Category: Auburn in MLB

Chase Allsup selected by Orioles in MLB Draft

Allsup is the first Auburn Tiger off the board in the 2024 MLB draft.

Former Auburn right-hander [autotag]Chase Allsup[/autotag] was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the fourth round of the 2024 MLB Draft on Monday afternoon. The three-year Tiger pitcher joins the Orioles after posting a 6-5 record and 5.11 earned run average over 56 career games on the Plains.

Although Allsup was never quite able to capture dominance on the mound over his collegiate career, the Dothan, Alabama native continuously flashed an above-average, high-velocity fastball, and devastating slider that helped him accumulate a 10.1 SO/9 during his time as a Tiger.

While Baltimore’s major league rotation is fairly set with American League All-Star starter Corbin Burnes leading the pack, Allsup’s live arm could allow him to rise quickly up the minor league ladder as a bullpen arm. If the former Tiger is able to develop other offerings on the mound he could challenge for a spot at the back end of the Orioles rotation as soon as 2025.

Allsup is the sixth Tiger over the last six seasons to be drafted within the first five rounds of the MLB draft. He joins [autotag]Sonny DiChiara[/autotag], [autotag]Trace Bright[/autotag], [autotag]Mason Barnett[/autotag], [autotag]Blake Burkhalter[/autotag] (2022), and [autotag]Cole Foster[/autotag] (2023). The slot value at No. 127 overall is $562,000.

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The best images from Bailey Horn’s first week of MLB action

The former Auburn LHP boasts a 2.45 ERA through two appearances for the Boston Red Sox.

Former Auburn Tiger southpaw [autotag]Bailey Horn[/autotag] finally got his chance to pitch for a big league club at the end of June when the Boston Red Sox called him up from AAA.

The 2020 5th-round draft pick had spent the entirety of his professional baseball career across the minor leagues, pitching for clubs in the Chicago White Sox, Cubs, and Red Sox organizations before getting the call to the bigs just over a week ago.

Since then, the 6-2 left-hander has been nothing short of a revelation for a Red Sox team in need of bullpen help. In three games, Horn has pitched to a 2.45 earned run average over 7 1/3 innings pitched. The only 2 runs the Waco, Texas native has allowed to this point came in his debut on June 29 against the San Diego Padres. Since then, Horn has mowed down opposing hitters, throwing 4 2/3 innings of scoreless ball. Most notably, Horne stymied a prestigious Yankees lineup his last time out on the bump, throwing 2 2/3 innings of shut out ball and striking out three batters.

The 26-year-old’s effectiveness has helped Boston hang on to the final American League Wild Card playoff spot as the All Star break approaches. Here are some of the best photos from the former Tigers first week-plus in the big leagues.

Texas Rangers call up former Auburn utility man Daniel Robert

Robert, who now pitches in the Texas Rangers organization, is set to make his major league debut Monday night.

Former Auburn baseball utility man [autotag]Daniel Robert[/autotag] began transitioning to a full-time pitcher after being selected in the 21st round of the 2017 MLB draft. On Monday, the hard work will pay off as he will make his major league debut as a relief pitcher.

Robert’s contract was selected by the Texas Rangers on Monday after the Rangers designated LHP Antoine Kelly for assignment, and sent RHP Grant Anderson down to AAA-affiliate Round Rock.

Ahead of his MLB debut, Robert tossed 30 innings for Round Rock this season, striking out 40 batters and walking just seven while boasting a 2.35 ERA and a 3-1 record. In five minor league seasons, Robert has built 171 1/3 innings of work on the mound with 231 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.52.

While at Auburn, Robert hit .290 as a senior in 2017 with a team-leading 41 RBI. He pitched in just eight games during his sophomore and junior seasons at Auburn.

Robert will wear No. 57 for the Rangers, and will start off in the Rangers bullpen ahead of its series with the Los Angeles Angels.

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Gunnar Henderson set to particpate in Home Run Derby

The former Auburn signee has crushed 26 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles.

Major League Baseball has reached the halfway point of its 162-game season, meaning the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas is just around the corner.

One of the most exciting events of All-Star week is the Home Run Derby and one player with Auburn connections has revealed that he will participate in this season’s competition.

[autotag]Gunnar Henderson[/autotag], a member of Auburn baseball’s 2019 signing class and 2023 American League Rookie of the Year from the Baltimore Orioles, shared during ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball broadcast that he will take part in this year’s event that will take place on Monday, July 15 at 7 p.m. CT at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, home of the defending World Series Champion Texas Rangers.

Henderson is following up his 2023 rookie of the year campaign by enjoying a stellar sophomore season in “the show.” Through 83 games, Henderson is batting .288 with 26 home runs, 58 RBI, and a major league-leading 73 runs scored. He is two home runs and 24 RBI shy of matching his 2023 total with 78 games remaining in the regular season.

Although he never played for Auburn, the Selma native is representing Auburn and the state of Alabama well in Major League Baseball. Henderson is an avid Auburn fan and recently picked Auburn to win the college basketball national championship in his March Madness bracket.

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Former Auburn baseball player Ryan Bliss makes MLB debut

Bliss went 0-for-2 in his MLB debut Monday night for the Seattle Mariners.

Auburn athletics has formed a history of sending its players to the professional leagues across all sports. Many have made big impacts, but it all starts with a player’s first appearance as a rookie.

That dream of playing in the pros became true when former Tiger infielder [autotag]Ryan Bliss[/autotag] made his debut in the MLB for the Seattle Mariners on Monday night.

Bliss enters “The Show” after spending the last three seasons at the minor league level, most recently for the Tacoma Rainiers at triple-A.

The former Auburn star went 0-for-2 on the night and walked once. He was also stranded in scoring position later in the inning after he walked.

Bliss earned many honors in his final season on the Plains. He earned Second Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team in 2021 amongst many other honors that he accumulated. He posted a .328 batting average with 20 home runs and 99 RBIs while with the Tigers. He started every single game he appeared in, as well.

He was notably on the roster when Auburn made the College World Series in 2019, when the Tigers won the Atlanta Regional and Chapel Hill Super Regional.

The Seattle Mariners continue their series with the Houston Astros over the next three days, where Bliss will be expected to see some playing time.

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Former Auburn infielder scheduled to make Major League debut on Monday

Ryan Bliss is scheduled to earn his first start at second base for the Seattle Mariners.

After spending just over three seasons in the minor leagues, former Auburn infielder [autotag]Ryan Bliss[/autotag] is set to make his Major League debut on Monday for the Seattle Mariners. Bliss will make his first big league start at second base for the Mariners game against the Houston Astros at 8:40 p.m. CT at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington.

Bliss gets the call following the Mariners move of Jorge Polanco to the 10-day injured list after sustaining a strained hamstring. In 50 games at AAA Tacoma, Bliss recorded 45 hits in 182 at-bats with seven home runs, 35 RBI, and 28 stolen bases.

Despite being drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2021 MLB draft, Bliss will make his debut with the Mariners after being involved in a trade last July that sent relief pitcher Paul Sewald to Arizona in exchange for Bliss, Dominic Canzone, and Josh Rojas.

With the call up, Bliss becomes Auburn’s 59th player to reach the Major Leagues, and the first since [autotag]Edouard Julien[/autotag]’s debut with the Minnesota Twins on April 12, 2023. He started in all 134 games that he appeared in during his three-year Auburn career from 2019-21. He earned two All-America honors.

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Casey Mize earns first win since 2021 season on Sunday

The former Auburn ace tossed six scoreless innings in Detroit’s 6-1 victory over Minnesota on Sunday.

Since making his Major League debut in September 2020, former Auburn pitcher and No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 MLB draft [autotag]Casey Mize[/autotag] has experienced his share of injury setbacks.

However, it seems as if Mize is starting to get back into the groove of pitching against the top talent in the world. On Sunday, Mize tossed six shutout innings while allowing five hits and striking out four batters in Detroit’s 6-1 win over Minnesota. Mize earned the win, his first since 2021.

Mize missed nearly two full years of action due to Tommy John and back surgeries and is off to a great start in 2024. In four starts, Mize has struck out 16 batters while walking just six and allowing seven earned runs in 21.1 innings while maintaining a 2.95 ERA. His six-inning performance on Sunday matched his season-high.

“Pitcher wins are here or there, but it feels good. It’s been a long time, but the bigger thing is the series win and the team win. I think we’re all happy about that. Good day for us,” Mize said postgame. “I always want the guys to think that we can win when I pitch. I think that’s the goal of every starter. I’m glad I’ve been able to keep us in it, but the team scoring early really allowed me to have confidence in them and try to shove the ball in the strike zone. I always want us to win my starts.”

Mize’s four starts this season is the most since 2021 when he logged 30 starts for the Detroit Tigers in his official rookie season. That season, he finished with a 7-9 record, recording 118 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.71. Mize is in line to pitch again Saturday against the Kansas City Royals.

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Allsup, Gonzalez listed among top MLB draft prospects by D1Baseball

Expectations will be sky-high this season for Auburn pitchers Chase Allsup and Joseph Gonzalez.

Auburn baseball is set on another trip to Omaha this year and will rely on solid pitching to fuel its quest.

[autotag]Joseph Gonzalez[/autotag] and [autotag]Chase Allsup[/autotag] are expected to anchor the Tigers’ weekend rotation and hope to celebrate another successful season by being selected in the 2024 MLB draft. D1Baseball projects both players to go high in this summer’s draft, as they have included them in their updated Top 200 D1 College Prospects rankings. Gonzalez sits at No. 163 while Allsup checks in at No. 179.

Allsup saw his role change as a sophomore in 2023, going from a solid relief option to a weekend starter. In 20 appearances last season, Allsup struck out 49 batters while issuing 33 walks in 49.1 innings of work. He earned the starting nod in eight games last season, with his longest outing coming against Missouri on April 19, where he struck out seven batters and allowed three hits of shutout baseball over 7.0 innings.

As for Gonzalez, he hopes to make a comeback after missing most of last season due to a nagging shoulder injury. He made one start last season, a winning effort over Indiana on opening day. He tossed 5.0 innings of two-hit baseball while keeping the Hoosiers off the board. He boasts a career ERA of 4.08 with 85 strikeouts and 25 walks issued in 37 total appearances.

The Tigers open the season Friday at Plainsman Park against Eastern Kentucky. First pitch of the season opener is set for 6 p.m. CT.

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Ryan Bliss involved in trade to Seattle Mariners

The former Tiger was involved in a trade that sent RHP Paul Seward to Arizona.

As the Major League Baseball trade deadline comes to a close, one former Tiger is on the move.

[autotag]Ryan Bliss[/autotag], who played shortstop for Auburn from 2019-21, is involved in a late trade between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners. Bliss, along with Dominic Canzone and Josh Rojas, are heading to Seattle in exchange for RHP Paul Sewald. The move was made Monday.

Bliss recently advanced to Triple-A with the Diamondbacks organization following a stellar season with Double-A Amarillo. Rotowire breaks down what Bliss brings to the Mariners organization.

Bliss used good fortune (.408 BABIP) and a very favorable home park to slash .358/.414/.594 with 12 home runs and 30 steals for Double-A Amarillo, but he has struggled in 13 games since getting promoted to Triple-A. Given that Bliss is already 23 and was a below league average hitter at Single-A (99 wRC+) and High-A (82 wRC+), his run at Double-A looks like a clear outlier, but he has a chance to be a good defensive second baseman or a passable defensive shortstop, so he should at least have a big-league career as a bench infielder.

In his minor league career, Bliss has hit .267 with 29 home runs and 112 RBI.

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Former Auburn pitcher Grant Dayton retires from baseball

Dayton saw Major League action with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves over his five-year career.

Former Auburn pitcher [autotag]Grant Dayton [/autotag] has announced his retirement from professional baseball after a career that spanned 12 years.

The Huntsville, Alabama native played five seasons at the Major League level. He was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2016-2017 and of the Atlanta Braves from 2019-2021. The left-hander’s career ERA is 3.43 with 119 strikeouts to 39 walks in 102.1 innings of work.

His best season came in his rookie campaign when he struck out 39 batters in 26.1 innings for the Dodgers in 2016. He saw the highest number of innings in 2020 when he tossed 27.1 innings for the Braves.

Dayton played for Auburn from 2008-2010 and recorded a 4.66 ERA with 217 strikeouts to 49 walks in 249 innings of action. He struck out 79 batters during his freshman season in 2008 and would strike out 69 batters in his sophomore and junior seasons.

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