USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Jul 12, 2026 6:41 PM
Auburn had three more players selected on Day 2 of the 2026 MLB Draft as Alex Petrovic, Ryan Hetzler, and Eric Guevara heard their names called. The Tigers continue showcasing Butch Thompson's player development while awaiting final signing decisions.
The Auburn Tigers are well represented at the MLB draft this year.
After second baseman Chris Rembert was taken on Day One by the Pittsburgh Pirates, three more Auburn Tigers who had a huge impact on last year's Super Regional season had their name called.
On Sunday, right-handed pitcher Alex Petrovic was selected by the New York Mets with the 181st overall selection in round six. He was quickly followed by Ryan Hetzler when the Los Angeles Angels selected him in round seven at pick 199. Eric Guevara, the Tigers' third baseman last season, was then selected, pick 205, by the Miami Marlins.
Petrovic had a strong season for the Auburn Tigers this past year, going 10-2 and recording a 3.21 ERA. Across 92.2 innings pitched, he threw 92 strikeouts with only 24 walks. He was a crucial piece of the Tigers' pitching staff, helping them escape regionals at Plainsman Park with a solid six-inning outing against UCF.
Hetzler might have had the most impressive postseason moment for Auburn in recent memory. He pitched in back-to-back games of a doubleheader, going seven strong innings combined. He earned a three-inning save against UCF and immediately turned around and pitched four solid innings against Milwaukee in this past season's regionals. He finished the year going 4-2 with a 2.43 ERA and recorded 38 strikeouts over 37 innings pitched.
Guevara, who was arguably seen as the best college third baseman on a defensive level entering the MLB draft, was picked a little later than expected this weekend. Although his glove is what sets him apart from others at the collegiate level, Guevara is no stranger to performing well at the plate as well. This past season, Guevara had a.932 OPS and tacked on 13 home runs with 55 RBIs across 62 games played.
It will certainly be a tough task for Butch Thompson to replace all this talent next season for the Auburn Tigers, but this is exactly what is expected of a program that continues to make deep runs into the postseason.
All Auburn players selected in this weekend's draft have yet to be signed to Major League deals, and if they decided to return to Butch Thompson and the Tigers, they certainly could
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