Rembert's rise: Auburn star ready to lead after USA Baseball experience

AUBURN, Ala. – Asked to reflect on individual and team accomplishments from his epic first season, Chris Rembert does not mention his .344 batting average, Freshman All-America honors or that he was Auburn’s first freshman since 2008 to earn All-SEC recognition.

Instead, his mind goes straight to how the 2025 season ended and the fire that burns for 2026.

“I just have a bitter taste in my mouth about the super regional,” he said. “I believe firmly that we’re going to make it Omaha next year, and we’re going to win it.”

When the season ended with Auburn hosting its first super regional in program history, Rembert took his red-hot bat to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, before joining the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

Of the 56 players invited to North Carolina, only 26 made Team USA, including Rembert, who hit .400 during the five-game training camp, earning Chris a trip to Japan in July to represent the red, white and blue in the 45^th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series.

“It was amazing,” Rembert recalled. “It’s like everything you could have dreamed of. An awesome experience being able to experience a different culture in Japan.”

Team USA’s leading hitting in the series, Rembert batted .278 in Japan, earning an award as the team’s top player, further bolstering his confidence.

“It helps it, knowing I’m able to compete with guys who have already had success at that level,” Rembert said. “It’s awesome to be able to play with guys to sharpen my skills and get better.”

While Japan swept the series, Rembert reveled in playing in a packed stadium in Tokyo, after a 12-hour flight.

“That game was crazy,” Rembert said. “They had bands for the whole game. It was pretty cool.”

Starting 56 games as a freshman last season, Rembert led the SEC with a .485 on-base percentage in league play while hitting .376 against conference pitching.

“From the time he arrived on campus last August as a freshman, Chris Rembert has exceeded our expectations, weekly, daily, monthly,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a player’s stock rise consistently incrementally. He keeps getting better, keeps playing great baseball, and he does it quietly.”

Rembert’s rookie resume included 49 runs, 72 hits, 14 doubles, 10 homers and 46 RBI while turning in a .981 fielding percentage in 155 total chances at second base and right field. 

“I knew I could do it,” Rembert said. “From the fall, having that confidence build up, I knew I had it in me.”

Rembert helped the Tigers go 17-13 in SEC play, then went 4-for-6 with four RBI in an 11-1 win over NC State to sweep the Auburn Regional.

“The chemistry we had, the players we played with, the leadership we had,” said Rembert, whose .344 average was fourth nationally among Power Four freshmen. “It’s awesome.”

“He waved an amazing flag for Auburn and then got to do it for USA,” Thompson said. “He’s not a secret anymore. He’s made the most of his opportunity. I’ve never seen a player grow by leaps and bounds in such a short period of time.”

Embracing a larger leadership role in his second season on the Plains, Rembert and his teammates are working out in small groups before team practice begins in early October.

“Leading by example and with words as well,” Rembert said. “Always doing the right thing so the freshmen coming in have something to look at it. I believe the way I play will influence the way they play.”

“Chris will be in that category of lead by example every day, and people can see it,” Thompson said. “The greatest gift he has of consistency is when he puts the ball in play, when the bat hits the ball, he runs as hard as he can to first base. He’s done that from the day he got here.

“He runs the bases the hardest, he plays the hardest, he works the hardest. I think that’s why his stock has continued to rise because he rushes in and he drags out every day.”

Because he’ll turn 21 next July, Rembert will be eligible for the 2026 MLB draft after his sophomore season, but he will have the option to return to Auburn in 2027 if he chooses.

“I don’t put pressure on myself about that,” Rembert said. “I’m going to continue to play the game the way I play it. It’s not going to change just based off the draft. Being here is an awesome experience, so if I don’t go where I potentially want to go, being here is a great alternative.”

After a fabulous freshman season, Chris Rembert prepares diligently for an encore, one he hopes will end in Omaha, Nebraska, with Auburn’s seventh College World Series appearance.  

“His sophomore year is setting up for the whole country to be aware of who Chris Rembert is,” Thompson said. “That’s fun and exciting for Chris and his future, his teammates, and for the Auburn family to watch him play.”

“Come out and support next year,” Rembert said. “We’re going to do some big things and the support will be greatly appreciated.”

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