Checking in on the portal for Auburn baseball

[aubiefifty 18,114]

 

247sports.com

 

From The Dugout Checking in on the portal for Auburn baseball

Jason Caldwell

20–25 minutes

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A look at where Auburn baseball stands with the transfer portal at the moment.

It has been a wild couple of weeks already for Butch Thompson and his staff with the transfer portal open and overflowing with players from all over the country. That has meant working the phones along with trips to the Cape Cod League, California, and everywhere in between as Auburn looks to build a strong roster for the 2025 season. With that in mind, we take a look at the comings and goings of the portal to this point for Auburn baseball and what could be next.

Portal additions:

Lucas Steele, position player, Samford

Eric Snow, position player, USF

Andrew Dutton, position player, Birmingham-Southern

Bristol Carter, outfielder, East Carolina

Sam Dutton, pitcher, LSU

Ryan Hetzler, pitcher, Cal-Baptist

Mason Koch, pitcher, Creighton

Losses:

Chris Stanfield, sophomore outfielder

Zach Crotchfelt, sophomore pitcher

Ty Mauldin, junior infielder

Gavin Miller, sophomore infielder

Kaleb Freeman, sophomore utility

Cam Keshock, sophomore pitcher

What it means:

The loss of Chris Stanfield meant that Auburn was going to need some speed in the outfield and a player that could potentially be a leadoff option for the Tigers. That came on Monday when Bristol Carter committed to the Tigers out of East Carolina. He brings those qualities to the roster and will have a chance to compete in center field along with returner Cade Belyeu. 

That was a big need, as is bolstering the pitching staff. With Chase Allsup, Tanner Bauman and Will Cannon all expected to go in the MLB Draft next month and Joseph Gonzalez not expected back, Auburn will need to replace some key guys in the starting rotation and in the bullpen. A trio of additions should help that with Sam Dutton an experienced arm from LSU with both Ryan Hetzler and Mason Koch both capable of pitching on either the front end or back end of games. 

Lucas Steele provides some firepower at the plate for an offense that should have plenty with Ike Irish and Belyeu both returning. There is some belief that Cooper McMurray could also return for another season at first base if his draft stock isn't high enough. That would potentially give Auburn a strong group in the front half of the lineup. Eric Snow is another middle infield type that will compete with Deric Fabian, Eric Guevara and a host of newcomers for playing time beginning this fall.

What Auburn is still looking for:

The first order of business would be adding an experienced left-hander, either in a starting role or as a proven reliever. That's one of the biggest questions for this team with the loss of Tanner Bauman from last season's team. Finding that piece to go along with the additions on the mound would put Auburn in a good spot heading into 2025. It won't be easy with a left-handed starting pitcher in the portal the equivalent of finding an experienced starting quarterback or left tackle in football. It's something everyone is looking for and there aren't many out there.

Another portal addition is possible if Auburn can find the left-hander they are looking for. It could be just the best available player regardless of position. The goal is always to improve the roster and Auburn has done that so far. Finding another piece to add to the pie would be the goal, but adding a lefty is definitely the first order of business.

[aubiefifty 18,114]

 

auburnwire.usatoday.com

 

Auburn improves pitching staff with addition of Mason Koch

Tyler Raley

2–3 minutes

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Auburn baseball is looking to turn its program back in the right direction after a down year in 2024. Part of that process is scouting talent out of the transfer portal, which it has been successful with as of late.

One of the Tigers’ most recent additions comes in the form of Mason Koch out of Creighton, who has been one of the more highly rated prospects in the portal in this early offseason.

Koch is coming off of a stellar sophomore campaign with the Blue Jays, where he was a relief pitcher for his entire time in the program.

In two years, he posted a 3.48 earned run average in 31 appearances and a strong 5-1 record. All six decisions came in the 2024 season, where he saw increased playing time.

Koch had 25 outings this year where he pitched a total of 38 1/3 innings and racked up six saves in the process. In that time, he struck out 60 batters and gave up 17 walks, while giving up just 14 earned runs as well.

His best appearance of the year came late in the season against a conference foe in UConn, where he pitched for four full innings and struck out eight while walking three. He gave up four hits and no runs as well on the way to the 14-9 victory.

Koch joins a pitching staff that is coming off of posting a 5.94 ERA in 2024, a lot of which came from the arms of the bullpen. Now, he has an opportunity to help improve a pitching staff that needs to turn things around for head coach Butch Thompson next season.

The transfer announcement was one of two big ones Auburn received Monday, with the other being former East Carolina outfielder Bristol Carter.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Tyler on Twitter @traley

[warbiscuit 318]

 

He's from Ft. Myers, hopefully we can get him over Florida/FSU

[WDE1976 22]

Tbh it’s a little disappointing compared to the other SEC teams transfer hauls. I like the Koch/Carter/Hetzler gets. But the rest puzzle me. 

[I_M4_AU 8,888]

 

 

[Gowebb11 9,801]

Good get with Jett Johnston. Those Farragut boys can play and they are used to winning a lot. 

[warbiscuit 318]

 

[LPTiger 5,455]

Root was #2 in the portal and Fisher was 1.   CBT just puts his head down and gets to work.  Very happy for him. 

[SaltyTiger 8,526]

3 hours ago, LPTiger said:

Root was #2 in the portal and Fisher was 1.   CBT just puts his head down and gets to work.  Very happy for him. 

Great to hear that one.