'Outs Collector': Reliever Ryan Hetzler delivers for No. 4 Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. – Don’t call him a closer.

While sophomore reliever Ryan Hetzler leads No. 4 Auburn with seven saves, he defines his role differently.

“I’m an outs collector,” Hetzler said. “I don’t see myself as a closer, I see myself as an outs collector.”

The difference, you may ask?

“All the closers in the league, they have amazing stuff,” Hetzler said. “I don’t think I have that, but I just collect outs, and I know how to handle innings.”

Hetzler has handled 31.2 innings in his first Auburn season, collecting 95 outs. At 5-foot-11, 176 pounds, he mixes a fastball, slider and changeup to keep hitters off balance.

“I’ve got to be working in the zone really well, up and down, in and out,” he said. “Confusing hitters on what I’m going to throw.”

Importantly, Hetzler embraces the high stakes that accompany pitching in late innings.

“I know a lot of people say the most pressure is on a closer because you give up one run and everyone hates you,” he said. “I think that pressure is a privilege, being able to have that trust of the coaching staff, the team and the fans is a great privilege to have.”

Auburn coach Butch Thompson says Hetzler has mastered the concept of focusing on process over outcome, committing to what Thompson calls “Pattern One.”

“End the at-bat on every pitch,” Thompson explained. “He does that at a higher rate, mentally, physically and execution, maybe better than anybody in our program. I see Pattern One defined through his game probably better than anybody in the program this season.”

When the game is on the line, Thompson turns to No. 28.

“Option No. 1 has been Ryan Hetzler for this team,” Thompson said. “That’s one of the biggest roles. He’s a competitive moment guy.”

Thompson says Hetzler’s most recent outing against Ole Miss was “the game that defines his role for the season.”

A season-long 5.0 innings, one earned run and no walks in Auburn’s 13-8 comeback win, a victory that likely secured the Tigers’ No. 4 national seed.

“He takes the sting out of hitters as good as anybody I’ve seen,” Thompson said. 

A native of Southern California, Hetzler entered the transfer portal after an outstanding freshman season at Cal Baptist in which he went 5-1 with four saves and a 2.59 ERA.

“Once somebody populates that portal, you start looking at video like crazy,” said Thompson, noting Hetzler’s high strike percentage as a freshman. “He got to pitch a lot as a freshman. A really good winning fastball and changeup. I think Teaf (Auburn pitching coach Everett Teaford) and them have really helped him with his slider. I think that’s taken him to another level.

“We knew he was a good college pitcher who we absolutely wanted who would make our team better. It’s the intangibles that have been amazing for us.”

Hetzler has continued to fill up the strike zone, issuing only four walks this season, reaffirming for him that Auburn was the right choice.

“Sounded like it was a great pitching development program,” Hetzler recalled. “Ultimately, that’s what I was looking for, where I could develop the most. I didn’t care about NIL, I wanted to develop as a player and as a person.”

Arriving last fall, Hetzler’s role has grown steadily, with six of his seven saves coming in SEC competition.

“I knew I had experience in the late innings so I knew I could help out there,” he said. “My consistency built up over the year, able to be transitioned into that role smoothly.”

An aspiring sports psychologist, Hetzler says he misses the low humidity and abundant selection of Mexican food in his hometown of Corona, California, but what he's gained on the Plains more than makes up for it.

“I love it,” he said. “I feel really welcomed here. The dugout atmosphere is amazing. The fanbase makes this an incredible atmosphere. I know that’s going to be happening this weekend. It feels amazing to be here. It’s been a smooth transition.”

In addition to developing as a pitcher, Hetzler credits Thompson and team chaplains Scott Shepherd and Mason Maners for helping him grow spiritually.

“I’ve loved this year,” he said. “The best thing for me this year was getting in my Christian religion more. That’s been my biggest success of the year, not the baseball side at all but getting in my religion more. That’s helped me out there on the mound as well.

“I hand out wristbands every game, ‘God’s got this.’ Giving the credit all to Him and knowing He’s got you covered no matter what happens.”

After each victory that Hetzler finishes, the Tigers end their dugout celebration with three words: Thank you, Hetz.

“If we’re going to go anywhere in this postseason, we’re going to be saying, ‘Thank you, Hetz’ at the end of a few of these ballgames," Thompson said. 

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer