Steele doing ‘phenomenal job’ of stepping up as a team leader

AUBURN | Lucas Steele has hit some absolute bombs during fall practice including a 2-run home run against the Savannah Bananas that landed halfway across the top of the hitting lab in right field.

But his impact has been even greater outside the batter’s box as Auburn begins the process of building its 2026 team.

“Ike Irish and Cooper McMurray leave the program and he comes in here committed to being a leader. He’s done a phenomenal job,” said AU coach Butch Thompson.

Steele, a switch-hitter, transferred to Auburn from Samford last season and hit .270 as a junior with eight doubles, nine home runs and 45 RBI. The Hoover, Ala., native was mainly used as AU’s designated hitter, but also started a couple of games at catcher.

“He cares more about everybody else than I feel like he does himself. He always wants the best for each person,” said Chase Fralick, who took over as AU’s starting catcher as a true freshman last year. “And he’s a great older guy that’s a leader among all the position players. I see him as a legacy guy, which is something that I’m trying to be. So I’m trying to take his lead in whatever he does and see how he does it.”

Steele has taken his leadership role seriously. With the Tigers bringing in 19 newcomers to go along with 21 returning players, team building is just as important as batting, fielding and pitching this fall.

“I’m trying my best to get everyone connected,” said Steele. “We’re not individual ball players. We’re a big, giant family and we’ve got to act that way. I think the closest team always has a better chance of winning. So I try to build that culture of, ‘Hey. we’re going to do this together, we’re going to do that.’ We’re going to love each other. We’re going to rag on each other, but at the end of the day, we all know we love each other. So it’s been a real blessing.”

Steele was on the losing end of Wednesday night’s first intrasquad World Series game as Orange defeated Blue 11-1. The series continues Friday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Auburn will play its second exhibition game at Kennesaw State Nov. 8 and conclude fall practice with a second three-game World Series the following week.