Tag: Hunter Morris

D1Baseball includes three Auburn players in Top 150 MLB draft college prospects rankings

These three players had great careers on the Plains. Now, it is time to take their talents to the next level.

The 2023 MLB draft is on deck, and three Auburn players will have the chance to take their talents to the next level.

Ahead of the MLB draft, which will take place July 9-11, D1Baseball has constructed a list of the top 150 college players that have the best chance to hear their names called during the draft. Among those 150, three of Auburn’s most talented players are included.

Infielders [autotag]Cole Foster[/autotag] and [autotag]Bryson Ware[/autotag] and pitcher [autotag]Joseph Gonzalez[/autotag] are all on D1Baseball’s top 150 MLB draft prospects rankings. Foster and Ware had incredible seasons for the Tigers in 2023, while Gonzalez was limited due to injury setbacks.

Foster starts the list by checking in at No. 43 in the rankings. Foster has a career average of .305 with 22 home runs and 97 RBI. The 2023 season was his best at the plate, where he was fourth on the team in average with .336, third on the team in hits with 75, and was one of three players to hit ten-or-more home runs by smashing 13. His 49 RBI were also tied for fourth-best on the team with [autotag]Cooper McMurray[/autotag].

Pitcher Joseph Gonzalez is next at No. 92. Gonzalez was expected to be the Tigers’ ace on the mound this season, but setbacks due to a nagging shoulder injury kept him away from the team for the majority of the season. He has a 10-7 record with an ERA of 4.08 in 37 appearances. His sophomore season in 2022 saw him record 54 strikeouts and allowed just 28 earned runs in 15 games, with 14 starts. This season, he pitched just one game, which was a winning decision against Indiana on Feb. 18. He tossed 5.0 innings of shutout baseball, where he allowed just one hit.

Finally, Auburn’s all-time single-season home runs leader rounds out the list at No. 105. Ware crushed 24 home runs this season, breaking [autotag]Hunter Morris[/autotag]’ previous record of 23 back in 2010. Ware also led the team RBI (63), and slugging percentage (.731). He was second in average (.350) and hits (78) behind freshman [autotag]Ike Irish[/autotag].

Foster and Gonzalez have at least one more season of eligibility remaining. So if they are not pleased with their draft selection, they have the chance to return to Auburn for one more season. Other players of note that may get the chance to turn pro are pitcher [autotag]Tommy Vail[/autotag], as well as outfielders [autotag]Justin Kirby[/autotag], [autotag]Kason Howell[/autotag], and [autotag]Bobby Peirce[/autotag].

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‘A front row seat’: Hunter Morris watches Bryson Ware break his home run record from opposing dugout

Bryson Ware became Auburn’s single-season home run leader on Thursday, doing so in front of the previous record holder.

The 2010 season was an enjoyable one for Auburn baseball fans. The Tigers won 43 games, hosted a regional for the first time since 2003, and saw one of its’ most talented sluggers break the single-season home run record.

Auburn first baseman [autotag]Hunter Morris[/autotag] hit 23 home runs during that season to grab Auburn’s single-season home run record, breaking the previous record of 22 held by [autotag]Todd Faulkner[/autotag] for ten seasons. Auburn was spoiled with power in 2010, as the Tigers collectively hit 131 home runs. [autotag]Brian Fletcher[/autotag] was right behind Morris by hitting 22 long balls, with [autotag]Trent Mummey[/autotag], [autotag]Kevin Patterson[/autotag], and [autotag]Tony Caldwell[/autotag] also smashing double-digit home runs.

On Thursday, Morris watched his record sail away as [autotag]Bryson Ware[/autotag] hit his 24th home run of the season against Alabama in the SEC Baseball Tournament to take sole possession of the record. Morris, who now serves on Alabama‘s coaching staff, never dreamed of being in the venue to see his record break.

“I definitely didn’t think I would see it from the other dugout,” Morris said in an interview with the Opelika-Auburn News, “much less have a front-row seat.”

Morris says that he has no ill feelings towards Ware for breaking his record. Actually, he acknowledges the determination it takes to accomplish such a feat and considers it an honor.

“It’s a great accomplishment,” Morris said. “I’m proud of what I did 13 years ago, and he should be very proud of himself for the work that he’s put in. It was special for me, and I hope he appreciates that side of the Auburn Family, even though I was competing against him today.”

Ware broke the record on the first pitch of the 6th inning of Auburn’s 7-4 loss to Alabama in the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met on Thursday. It traveled a distance of 403 feet, and it was his fifth home run in six games.

“It’s really cool to do it at this stadium at the SEC Tournament with a good crowd in the stands against Alabama; it makes it a little sweeter,” Ware said Thursday. “Some outstanding athletes have worn this jersey. It’s really cool to see some of that hard work pay off. I can’t be more thankful.”

Ware will have more opportunities to build on the record, as the Tigers are set to take part in the NCAA Regionals that begin next weekend.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

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Bryson Ware ties program’s single-season home run record in loss to Vanderbilt

Auburn’s win streak may have ended Wednesday night, but their SEC Tournament hopes are still very much alive.

No. 5 seed Auburn baseball suffered its’ first loss in a ten game stretch on Wednesday, as they fell to the No. 4 seed Vanderbilt, 6-4.

Auburn trailed the Commodores, 6-2, heading into the final inning. Bryson Ware smashed a two-run home run to left field in hopes of starting a rally. However, Vanderbilt retired the ensuing three batters to end Auburn’s push. The home run was Ware’s 23rd, which ties [autotag]Hunter Morris[/autotag] for the programs single-season record.

“Bryson Ware at least gave us a shot,” Auburn coach [autotag]Butch Thompson[/autotag] said Wednesday. “That was a big home run. That made it like it’s possible in the ninth. That was a big one. What an amazing year. I couldn’t be more proud for Bryson.”

The failed rally snaps Auburn’s nine-game winning streak, but their hopes for an SEC Tournament crown are still alive as they get the chance to face No. 9 seed Alabama in an elimination game on Thursday afternoon.

As luck would have it, Ware has the possibility to hit his 24th home run on Thursday with Hunter Morris, who serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide, looking on from the opposing dugout.

RELATED: Schedule, Broadcast information for the 2023 SEC Baseball Tournament in Hoover

Below, you will find everything you need to know ahead of Thursday’s action including a broadcast guide, projected starters, and players to keep an eye on.