked No. 375 nationally
Luke Davenport, 6-3, 185, RHP, James Clemens High, Madison (Alabama)
Hank Eaton, 6-2, 185, RHP, Corinth (Mississippi)
Brandon McCraine, 6-3, 185, 3B, Glenwood (Smiths Station)
Saxon Roberts, 6-3, 190, RHP, Franklin (Tennessee)
Mark Rutherford, 5-10, 195, Catcher, Mason (Ohio)
Jack Sanderson, 6-5, 215, LHP, Northridge, Tuscaloosa
Owen Yarussi, 6-0, 190, LHP, Cranberry Township (Pennsylvania)
2025 commitments
Fleming Hall, 6-0, 190, RHP, Trinity Presbyterian, Montgomery–Ranked No. 62 nationally
Wade Shelley, 6-0, 185, OF, Houston Academy, Dothan–Ranked No. 133 nationally
Caiden Combs, 6-4, 255, 1B, Gardendale
LJ Cormier, 6-1, 155, SS, Sipsey Valley
2026 commitments
Nicholas Bradley, 6-1, 175, RHP, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania–Ranked No. 14 nationally
John Stowers, 5-11, 195, C, St. Paul’s, Mobile–Ranked No. 35 nationally
Matthew Kerrigan, 6-0, 150, OF, Valdosta (Georgia)–Ranked No. 95 nationally
Wyatt Shelley, 6-3, 230, 1B, Houston Academy, Dothan–Ranked No. 140 nationally
Coleman Borthwick, 6-6, 225, 3B, Freeport (Florida)–Ranked No. 141 nationally
Brayden Dockery, 6-3, 185, RHP, Helena, Alabama–Ranked No. 231 nationally
Tate Johnson, 5-11, 160, SS, St. Paul’s, Mobile
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News Summary:
- Taking on the Tide, baseball recruiting on a roll
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