Auburn baseball's 'rock solid foundation' creates positive outlook from Baseball America

Tigers Roar into Top 5: Auburn Baseball Prepped for College World Series Run

Auburn made a stunning comeback in 2025, transforming from cellar dwellers to Super Regional hosts. Now, experts predict another stellar season.

Just one year after a disappointing campaign with only 27 wins, the Auburn Tigers soared to new heights in 2025. Their remarkable turnaround saw them improve their win total by 14 games and secure their first-ever Super Regional berth. This impressive surge has caught the attention of college baseball experts at Baseball America, who have ranked Auburn No. 5 in their "way-too-early" top 25 for the 2026 season – a significant jump from their No. 10 ranking at the end of 2025.

Experts Jacob Rudner and Peter Flaherty highlight the impact of standout freshmen Chris Rembert, Christian Chatterton, and Eric Guevara, along with transfers Todd Clay and Drew Whalen, predicting they will propel Auburn to the top of both the SEC and national rankings next season.

From Bottom to Top: A Year of Transformation

Auburn's rapid climb back into SEC prominence in 2025 saw them more than double their conference win total from the previous year. While key contributors Samuel Dutton and Ike Irish have departed, leaving behind a void difficult to fill, returning players like Chris Rembert, Chase Fralick, Eric Guevara, Bub Terrell, Christian Chatterton, and Andreas Alvarez form a solid foundation built upon strategic recruiting.

To bolster their pitching staff, Auburn has welcomed additions Drew Whalen (Western Kentucky), Ethan Harden (Belmont), and Jake Marciano (Virginia Tech). Offensively, Ryan Farber (Texas State), Todd Clay (Alabama-Birmingham) and Logan Greggorio (Northern Illinois) promise exciting contributions.

Rebuilding for 2026: A New Season Dawns

Despite a successful 2025 season, Auburn head coach Butch Thompson faces the challenge of rebuilding his pitching staff and infield following the departure of several players to Major League Baseball organizations.

The loss of Ike Irish, drafted No. 19 overall by the Baltimore Orioles, will be particularly significant. His versatility in the field and power at the plate made him a vital asset.

However, Thompson's proven coaching ability and the return of key players like catcher Chase Fralick, outfielders Lucas Steele and Bub Terrell, and infielders Eric Guevara and Chris Rembert provide optimism for another successful season. Pitchers Christian Chatterton, Jackson Sanders, Andreas Alvarez, Alex Petrovic, and Saxon Roberts are also poised to contribute alongside returning arms Mason Koch, Connor Gatwood, and Trevor Booton.

SEC Dominance: A Battle for the Top

Baseball America's top five is heavily dominated by SEC teams. Defending College World Series champion LSU sits at No. 2, followed by Texas at No. 3 and Mississippi State at No. 4. UCLA rounds out the top five, aiming to build on their successful 2025 season with a return to the College World Series.