Anfernee Grier putting team goals first
Junior center fielder Anfernee Grier has been a standout in Auburn’s first two scrimmages.
AUBURN | Junior Anfernee Grier is probably Auburn’s top prospect for this summer’s MLB Draft but the center fielder has his complete focus on the Tigers’ upcoming season.
“My goals are to just enjoy playing the game, have fun with my team and win. That’s the main thing,” Grier said. “I don’t really have any personal goals. I’m more concerned with the overall team.”
Auburn is just two days into preseason practice and Grier has picked up were he left off last season. Saturday, he had two singles and two stolen bases.
“He was kind of the offensive catalyst today,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said.
Grier has been used as Auburn’s leadoff hitter the first two scrimmages. A role he flourished in for much of last season hitting a team-high .323 with 22 doubles, 41 runs scored and nine stolen bases.
Thompson is not ready to lock Grier into the leadoff role for this season but likes what he’s seen so far.
“What you want a leadoff guy to be, he’s looked comfortable in that,” Thompson said. “Between coach (Doug) Sisson and I we’re going to look at him in a lot of different roles and have the opportunity to do that now. We’ll settle in on something. I thought he looked really good in that role these last two days.”
The Orange team beat the Blue team 6-1 in Saturday’s four-inning scrimmage. Thompson praised freshman right-hander Casey Mize but would like to see more efficiency and attention to detail from his pitchers.
“Just excited as a coach sitting here seeing (Mize) pitch with his fastball and have success,” he said. “I just think we’re throwing too many pitches and too many batters are coming to the plate in an inning. We had two half-innings where we got two out immediately, one-two, and then runs were scored after that.”
Thompson was hired Oct. 22, after the conclusion of fall practice, and these three weeks of preseason practice will be a learning period for him and his players.
“It’s been different with the new coaches but I’ve enjoyed myself these first two days of practice,” Grier said. “It’s been fun getting back out on the field with these guys.
“I feel like I’m learning a lot, getting more reps in practice now. It’s been kind of laid back but I’ve learned a lot. I think it’s going to be great for our team.”
Auburn is incorporating 17 newcomers to the team including seven junior college transfers. Two of those JUCO players, right fielder Joshua Palacios and first baseman/designated hitter Niko Buentello, have made an early impression on Grier.
“I really like P-Lo, that’s my boy. I think he’ll have a real good year for us this year and really help us out a lot,” Grier said. “And Niko, he’s the man. I’ve never seen the ball jump off a bat like his.”
Auburn will hold another four-inning scrimmage Sunday at 1 p.m. CT, which is open to the public. The Tigers open the season Friday, Feb. 19 at home with a three-game series against Sacramento State.
***More baseball coverage...