Impact bat
Daniel Robert is swinging a hot bat during preseason practice and poised for a breakout junior season.
AUBURN | Daniel Robert has put up pretty good numbers his first two seasons at Auburn but is poised to take a big step forward as a junior.
Robert has been one of Auburn’s top hitters during preseason practice, impressing assistant coach Doug Sisson.
“He's a big, strong, athletic guy. There's a lot to like,” Sisson said. “He should be an impact player at this level and should have a really good future at the next level. He's big, strong, he can run, he can throw, the ball really comes off his bat. He has a tremendous approach at the plate. I like how he stays in the middle of the field.
“He's a good two-strike hitter, which is very important to us. We kind of teach hitting from two strikes working back. He gets in the box with a plan and he's able to make a good adjustment with two strikes and put pressure on the pitcher. There's a lot to like about him. My expectations for him are to be an impact bat in the middle of our lineup.”
Robert batted .298 as a sophomore with 12 doubles, three triples, three home runs and a team-high 38 RBI. He’s started 94 career games.
“I'm just trying to get better every day,” Robert said. “Sis is really good with the mental approach of the game so hopefully this year will be a good year for the team, not just me.”
One area that Robert is working to improve is his plate discipline. Last year he struck out 39 times while drawing 24 walks.
“No one is afraid of two strikes, which is Coach Sisson's No. 1 objective, to get everybody to hit with two strikes,” Robert said. “Past years if the count didn't go your way or got a bad call, you were kind of tense with two strikes, afraid of striking out. With Coach Sisson's approach, you're ready to get two strikes and do some damage.”
Robert is expected to split playing time at first base and designated hitter with junior college transfer Niko Buentello, who has also been one of Auburn’s best hitters during preseason scrimmages.
They’ll be part of a veteran lineup that returns nine players with 40 or more career starts. Robert is confident that the group combined with a pitching staff that will have to rely on several junior college transfers and true freshmen will surprise pundits that have picked the Tigers to finish last in the SEC West.
“I think we can really swing it,” he said. “We've got some arms that are good, some live arms, and the chemistry is great. We're just ready for the first game.”
Auburn opens the season at Plainsman Park Friday, Feb. 19 as Sacramento State visits for a three-game series.
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