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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Chase Isbell signs deal with Kansas City Royals

Isbell was the lone pitcher from Auburn’s bullpen to be selected in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Three Auburn players, [autotag]Cole Foster[/autotag], [autotag]Bryson Ware[/autotag] and [autotag]Chase Isbell[/autotag], heard their names called in the MLB Draft. One player, [autotag]Nate LaRue[/autotag] was picked up as a free agent.

Additionally, five players who were signed with the Tigers were drafted.

The Royals selected Isbell in the 15th round with the 439th overall pick. Isbell received a signing bonus worth $150,000. Greg Walker of Royals Review believes that Isbell’s command will allow him to find a place in a professional bullpen.

At 6’3”, 210, Isbell served as a power righty out of the Auburn bullpen and frequently worked multiple innings. He has a fastball at 93-96 that he’ll throw at the top of the zone. He pairs that with a tight, late-breaking slider at 86-88. The slider is a true out pitch so with better overall command, Isbell could find a role in a major league bullpen.

In two seasons with the Tigers, Isbell posted a 5.54 ERA, a 4-2 record, two saves and 65 strikeouts to 31 walks in 52 innings of work.

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Bryson Ware signs contract with Philadelphia Phillies

Ware is on the move to professional baseball after hitting a school-record 24 home runs in 2023.

Auburn baseball’s single-season home run leader is moving to professional baseball.

Infielder Bryson Ware was taken with the No. 253 selection of the MLB draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies signed their 10th-round pick to a deal valued at $187,100 which includes a $152,500 signing bonus.

A blog titled Phillies Minor Thoughts says that Ware has intrigue as a prospect, and could be viewed as more than just an organization filler.

Ware struggled his first two years at Auburn after transferring from junior college, but broke out in a big way in 2023. He hit .350/.438/.731 with 24 home runs as a senior. He primarily played third base this season and has played around the diamond. According to Baseball America he posted some top end exit velocities to go with the home run power. The Phillies have not been afraid drafting college players coming off of big years with big exit velocity numbers.

In three seasons with the Tigers, Ware hit .297, scored 125 runs, recorded 135 hits, hit 31 home runs, posted 110 RBI, and stole 14 bases.

Two members of the Auburn baseball team joined Ware in being drafted, [autotag]Cole Foster[/autotag] and [autotag]Chase Isbell[/autotag]. One, [autotag]Nate LaRue[/autotag], signed a free-agent deal after.

Five players signed to the Auburn baseball program were also signed.

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Cole Foster signs contract with San Francisco Giants

Foster will make the move to the Giants organization after agreeing to a deal earlier this week.

Three members of the Auburn baseball team heard their name called and one more was signed through free agency. Additionally, five players who were signed to the Auburn program were drafted.

Infielder [autotag]Cole Foster[/autotag] was selected by the San Francisco Giants with the 85th overall pick in the third round.

The Giants signed the Auburn shortstop to a deal with a $820,900 pick value and a $747,500 signing bonus. Foster could make a move to a full-season league quickly says Melissa Lockard of The Athletic.

A well-rounded player, Foster doesn’t have one standout tool but he’s a good athlete who has power potential from both sides of the plate and enough defensive chops that he will be able to contribute at a few positions in the infield. Holmes noted on Monday that Foster was relatively new to switch-hitting in high school, but that he had grown more comfortable swinging from both sides of the plate over the past three years. Foster has Power 5 conference experience and should be able to jump into a full-season league quickly.

In three seasons with the program, Foster hit .305, scored 102 runs, recorded 128 hits, hit 22 home runs, posted 97 RBI, and stole seven bases.

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MLB All-Star break: A look at Josh Palacios’ first half numbers

The final “first half look” highlights Josh Palacios, who is having the best season of his professional career in Pittsburgh.

Major League Baseball returns to action following a four-day break on Friday. Leading up to the conclusion of the MLB All-Star break, Auburn Wire has taken a look at how each active former Tiger has performed during the first half of the 2023 season.

Next up is Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder [autotag]Josh Palacios[/autotag].

Palacios played just one season for Auburn, transferring to the Plains after spending time at San Jacinto College. In 2016, Palacios hit .385 with 55 hits, five home runs, and 23 RBI in 34 games. He fielded at a .957 clip and committed just three errors.

He would go on to be drafted No. 132 overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016, and he would make his debut with the franchise in 2021. Outside of playing for the Blue Jays, Palacios spent the 2022 season with the Washington Nationals before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates ahead of the 2023 season.

Palacios has gotten comfortable in Pittsburgh, as he has already smashed several personal records in just 39 games.

Here’s a look at Palacios’ first half numbers with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

MLB All-Star break: A look at Edouard Julien’s first-half numbers

Julien made his Major League debut earlier this season.

As the first half of the Major League Baseball season comes to a close, Auburn Wire will check in with several former Tigers who are currently on active MLB rosters.

Up next is rookie second baseman [autotag]Edouard Julien[/autotag], who made his debut for the Minnesota Twins in April.

Julien has played in 43 of the Twins’ 91 games this season.

He has spent some time down in the minors this season as well.

Here is a look at Julien’s first-half numbers:

 

MLB All-Star break: A look at Garrett Cooper’s first half numbers

He had a slow start to the season but has gotten better each month and looks poised for a big second-half of the season.

As the first half of the Major League Baseball season comes to a close, Auburn Wire will check in with several former Tigers who are currently on active MLB rosters.

Up next is veteran first baseman [autotag]Garrett Cooper[/autotag], who is enjoying his sixth season with the Miami Marlins.

Cooper made his first All-Star team last year but was unable to repeat the performance after a slow start to the season.

He was also forced to miss 11 games during May due to an inner ear infection but has been much better since returning. Improving his production each month and hitting .351 in the last 15 games before the All-Star break. He has also belted 12 home runs, the second most on the Marlins.

Here’s a look at Cooper’s first-half numbers.

Phillies pick up Bryson Ware with the No. 253 pick

Auburn’s single-season home runs leader was selected in the eighth round during Monday’s draft action.

[autotag]Bryson Ware[/autotag] was the second Tiger to hear his name called in the 2023 MLB Draft when the Philadelphia Phillies selected the infielder in the eighth round with the No. 253rd overall pick.

2023 was Ware’s best season on the Plains as he hit .350 with 78 hits, 24 home runs, 63 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .731. The 24 homers set a single-season program record.

Ware was named a semifinalist for the NCBWA Dick Howser Trophy and to the Golden Spikes Award midseason watch list. He also went on an 18-game hit streak which was the longest by an Auburn player since 2016.

Auburn players have been busy since the MLB draft began on Sunday night. Two of Auburn’s top signees, Kevin McGonigal and Colt Emerson, were selected in the first round by the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners respectively. Fellow infielder Cole Foster was taken in the third round by the San Francisco Giants, and Auburn transfer commit Sam Mongelli was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 10th round.

Ware will begin his journey through the ranks of the Phillies organization soon.

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