Competition, depth increase in Thompson’s 2nd year
AUBURN | Auburn began preseason practice last Friday with a lot more depth throughout the roster and some key position battles, especially in the outfield where Butch Thompson must replace all three starters.
Senior Bo Decker, who redshirted last season, has a great chance to earn a starting job at one of the corner outfield positions. Another senior, Sam Gillikin, could also win a position after sitting out last year and redshirting.
Redshirt freshman Jeremy Johnson is a rangy centerfielder. Junior college transfers Jonah Todd and Bowen McGuffin, and senior J.J. Shaffer are also in the mix. Senior Daniel Robert could play any of the outfield positions or first base.
“The outfield, Jonah Todd with his short approach is doing really good. Bo Decker, Jeremy Johnson and Sam Gillikin, it’s really neat to get high on a lot of guys,” Thompson said. “Once we announced a starting lineup and a starting pitcher last year, we had a tough time making moves with personnel. That’s a different feeling for us as a coaching staff.
“We might have a left-hander to come in and get an at-bat here. We might have a drop-down righty to come in and get you somebody. All those things are great problems that we didn’t have last year. Our outfield is something I’m embracing right now.”
The infield is more set with junior college transfers Josh Anthony (third base), Luke Jarvis (shortstop) and Jay Estes (second base) all expected to start. First base will be manned by Robert and freshman Conor Davis. Junior college transfer Dylan Ingram can also play first base but it likely Auburn’s designated hitter this season.
At catcher, senior Blake Logan and junior college transfer Mike Rojas are expected to share the position. Senior Damon Haecker can play just about any position in the infield or outfield and freshman Will Holland will provide depth on the infield.
The pitching staff will be led by junior Keegan Thompson and sophomore Casey Mize, giving Auburn its best pair of weekend starters in years. Freshman Davis Daniel and senior Gabe Klobosits are expected to fill the third and fourth starting spots.
Auburn will have to reach deep into its bullpen for starters to open the season with six games in the first six days. Fortunately, the depth is much improved from a year ago with the addition of 11 new pitchers.
“There’s a lot of new faces,” Thompson said. “We’re still trying to get used to everybody. Everybody is trying to learn their role on the team. For the most part we’re a lot deeper than we have been in the past.”
Junior Andrew Mitchell will fill a starting position or have a key bullpen role. Senior Cole Lipscomb, sophomore Daniel Sprinkle, freshman Ryan Watson and junior college transfers Cory Herndon and Welby Malczewski are all expected to have important roles in the bullpen. Sprinkle could be the closer.
“I want them to go battle it out,” Thompson said. “We’ll close somebody. There will be also be a sixth, seven or eighth inning guy too. It’s hard to say all games are decided in the ninth when some games are decided in the sixth and seventh.
“We’re not trying to be Major League Baseball. College baseball has shown that a game can be won in the sixth inning. Whoever throws that next pitch is our No. 1 pitcher.”
Auburn hosts George Washington Feb. 17 for the start of a four-game series to open the season.