Auburn’s Sophomore Trio Earns Preseason All-SEC Honors, Tigers Picked Fifth in Conference Poll
Auburn baseball’s youth movement isn’t just promising - it’s already producing results. Sophomores Chris Rembert, Chase Fralick, and Bub Terrell have all been named to the 2026 Preseason All-SEC Team, as voted by the league’s head coaches. And if last season was any indication, this trio is just getting started.
Rembert headlines the group with a First Team nod at second base, while Fralick (catcher) and Terrell (outfielder) earned spots on the Second Team. All three were standout freshmen in 2025, helping power Auburn to its first-ever home super regional - a historic milestone for the program.
Chris Rembert: The Catalyst in the Middle
Let’s start with Rembert, who’s quickly becoming one of the most complete hitters in the SEC. As a freshman, he slashed .344 with 14 doubles, 10 home runs, and 46 RBIs - but it was his ability to get on base that really turned heads.
In conference play, he led the league with a .485 on-base percentage and ranked third with a .376 batting average. That kind of plate discipline and production from a freshman?
That’s rare air.
His breakout campaign earned him First Team Freshman All-America honors across the board - from Baseball America, D1 Baseball, and the NCBWA - and he became Auburn’s first freshman to earn First or Second Team All-SEC recognition since 2008. Now, entering his sophomore season, he’s already been named a Preseason First Team All-American by multiple outlets. Safe to say, Rembert isn’t sneaking up on anyone anymore.
Chase Fralick: Steady Behind the Plate, Dangerous at the Plate
Fralick’s freshman year was a masterclass in consistency - both behind the dish and in the batter’s box. The Peachtree City, Georgia native hit .335 with 17 doubles and 41 RBIs, starting 48 games at catcher. In SEC play, he actually improved, hitting .343 and tying for the team lead in doubles.
Defensively, Fralick was rock solid. He posted a .991 fielding percentage and caught eight attempted base stealers - impressive numbers for a freshman handling the rigors of SEC pitching. His efforts earned him First Team Freshman All-America honors from multiple outlets, and he’s already landed on the Buster Posey Award Preseason Watch List - a nod to the top catchers in college baseball.
Bub Terrell: Clutch Performer in the Outfield
Then there’s Terrell, who quietly put together a strong freshman season before exploding in the postseason. He hit .300 over 203 at-bats, matching Fralick’s 17 doubles and 41 RBIs, and proved to be a consistent contributor in the lineup.
But it was in the Auburn Regional where Terrell truly made his mark. He went 8-for-11 (.727) with three doubles and eight RBIs over three games, earning Regional MVP honors and helping Auburn punch its ticket to the super regional. That kind of clutch performance doesn’t just show up in the box score - it sets the tone for a program looking to take the next step.
Defensively, Terrell was a steady presence in left field, committing just one error in 74 chances and adding an outfield assist to his stat line.
Auburn’s Outlook: Respect Earned, Expectations Rising
The SEC coaches clearly took notice of what Auburn is building. The Tigers were picked to finish fifth in the league - their highest preseason projection since at least 2005. In a conference as deep and competitive as the SEC, that’s no small feat.
Here’s how the full coaches poll stacks up:
- LSU (9 first-place votes) - 231 points
- Texas (1) - 214
- Mississippi State (4) - 205
- Arkansas (2) - 203
- Auburn - 175
- Tennessee - 162
- Florida - 156
- Vanderbilt - 151
- Georgia - 133
- Ole Miss - 110
- Kentucky - 99
- Alabama - 87
- Texas A&M - 86
- Oklahoma - 84
- South Carolina - 49
- Missouri - 31
Auburn’s rise in the rankings reflects more than just returning talent - it speaks to the belief that this team is ready to compete with the SEC’s elite. With Rembert, Fralick, and Terrell leading the charge, the Tigers have a core that’s battle-tested, productive, and still developing.
What’s Next
The 2026 campaign kicks off with a three-game series against Youngstown State from February 13-15 at Plainsman Park. With momentum, talent, and expectations all trending upward, Auburn fans have plenty to be excited about as the new season gets underway.
Tickets are still available in limited quantities, including single-game, mini-plan, and flex options. If this trio keeps performing the way they did last season, Plainsman Park might be the place to be this spring.