AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn baseball wraps up the week by announcing outfielder Mike Bello as the newest member of the 2021 signing class.
Bello will make his way to the Plains from Oak Ridge, New Jersey, and is a product of Pope John XXIII High School. He is rated by Prep Baseball Report as the No. 3 player in New Jersey and the No. 177 player in the country. Bello is also listed as the top-rated outfielder in his state by both PBR and Perfect Game.
"The biggest factor in my decision to attend Auburn was the opportunity to play for Coach Thompson and the family environment he has brought to Auburn baseball," Bello said. "I'm very excited to officially be a Tiger, and I cannot wait to make memories with my teammates. Another trip to Omaha is the ultimate goal."
Mike Bello Bio Blast
- Hometown: Oak Ridge, N.J.
- High School: Pope John XXIII
- Travel Team: 9ers Baseball Club
- Position: Outfielder
Officially an Auburn Tiger!! 🐅 #wareagle pic.twitter.com/vW9H5ysBVA
— Mike Bello (@BelloMikey) November 11, 2020
In two years at the varsity level for Pope John XXIII, Bello has turned in a .471 average with 46 runs, 33 doubles, 41 RBI and has only struck out nine times in 157 at-bats. Bello was named a 2019 Star Ledger First Team All-State honoree and is a two-time all-conference and all-area selection. He also helped lead the Lions to a county championship.
Bello was selected to the USA Baseball 17U National Team Development Program in 2019 and the MLB Player Development Program as one of the top 80 players in the country in 2020. He also participated in the 2019 Perfect Game Junior National Showcase, 2020 Area Code Baseball Games and 2020 Perfect Game National Showcase, where he was named to the Showcase Top Prospect Team.
When Bello signed his NLI with Auburn on Nov. 11, he became the first baseball player from his county to sign with a Southeastern Conference program.