Freshman off to hot start

AUBURN | Auburn’s highly-rated 2017 class has already begun to impress during the first two weeks of fall practice.

Third-year coach Butch Thompson singled out one of his newcomers as a top sluggers during intra-squad games.

“Steven Williams, a freshman, is the first one that comes to mind,” Thompson said. “He just had a couple of unbelievable, very mature bats (Thursday). He had a two-strike triple and he wound up hitting a home run later in the ball game. He just looks advanced and has really hit the ball well — not only putting the ball in play, but hitting for power early.”

Williams was one of the nation’s highest-rated catchers coming out of Deerfield-Windsor in Albany, Ga., after hitting .493 with seven home runs as a senior. He’s also getting work in the outfield this fall.

“We're still 119 days from the season and things can change all the time, but we want to get him ready in multiple positions because if his bat continues to be a sincere threat in the lineup, we've got to find a place for him,” Thompson said.

“That's what the fall's for, to make sure you're looking at everybody at every position. Just every combination we think we might need someone to go defensively, now is the time to look at that. January will be the time to start pinpointing and narrowing in for the season.”

Another newcomer that has caught Thompson’s eye is catcher Brett Wright, who was a late addition out of San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas. Auburn must replace its top two catchers from a year ago — Blake Logan and Damon Haecker.

“Brett's done great," Thompson said. “We got somebody that can really catch, handle a game, throw, competitive with the at-bat. He's been an all-around solid player for us at catcher.”

Another junior college transfer, Brendan Venter, has impressed working at both third and first base.

“Brendan Venter is a natural-born leader,” Thompson said. “Whether he plays third base or first base, he just brings presence to us. We think his bat has something to offer too.”

A number of freshmen have impressed early including pitchers Tanner Burns, Cody Greenhill and Ryan Hoerter, infielders Cade Evans and Edouard Julien, and outfielder Judd Ward. Evans can also play in the outfield.

Burns and Greenhill have both gotten opportunities at first base and designated hitter but are expected to concentrate on pitching the remainder of fall.

“They're very competitive and I think they're going to be very good,” said senior outfielder Jay Estes of Burns and Greenhill.

Auburn will hold intra-squad games on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week. They’re in the afternoon and open to the public.