In 2014, three Tigers were called from Plainsman Park to MLB to pursue playing in national pastime parks.
Two of the three signed a contract, chasing the dream just days after the MLB First-Year Player Draft.
The earliest selection from Auburn, and the first to leave, was Tallassee native Trey Cochran-Gill.
The right-hander began his Auburn baseball career in 2012, completing three seasons before the draft. He was a career 6-5, making 57 appearances and nine starts. Today, his professional career consists of 10 wins and two losses, with a 1.55 ERA and 14 saves through 75.1 innings.
“He showed great versatility in making the switch mid-season,” said Section 111 member Daniel Brower. “He seemed solid as a starter and as a reliever. Could be very effective for getting out of jams.”
One of the attributes to Cochran-Gill’s success is credited to the level of competition he faced in the SEC.
During his time at Auburn, he battled against first round picks such as LSU’s Aaron Nola and Vanderbilt’s Tyler Beede.
“It really helps you playing against good competition like that in the SEC,” Cochran-Gill said. “Day in and day out, you’re facing really good hitters and it really prepares you for the next level. Watching good pitchers like Aaron Nola and other guys like that kind of helps you get a good idea of what you need to succeed at the these levels.”
And he has succeeded.
Cochran-Gill has advanced from the 501st overall pick to a top 20 prospect in the Mariners organization. He was a postseason all-star in rookie league, and since then has played with four other teams, slowly making his way to the top.
He even jumped from High A to Triple-A for one game start. It was the first start of his Triple-A career, but it was a bit shaky.
He now is back to his reliever role in the Southern League with the Mariners’ Double-A affiliate, the Jackson Generals.
Mackenzie Helms, former Auburn athletics marketing intern and member of Section 111 said Cochran-Gill’s talents took until the end of the season to show.
“He stepped up big time late in the season.” Helms said. “Whether he was starting or coming in for a relief appearance you could count on him for a solid outing.”
Cochran-Gill began his for the Tigers under the guidance of coach John Pawlowski and pitching coach Scott Foxhall. Pawlowski left the Plains in 2013, ushering in the Sunny Golloway era.
“Honestly when I came in there I just worked with a lot of good coaches,” Cochran-Gill said. “They showed me what I needed to do to get drafted and what I needed to do to play pro ball. It really helped me out, they showed me different pitches and all kinds of things I needed to get to the next level.”
Cochran-Gill is the first alumni of Tallassee High School to reach the minor leagues in 15 years.
“Coming out of high school, you aren’t really set for guys that are playing at the next level right now,” Cochran-Gill said. “Going to Auburn, playing in the SEC and against guys that will for sure be in the big leagues one day, playing against that competition for three years really helped me out.”
The right-hander has continued to keep the scouts’ attention with his mid-90s, above average fastball.
Former teammate and Tigers’ first baseman Daniel Robert, who played alongside Cochran-Gill in 2014, said his technique is in a league of its own.
“You can’t really replace his stuff, he was just disgusting,” Robert said. “Like [throwing] 93- 95. It felt like his fastball would move three feet every time he threw it. Everyone was just waiting on the one that clicked and I guess it has now.”
Should he still be with the Generals in August, the team will face the Montgomery Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery on August 23-27.
“He’s on the fast track,” Robert said. “It’s really good for him. He’s always had a really good attitude and is just a really good guy.”
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