AUBURN, Ala. - Having recently wrapped up its fall slate, which included a pair of exhibition wins against Tuskegee and Clemson, Auburn baseball has its sights set on the 2022 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
#1 Blake Rambusch | R-Jr. | IF/OF | Austin, Texas | Grayson College
After ranking top 15 in the NJCAA in batting average at Grayson College a year ago, Rambusch impressed enough in his first fall on The Plains to be named the Tigers MVP. The junior college utility man turned in a .328 average and .481 on-base percentage while tying for the team lead with eight extra-base hits. Rambusch qualified for a quality at-bat in 43 of his 87 trips to the plate.
Most Valuable Pitcher of the Fall
#40 Blake Burkhalter | Jr. | RHP | Dothan, Ala. | Northview High School
Entering his third season with the program, Burkhalter turned in the team's second-lowest ERA (1.64). WHIP (0.73) and batting average against (.143) of the fall. The junior righty made 10 appearances and ultimately struck out 16 while issuing four walks in 11.0 innings. He threw a first-pitch strike 70 percent of the time and got to just six three-ball counts all fall.
Most Valuable Hitter of the Fall
#6 Ryan Dyal | R-So. | C/OF | Senoia, Ga. | East Coweta High School
After getting his first taste of action a season ago, Dyal swung arguably the Tigers most consistent bat this fall, ultimately ranking second on the team in average (.393), on-base percentage (.553), slugging percentage (.696) and OPS (1.249) while tying for the team lead in extra-base hits. Dyal capped off the fall by hitting two homers and driving in five runs in the three-game Orange vs. Blue World Series.
Teammate Award Winners of the Fall
#29 Carson Skipper | Sr. | LHP | Trussville, Ala. | Hewitt-Trussville High School
The most experienced of Auburn's hurlers, Skipper moved from the bullpen into a starting role this fall and turned in a 1.69 ERA in six appearances and 16.0 innings pitched. The senior southpaw struck out 14 batters and held opponents to a .217 average against. Skipper was called upon to start both exhibition games against Tuskegee on Oct. 15 and Clemson on Oct. 23.
#11 Garrett Farquhar | R-Sr. | IF | Hoover, Ala. | Shelton State
After coming on strong at the end of last season, Farquhar put himself in a position to compete for a starting role and did just that this fall. The third-year infielder turned in quality at-bat in nearly 40 percent of his trips to the plate and was reliable at the hot corner and up the middle. Farquhar struck out the third fewest times among everyday players with just six punchouts in 62 plate appearances.