Tag: Auburn in the MLB

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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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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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.