Sophomore standouts: Terrell, Fralick, Rembert power No. 4 Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. –  Auburn outfielder Bub Terrell raised an approving fist when ESPN analyst Mike Rooney told viewers during Monday’s NCAA Tournament selection show that the Tigers boast “the best sophomore class in the country.”

Sophomores Terrell, second baseman Chris Rembert and catcher Chase Fralick form one-third of Auburn’s lineup, combining for 34 home runs, 131 runs batted in and a .319 batting average while leading the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament’s No. 4 seed in back-to-back seasons.

“They’ve been great,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “They were super freshmen.”

After each made the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2025, the Tiger trio added responsibilities this season, continuing to excel even as the league’s pitchers adjusted to their strengths.

“When they’re freshmen they can just play ball,” Thompson said. “Help us if you can, stay out of the way, when it’s your time to bat, get a hit. Now they’re being asked to lead.”

THE BACKSTOP: CHASE FRALICK  

Auburn’s primary catcher since he arrived on campus, Chase Fralick skillfully guides the Tigers’ staff, empowered by Thompson and pitching coach Everett Teaford to call pitches.  

“It’s impossible to measure,” Thompson said of Fralick’s value. “The nine world series I’ve been a part of, they’ve all been catching strong. It feels like we have that again. He did that for us last year. That made it believable for last year’s team to host a super regional.”

Fralick increased his home run total from four last season to 14 this year. His 11 home runs while catching are the most since Casey Dunn hit 16 from the position in 1999.

“He’s had some big hits. This feels like a professional hitter. We always knew he was going to hit,” Thompson said. “But he’s grown more as a catcher.

“I’ve seen more growth behind the scenes in the pitcher-catcher meetings. He has his input, he’s doing his own research. He’s gone from taking notes to saying stuff for other people to take notes. That’s where the growth has come.”

In addition to hitting and handling Auburn’s elite pitching staff, Fralick also limits opponents' running games.

“He’s a better thrower than he was early in the year,” Thompson said. “We have not given up more than two stolen bases in an SEC series.

“This feels like a guy who’s going to play the game for a long time. I’ve seen a more well-rounded player come into play right before our eyes this year. A wonderful baseball player.”

After drawing big crowds at last week’s SEC Tournament in Hoover, Fralick looks forward to hosting a regional for the second straight season.

“We’re super excited to get back to Plainsman Park and see what we can do at home,” Fralick said.

AIR BUB: BUB TERRELL

Marveling at Bub Terrell’s home run-robbing catch in Saturday’s SEC Tournament semifinal vs. Arkansas, Thompson used Terrell’s take on the takeaway as a teaching point on the importance of preparation.

“’I knew where I was,’” Terrell told associate head coach Gabe Gross about a catch that trended on social media.

In a quarter century of SEC baseball, Thompson says he’s seldom seen a better catch.

“One of the best I can remember in a while,” Thompson said. “That ball started pushing and it was going out. It was an amazing catch.”

Auburn’s leading home run hitter with 16, Terrell points to Auburn’s series win at Florida as a turning point. After getting pinch hit for in game two, Terrell responded in game three with a game-tying homer in Auburn’s dramatic comeback win. He since has a hit in 18 of the past 19 games, hitting .342 with eight homers and 18 RBI during the stretch.

“That was a big step in this season for me,” Terrell said. “I was struggling. Having a steady head. BT (Thompson) came to me the next game and asked if I was okay. I told him I was mentally ready. I feel like I f I keep that mindset going, I’ll be pretty good.”

THE CAPTAIN: CHRIS REMBERT

In Auburn’s SEC Tournament quarterfinal win over Texas A&M, Rembert’s sacrifice bunt put two teammates in scoring position, leading to a four-run inning.

“My biggest moment from a teaching standpoint,” Thompson said. “If he’s willing to lay a bunt down, anybody in our uniform should be willing to lay a bunt down.”

After earning Second Team All-SEC honors as a freshman, Rembert was named to the First Team this season, saving his best for last with a .417 average during his current career-best 12-game hitting streak.  

Elected as one of the Tigers’ four legacy leaders by his teammates, Rembert takes a .345 batting average into Friday’s NCAA Auburn Regional opener.

“I see a lot of the same traits from last year’s team,” Rembert said. “I feel like we have a better chance this year than last year because of the awesome arms we have on the mound.”

From freshman phenoms to sophomore sensations, Rembert, Terrell and Fralick will play important roles in how far Auburn advances in the tournament.

“Rembert is one of our captains," Thompson said. "Bub and Fralick are in a spot now where you don’t have an Ike Irish or a Cooper McMurray who’s got you cushioned. You’re the the guy.

“They’ve grown as ballplayers because you’re not just freely playing the game. Now they have to think about, how am I going to lead and how to take care of everybody around in addition to trying to play their best baseball.”

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