SEC Baseball: 5 key players for each team during 2022 College World Series
By Matt Melton
Auburn Tigers
- 1B Sonny DiChiara
- DH Brooks Carlson
- SS Brody Moore
- RHP Mason Barnett
- LHP Tommy Sheehan
When looking at the names that will be key for Auburn’s success in Omaha, that conversation starts with 2022 SEC Baseball Co-Player of the Year Sonny DiChiara. Sporting a .392 AVG with 22 HR on the year, DiChiara is undoubtedly the name that sticks out in the Tigers lineup, and having collected multiple hits in four of his last six games, the Auburn first baseman comes to Omaha swinging a hot bat.
Looking elsewhere in Auburn’s lineup, there are also two other notable players who come to Omaha swinging a hot bat in the duo of Brooks Carlson and Brody Moore. Carlson, who holds a .310 AVG for the year, had at-least one hit in five straight games before going 0-for-4 in game three against Oregon State, while Moore had the exact same five-game hitting streak, one that included a 5-for-5 showing against Florida State in the Auburn regional.
Pitching-wise for the Tigers, obviously starters such as Joseph Gonzalez and Trace Bright will be key, but right-hander Mason Barnett could also play a significant role coming off back-to-back strong starts against UCLA and Oregon State. Tommy Sheehan is also a name to watch for, with the left-hander having only allowed one earned run across five appearances since the calendar flipped to May.