Estes finding home in OF
AUBURN | Jay Estes came to Auburn as a middle infielder out of Chipola College in Marianna, Fla., and he started a total of 40 games at second base last year.
But as the season wore on, he got more opportunities in the outfield, starting a total of 18 games in right and left field. Heading into his senior season, Estes is now projected as one of the Tigers’ starting outfielders.
“I think he's gotten more and more comfortable playing the outfield,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “He looks like a returner, a guy that's a year older, and his athleticism is really starting to play in centerfield.”
Estes was third on the team with a .276 average last season and led the team with 19 doubles. He’s been working a lot in centerfield this fall as Auburn looks for a replacement for second-team All-SEC and sixth-round MLB pick Jonah Todd.
“It's going good. I'm getting a lot more comfortable out there,” Estes said. “I think it's going to be a great thing. I'm very happy with it.”
That comfort level showed during Friday’s intra-squad game when Estes made a dynamic defensive play in center.
“Jay made a gold glove play,” Thompson said. “He robbed a triple, a near home run, on a ball that he ran a long way for in deep left-centerfield. He climbed the wall and made a catch. That's about as good as you'll see.”
Estes is also continuing to get reps at second base in case of an injury. Luke Jarvis is expected to be Auburn’s second baseman this season with Will Holland at shortstop. Freshmen middle infielders Edouard Julien and Cade Evans have also impressed this fall.
Auburn has several other options in the outfield with Jeremy Johnson and Bowen McGuffin returning, the addition of freshman Judd Ward and the possibility of Steven Williams (catcher) or Conor Davis (first base/designated hitter) playing one of the corner outfield positions. Evans could also play outfield.
“The outfield is still something we've got to continue to put guys in the right spots,” Thompson said.
Auburn will continue fall practice through Nov. 17 with intra-squad games scheduled for every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.