Transfer crushes four home runs during third week of fall ball

AUBURN | Logan Gregorio is starting to show why he was such a prized addition for Auburn out of the portal. The Northern Illinois transfer hit four home runs in three intrasquad games to wrap up the Tigers’ third week of fall practice.

“Just absolutely swung the bat. I think he was the offensive player of the day two of the three days,” said AU coach Butch Thompson. “It’s impressive when someone is locked in. You’d think the home runs are big, the four hits would do it alone. But with a runner on second and nobody out, hitting a ball to the right side. Every at-bat was great. Felt like every time he pulled the trigger, he hit a ball hard.”

Gregorio batted .332 with 19 doubles, 18 home runs and 69 RBI in 54 games last season. He’s played catcher, first base and corner outfield for the Tigers this fall.

“Just looking at finding a spot, keep grinding at it and do whatever I can to help this team,” said Gregorio. “First couple of weeks, I was catching barrels but they just weren’t finding holes. But talking to Gabe (Gross) helped me keep a clear mind stay with the process and things are starting to fall into place.”

Gregorio said the culture and faith that Thompson and his staff have built into the baseball program played a big part in him choosing Auburn. And he feels great about that decision.

“It feels like a family. I love all these guys here. They’re a bunch of great people that really want to work hard. The work ethic here is unbelievable,” he said. “But man, I’ve been having a lot of fun. We’ve got an extremely talented lineup and the energy here is just different from any of the other school I’ve been at. I’m really excited for the season.”

** Thompson also singled out several position players and pitchers over the last week including sophomore second baseman Chris Rembert. “Guys are working hard but nobody can out-work Chris Rembert. Now that he’s a leader in his second year, I think that’s powerful for the team.”

** Other standouts in the three games include outfielder Bristol Carter, catcher Chase Fralick, right-hander pitchers Jett Johnson and Andreas Alvarez, and left-handers Garrett Brewer and Griffin Graves, who could be moving from the bullpen to a starting role.

“We looked at (Graves) in a start because the fastball has good life, good hop, good ride, good survivability. And he didn’t let us down. He was able to get a few innings.”

** Auburn will hold squad games Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, and then have a rehearsal practice on Friday for the exhibition game against the Savannah Bananas. First pitch Saturday night at Plainsman Park is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and it will be televised on YouTube.