A strong bullpen led by sophomore Keegan Thompson and new pitching coach Tom Holliday could provide some cushion for the offense, but a cohesive outfield is what the Tigers might find themselves leaning on in 2015.
Junior right fielder Jordan Ebert, junior left fielder Sam Gillikin and sophomore center fielder Anfernee Grier could be as valuable for keeping runners from crossing home plate as they will be for driving runners in this season.
Head coach Sunny Golloway calls the Foley, Hoover and Phenix City natives the "Alabama Trio."
"I've said going in that the Alabama Trio will be the starting outfield," Golloway said. "It's a pretty neat thing, pretty special."
The Trio has shifted positions this year to upgrade Auburn's defense.
Ebert moved from left to right field to take advantage of his strong throwing arm. Gillikin moved from right to left field and Grier, who played on both sides last year, will learn the walls at center field.
"We feel like they settled in to where they are at now," Golloway said. "They feel more comfortable in those positions."
The team is looking for another great year from Ebert, who led the team with a .351 batting average last season.
The SEC's top returning hitter could have tried his hand in professional baseball, being draft eligible, but decided to take another swing at Auburn after going 28-28 last season and missing the SEC Tournament.
"(Ebert) had a really good year last year," Gillikin said. "He's going to have to be a guy that steps up and wins games for us, and he knows he is that guy."
Gillikin, who hit .214 with five doubles, four RBIs and was perfect in 30 outfield chances through 24 games as a sophomore, may have as much potential as anyone on the team, according to Golloway.
"(Gillikin) is someone that professional baseball has talked a lot about," Golloway said. "He's got no ceiling. The sky is the limit for him."
Grier missed 16 games last season after injuring his hand in the Missouri series. Sitting on the bench with his hand wrapped dealt a huge blow to Auburn's offense, but he returned strong and hit .255 with one home run and 11 RBIs to finish the season.
Golloway has preached "Omaha" since he was named Auburn's 17th head baseball coach June 14, 2013.
The Tigers did not even reach the doorstep of a championship last year, but the "Alabama Trio" has the potential on offense and defense for a turnaround season.
"Our expectations are try to get to 40 wins and get to postseason," Golloway said. "That is what it is going to take to get to Omaha. We got an Alabama trio out there and they all need to step up and play well, and potentially they can."
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