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Auburn, AL- What has happened to Auburn Baseball? The hype coming out of the fall was a quiet optimism followed by frenzy excitement after the games Jacksonville, FL. Let’s take a deep dive into what the Tigers have done this season. The findings come from my research and speaking to other media members.
Final.#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/4tW7Vb9U8p
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) April 7, 2024
We will start with the offense. Prior to game two of the Tennessee series, Auburn had a batting average of .286 overall and .270 in Conference games. This would rank the Tigers 8th in both categories. Hits Auburn has 261 overall, which is 9th in the SEC and 86 hits in SEC only games which is tied for 5th in the conference. Doubles 52 (8th) overall and 16 (T-5th) in conference. In Home runs 53 (6th) overall and 12 (T-11th) in the SEC only. Walks 166 (7th) overall and 31 (T-12th) in conference. Overall, the offensive stats are not massively impressive, but not low enough for a 2-8 SEC start.
Crushed by @CoopMc9: No. 1⃣2⃣ https://t.co/N5arQ3X89a pic.twitter.com/01Uw9k0DNM
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) April 7, 2024
Part of the reason for lack of offense is the drop off in Bobby Pierce. Over the past few years Pierce has been a key cog in the lineup and now he has dropped off and no longer is a consistent threat. He has provided and continue to provide the defense necessary to remain in the lineup but if he doesn’t watch out, Cade Belyeu could replace him. Cade is a freshman from Auburn who can hit for power and has speed on the base path. He has the raw talent to be great, but Bobby’s overall leadership and defensive abilities continue to keep him in the lineup.
Green light! 🚦@CoopMc9 crushes the 3-0 fastball!
B1 | Auburn 3, Tennessee 0 pic.twitter.com/3WNpOgeXjd
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) April 7, 2024
Pitching might prove to be a different story. The team ERA is 5.19 (10th) in the SEC for the overall season and 7.85 (12th) in the SEC. Opponents are hitting .269 overall (10th) and .331 (13th) within the SEC. Hits allowed 257 (14th) overall and 113 (14th) in the SEC. Walks 112 (9th) overall and 44 (10th) in the SEC. Strikeouts 256 (12th) overall and 73 (T-11th) in the SEC.
Cannon records a first-pitch out and we're underway in the rubber game at Plainsman Park.
T1 | Auburn 0, Tennessee 0 pic.twitter.com/aAer59MQ9e
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) April 7, 2024
On the pitching side, Auburn does not have a consistent strikeout pitcher. Chase Allsup is their best one and has a strike out rate of 24.2% of batters faced. Allsup is 19th in the SEC. Now, Auburn has faced 10 of the top 20 in the SEC in this category which could explain some of the offensive numbers.
On top of yesterday's record crowd, today's game is also 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗢𝗨𝗧.#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/YvO5YrzXI0
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) April 7, 2024
There have been guys that came in highly touted either as freshmen or as transfers and may have performed on some level but have not grabbed the reigns to be given the opportunity to do so on the weekends. Cam Tilly is one of those freshmen and Dylan Watts is one of the transfers to be looking out for in the future, but right now neither have taken the big leap to be in high leverage situations.
𝗔𝘂𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘂𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻
Three straight SEC games ➡️ Three straight single-game attendance records.#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/YZVxvHbLd8
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) April 7, 2024
It seems the issues are more focused around pitching as Auburn has still put-up offensive numbers against #! Arkansas, #7Vanderbilt, #3Texas A&M, and #4Tennessee and still lost most of those games. It seemed that whenever Auburn did good on the offensive sign, it would be overshadowed by the cloud over the pitching. Auburn needs a few strikeout pitchers for both the front end of games and the back end. All of the great teams have that Dude or that group of Dudes and Auburn doesn’t right now.
"Be engaged, make these adjustments, take what you did these first two days. We have to get our plate back. That needs to be the goal tomorrow to try to win a game."
🗣️ » @3strikes_AU #WarEagle https://t.co/HdsLIrIPBo
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) April 6, 2024
that whenever Auburn did good on the offensive sign, it would be overshadowed by the cloud over the pitching. Auburn needs a few strikeout pitchers for both the front end of games and the back end.
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