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Freshman pitcher 'has a real skill set'

AUBURN | Auburn’s pitching staff looks much improved through the first couple of weeks of fall practice and a big reason for that is the addition of Davis Daniel.

The true freshman has started both Sunday scrimmages and is making a case to be one of the Tigers’ weekend starters.

“He has a real skill set,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “That's why we didn't know until the last minute for him getting here. He had so much interest from professional baseball. You can just see the skill set. His first time he hit every spot and was just so impressive.

“He was challenged a little bit the second outing. That's part of it. You want to see how they're going to act with a little adversity. It wasn't his best outing but just how he carried himself makes you feel like he can limit an inning and not create the big inning.”

Daniel, 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, called that second outing a good learning experience.

Daniel could be a part of Auburn's weekend rotation this season.
Daniel could be a part of Auburn's weekend rotation this season. (Bryan Matthews/AuburnSports.com)

“I kind of lost my fastball. It was all over the place for two innings,” Daniel said. “The third inning I kind of settled down and started to find it. I think it was a good test. I've had a lot of success early so it's nice to have a setback to learn from.”

Daniel, who was a chosen in the 34th round by the Chicago Cubs out of St. James High School in Montgomery, Ala., is one of the top newcomers in a 2016 class that was ranked No. 5 nationally by Collegiate Baseball.

He was 11-1 as a senior at St. James with a 0.70 ERA. He struck out 137 batters and issued 15 walks in 70 innings. The Alabama Sports Writers Association All-Class 4A Pitcher of the Year threw three no-hitters.

“I've faced Davis once and I believe I've caught him once so I've seen both sides. I like catching him rather than facing him,” senior Blake Logan said. “He's got really good delivery. The ball seems to jump out of his hand. For a young guy, he's done really well.”

Daniel features a fastball that he can consistently throw in the low 90s along with a slider and a changeup.

“I feel like I can command all three of them,” Daniel said. “It's been a lot of fun being out here with a bunch of guys with a lot of talent, more talent than I've ever been around. It's a lot of fun having a really strong defense behind you and knowing that you can just throw strikes and get outs.”

He’s excited about the possibility of being a part of the weekend rotation, which should also include junior Keegan Thompson and sophomore Casey Mize.

“That would be awesome if that's what Coach wants me to do,” Daniel said. “It would be amazing pitching on the road in SEC games. Pitching here on Sundays would be unbelievable.

“I just want to come out and win ballgames in whatever role Coach wants me to play. Throw strikes and get outs and help us get a bunch of wins this year.”

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