AUBURN, Ala. – Having recently wrapped up its fall slate, which included a pair of exhibition wins against Louisiana Tech and Alabama, Auburn baseball turns its full attention to the 2023 regular season. But first, let's take a look at some of the top performers for the Tigers this fall.
Most Valuable Player of the Fall
#18 Ike Irish | Fr. | C | Hudsonville, Mich. | St. Mary's Prep
A 2022 Collegiate Baseball First Team High School All-American and the No. 39 overall player in the signing class according to Perfect Game, Irish wasted no time in asserting his presence on the Plains. The freshman backstop led the Tigers with 23 hits in intrasquad games and exhibitions while ranking tied for second with five homers and third with 15 RBI. Proving he's already up for the challenge, Irish homered in both exhibitions against Louisiana Tech and Alabama. He registered a 'hard hit' in 58 percent of his at-bats, indicating the ball left the bat at 88 miles per hour or faster.
Most Valuable Position Player of the Fall
#24 Nate LaRue | Sr. | C | Mobile, Ala. | McGill-Toolen
After establishing himself as the primary catcher during SEC play a year ago, LaRue took his offensive game to the next level this fall while also stepping into a larger leadership role with the Tigers. The senior led the way with a .420 average and 18 RBI and tied with Irish for second on the team with five homers. LaRue registered a 51 percent 'hard hit' rate and homered twice in game two of the Orange and Blue World Series. Along with his offensive production, LaRue continued his strong work behind the plate, handling a pitching staff that included 15 new faces.
Most Valuable Pitcher of the Fall
#45 Joseph Gonzalez | Jr. | RHP | Humacao, P.R. | Leadership Christian Academy
Coming off a strong sophomore season and even more impressive stint with the U.S. Collegiate National Team this summer, Gonzalez had already solidified himself among the Auburn pitching staff coming into the fall. His workload continued through the first week of November, and he ultimately led the team with a 67 percent strike-throwing rate. The junior right hander saved his best of the fall for last as he hurled two near-perfect innings with three strikeouts in the exhibition win against Alabama.
Teammate Award Winners of the Fall
#27 Bobby Peirce | R-Sr. | OF | Scottsdale, Ariz. | South Mountain CC
Along with hitting .357 and reaching base at a near-.500 clip this fall, Peirce was rated by his teammates as the player with the most character, integrity and trustworthiness and the one they would most want in their hypothetical foxhole. Peirce, who established himself in the Auburn lineup after hitting 10 home runs in the last two months of the 2022 season, finished the fall second in Most Valuable Position Player voting and was rated as the second toughest hitter to pitch to.
#5 Kason Howell | 5th Year | OF | Argyle, Texas | Liberty Christian
Joining Peirce at the top of the list in terms of character, integrity and trustworthiness, Howell hit .326 and tied for second on the team with five doubles in intrasquad and exhibition action. A mainstay in the Auburn lineup since he stepped foot on campus in the fall of 2018, Howell elected this summer to return to campus for his final year of eligibility. He started in al 65 games a season ago and finished the year with a team-high 19 doubles while trailing only SEC Co-Player of the Year Sonny DiChiara with 23 extra-base hits.