Thompson, Mize anchor improved pitching staff

AUBURN | Auburn’s starting pitching should be one of the team’s most improved areas in 2017 and a big part of that will be Casey Mize.

The sophomore right-hander returns after posting a 2-5 record as a freshman and leading the team with a 3.52 ERA and 59 strikeouts.

He’ll be joined by junior right-hander Keegan Thompson, who was 12-6 with a 2.49 ERA his first two seasons at Auburn before sitting out last year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Thompson will start Friday’s opener against George Washington and Mize game one of Saturday’s doubleheader. The pair should give the Tigers their best 1-2 punch on the mound in quite a while.

“I think starting pitching is what everybody expects us to be good at so there is a pressure that comes with that,” Mize said. “I believe in pressure to an extent but if you're prepared enough then you're confident. I think we are held to a standard and we're going to be held to a standard all season long because of the talent level we have.”

Mize probably has the best stuff on the team with a fastball that can reach the mid 90s and a hard-breaking slider he’s worked to throw more consistently this season.

“Electric is the word I use with Casey Mize,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “I feel like he's just continued to get better. A young, prideful, great arm that knows he can strike you out when he gets on a roll, especially with his slider.”

Mize couldn’t have a better veteran pitcher to learn from than Keegan Thompson.

“Keegan is a different animal, everybody knows that,” Mize said. “I respect what Keegan does every day and I respect what he’s done in the past. There’s just something about him that makes you want to learn from him.

“Hopefully I can do that for somebody one day. I’m just soaking in everything I can because he’s very knowledgeable about the game when it comes to pitch-calling and reading hitters and stuff like that.”

The third weekend starter will be either junior right-hander Gabe Klobosits or freshman right-hander Davis Daniel. Klobosits was ahead at the end of preseason practice and will start game two of Saturday’s doubleheader. Daniel will start Sunday.

With games on Tuesday and Wednesday, Auburn will open the season with six games in six days. The mid-week starters will likely be junior left-hander Andrew Mitchell and freshman right-hander Ryan Watson.

Thompson doesn’t plan to designate a closer in his bullpen but does have more arms to work with than a year ago. Key bullpen pitchers should include senior right-hander Cole Lipscomb, senior right-hander Daniel Robert, who will start at first base, junior right-hander Cory Herndon and sophomore right-hander Daniel Sprinkle.

Mitchell and/or Watson may also work out of the bullpen.

“We’re going to pretty much see our entire roster,” said Butch Thompson of the opening six days. “The pitch that defines success for a particular ballgame doesn't always happen in the ninth. It could happen in the sixth inning. I think we're looking more for who can give us a great 3-6 outs.”

First pitch at Plainsman Park Friday is set for 2 p.m. CT. The two teams will play twice Saturday starting at 11 a.m. and Sunday at noon. The Tigers host Jacksonville State Tuesday and Florida A&M Wednesday.

All six games will be available for streaming on SECN+ and WatchESPN.