A Strategic Boost for the Tigers
Auburn's baseball program has turned to the transfer portal to shore up its bullpen, welcoming former Mississippi State left‑hander Dane Burns. The 2026 season saw Burns post a 3.72 ERA over 38 2/3 innings for the SEC rival, striking out 32 of the 111 batters he faced while allowing just nine earned runs in 23 innings. He made a single appearance against his former team, surrendering three runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings.
The newcomer is joined by a quartet of right‑handed arms — including South Alabama’s Zach Stephens and Arizona’s Corey Kling — as well as UC Davis left‑hander Jack Pezzolo. Their arrivals add depth and versatility to a pitching staff that already returns key relievers such as Jackson Sanders and LJ Cormier.
Meanwhile, the futures of Alex Petrovic and Ryan Hetzler remain uncertain as the MLB draft approaches, creating a sense of anticipation around how the roster will shape up before the first pitch of the season.
Coach Chris Lemonis believes this blend of experience and fresh talent will give the Tigers a competitive edge, aiming to translate strong pitching performances into more wins and a deeper run in the SEC tournament.