Auburn Baseball Embraces the Spotlight with Championship Aspirations
AUBURN, Ala. - The expectations are sky-high on The Plains, and Auburn head coach Butch Thompson isn’t shying away from them. With his Tigers ranked in the top 10 across all major college baseball preseason polls, Thompson leaned into the moment Saturday night at the Auburn Diamond Club’s 25th annual preseason banquet.
“We cannot deny, we should not deny that our goal for this baseball program, after being here 10 years, is to try to be the last team standing,” Thompson told a packed Neville Arena floor, where 500 guests gathered to celebrate the start of a new season. “This program has not been in a better, stronger place.”
That’s not just coach-speak. Auburn’s recent run - including hosting NCAA Regionals in three of the last four seasons and reaching a Super Regional for the first time last year - has put the Tigers firmly in the national conversation.
And Thompson, now entering his 11th season at the helm, made it clear: the goal isn’t just to compete. It’s to win it all.
Leadership at the Core
The night wasn’t just about setting lofty goals - it was also about recognizing the leadership that’s expected to help get them there.
Team captains Lucas Steele (C), Alex Petrovic (RHP), Chris Rembert (INF), and Eric Guevara (INF) were front and center during a panel discussion, offering insight into the culture that’s been building inside the clubhouse.
Steele, a senior backstop and one of the emotional anchors of the team, had a simple but powerful message for Auburn’s nine true freshmen: “Soak in the moment. Being able to enjoy every moment, have fun playing the game no matter what your role is, is a big part of getting the full experience.”
That kind of perspective matters in a long college baseball season, where roles can shift and pressure mounts quickly. And Steele’s been through enough battles in the SEC to know that staying grounded is just as important as staying locked in.
Young Talent, Big Voices
Another panel featured a group of rising stars who’ve already made their mark: catcher Chase Fralick, infielder Todd Clay, and outfielders Bub Terrell and Cade Belyeu.
Fralick, who earned SEC All-Freshman honors last season after hitting .335 while catching 48 games, spoke with the poise of a veteran.
“I want to be a catcher that every pitcher wants to throw to,” he said. “I want to be the catcher that has every pitcher’s back and they trust me to call the right pitches, they have conviction in those pitches to get every hitter out.”
That kind of chemistry between battery mates is the lifeblood of any elite pitching staff. And with Fralick behind the plate, Auburn’s arms know they’ve got someone who’s not just catching - he’s commanding.
Terrell, another All-Freshman honoree, closed the panel with a heartfelt message to the Diamond Club members and fans in attendance.
“We are grateful for each and every one of you,” he said. “We can’t wait for all of you to come out and support us Feb. 13.”
The Road Ahead
That date can’t come soon enough. Auburn opens its 2026 campaign with a three-game home series against Youngstown State from Feb. 13-15 at Plainsman Park.
Cincinnati follows on Feb. 17 before the Tigers hit the road for a marquee early-season test in Arlington, Texas, where they’ll face Kansas State, Florida State, and Louisville from Feb. 20-22.
It’s a schedule that offers both opportunity and challenge - and that’s exactly how Thompson wants it. With a roster that blends veteran leadership and promising young talent, the Tigers are built to contend, not just coast.
“We’re trying to win a national championship,” Thompson said, doubling down on the message he’s been preaching. “We’re in an amazing position for 10 years and people are all in.
This is a time to capitalize. This isn’t just a baseball program, this is a family.
People have absolutely invested and it’s huge, so we have a lot to play for in ’26.”
The pieces are in place. The belief is real. And in Auburn, the countdown to something special is officially on.