AUBURN, Ala. – From Auburn to Oregon to Seattle to Nevada, Ryan Bliss' baseball journey now stands just one step away from the big leagues.
After tearing up the Texas League and being selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game, the former Auburn All-American earned a promotion from Double-A Amarillo to the Arizona Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate in Reno to start the second half of the minor league season.
"It was amazing being among peers of that caliber," said Bliss of helping the National League defeat the American League 5-0 Saturday in T-Mobile Park, the Mariners' stadium. "It showed me that I could do it, that I belonged there."
Leading off and playing second base, Bliss belted 12 home runs and hit .358 in 68 Double-A games this season, a remarkable improvement after hitting .214 last season at High-A Hillsboro (Oregon).
"It's something I hadn't experienced," said Bliss of the 2022 slump. "I just stuck it out. Baseball was kicking me in the mouth a little bit and I had to make some adjustments."
Bliss, the Texas League Player of the Month in April and May, leads the league in runs (67) hits (105), average (.358) and slugging (.594).
"I learned how to work through things, how to still be a great teammate and be great defensively as well," he said. "I learned a lot of things which I think will help me in the near future."
Bliss also ranks second in the Texas League with 30 steals and 25 doubles.
"My speed's always been there," said Bliss, who stole 22 bases in three seasons at Auburn from 2019-21. "Now I'm just learning how to be a better baserunner."
Two years ago, after the best hitting season by an Auburn shortstop in 40 years, Bliss celebrated his second-round selection on the Plains with teammates, family and friends.
This year, former Tiger teammates Cole Foster and Bryson Ware, along with Auburn pitcher Chase Isbell, heard their names called in the Major League Baseball Draft.
"Enjoy every minute of it," Bliss advised. "Enjoy your moment. You just got drafted, how many people can say that?"
When Bliss arrived at Auburn from nearby LaGrange, Georgia, in the summer of 2018, he quickly befriended fellow freshman Kason Howell, who completed his five-season career in 2023 after helping the Tigers twice reach the College World Series.
"I saw him at orientation for the first time and after that, we never looked back," Bliss reminisced. "He's been one of my best friends since we got here. Great teammate, great leader.
"When you can have somebody roam center field for you for five years, it brings a sense of confidence, knowing he's going to make every play. He's a great person. I'm glad to call him one of my best friends."
One call away from The Show, Ryan Bliss debuts for the Reno Aces Friday at Las Vegas.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer