Julien cracks Auburn's All-Decade team

ABC and Junior National alum Edouard Julien (Quebec City, Que.), who’s now in the Minnesota Twins organization, has been named the DH on Auburn’s All-Decade Team. Photo: Auburn Athletics

May 29, 2020

Official Auburn Athletics News Release

AUBURN, Ala. - Following a period of fan voting this week, Auburn baseball officially announced its 2010-19 All-Decade Team Friday. The 18-member team consists of five All-Americans, seven ABCA All-South Region honorees, 14 All-SEC performers - including one SEC Player of the Year, two first-round draft picks - including the No. 1 overall pick, and two current big leaguers.

Starting pitchers: Tanner Burns, Grant Dayton, Casey Mize, Keegan Thompson
Relief pitchers: Cody Greenhill, Austin Hubbard
Catcher: Blake Logan
First base: Garrett Cooper, Hunter Morris
Second base: Ryan Bliss
Third base: Dan Gamache
Shortstop: Casey McElroy
Outfield: Brian Fletcher, Anfernee Grier, Trent Mummey, Jonah Todd
Designated hitter: Edouard Julien
Utility player: Jordan Ebert

Designated hitter

Edouard Julien (2018-19) - 127 GP/124 GS, .266, 99 R, 118 H, 21 2B, 27 HR, 126 RBI

Despite playing just two seasons, Julien hit three more homers and drove in 20 more runs than any other Auburn player from 2010-19. His 126 RBI in the two-year span were also the most in the SEC during the time. After breaking Frank Thomas' freshman program record and leading the SEC with 69 RBI in 2018, The Canadian slugger was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, Second Team ABCA All-South Region and a Freshman All-American by five publications. His 17 home runs in 2018 were tied for second among freshman nationally and the most by an Auburn player since 2010. Julien led Auburn in home runs and RBI for the second straight season in 2019 and helped lead the Tigers to the program's first College World Series appearance since 1997.

Starting pitchers

Tanner Burns (2018-19) - 11-8, 2.92 ERA, 33 APP/32 GS, 166.1 IP, 138 H, 60 BB, 178 K

One of the most decorated recruits in program history, Burns cracked Auburn's starting rotation Opening Weekend of 2018 and ultimately started every weekend during his freshman campaign. He ranked 12th among freshmen nationally with a 3.01 ERA en route to being named a Freshmen All-American and SEC All-Freshmen Team honoree. The Decatur, Alabama, native followed it up as a sophomore by matching the single-game strikeout record with 15 vs. Cincinnati and became the second Auburn pitcher since 2000 to strike out 100 or more batters in a single season. Burns helped lead Auburn to its first College World Series appearance since 1997 and went on to be named the 25th All-American in program history. His 32 starts in two seasons are the third most by an Auburn pitcher during the decade – trailing Keegan Thompson and Casey Mize.

Grant Dayton (2010) - 8-3, 4.36 ERA, 16 APP/15 GS, 95 IP, 101 H 19 BB, 69 K

Dayton's junior year in 2010 was his best in an Auburn uniform as he not only posted career highs in starts, wins and innings pitched, but also helped lead Auburn to its first SEC West Championship since 1995. The Huntsville, Alabama, native led the Tigers in wins, innings and strikeouts while ranking second on the team in ERA. He was named Second Team All-SEC before being drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 11th round of the 2010 MLB Draft. Dayton eventually became the 49th former Tiger to make his MLB debut as he broke through with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016.

Casey Mize (2016-18) - 20-13, 2.96 ERA, 46 APP/36 GS, 267.1 IP, 219 H, 43 BB, 324 K

Arguably the most decorated pitcher in program history, Mize earned a laundry list of accolades in his Auburn career, including becoming just the second two-time All-American and consensus All-American in program history in 2018. After leading the league and ranking third in the country with 156 strikeouts as a junior, the Springville, Alabama, native became the first Auburn pitcher since 2000 to be named First Team All-SEC. He was also named the NCBWA District III Co-Player of the Year and a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy. During his junior season, Mize turned in the ninth no-hitter in program history vs. Northeastern and matched the program record with 15 strikeouts in a complete-game vs. Vanderbilt. He led Auburn pitchers in wins, complete games and innings pitched and struck out 114 more batters than any other hurler during the decade. The right-hander finished his Auburn career fourth on the all-time strikeout list and went on to become Auburn's first No. 1 overall pick.

Keegan Thompson (2014-17) - 19-10, 2.46 ERA, 41 PP/38 GS, 252.2 IP, 189 H, 56 BB, 210 K

Another highly-touted recruit, Thompson made an instant impact for the Tigers as a freshman in 2014, leading the team in ERA and strikeouts en route to becoming a Freshmen All-American and SEC All-Freshman Team performer. The Cullman, Alabama, native never posted an ERA higher than 3.10 in his three seasons on The Plains and finished his career ranked tied for sixth in program history with a 2.46 mark. He was a two-time member of the Golden Spikes Watch List and, coming off an elbow injury, was named the Tigers' Opening Day starter in 2017. Thompson's 38 starts were the most by an Auburn pitcher during the decade, and he ranked second behind Mize in wins, complete games, innings pitched and strikeouts. His 2.46 ERA was also the third best during the time frame, including the lowest by a pitcher with 100 or more innings. Thompson went on to be selected by the Chicago Cubs in the third round (No. 105 overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft, becoming the highest Auburn pitcher taken in the draft since 2004.
Relief pitchers

Cody Greenhill (2018-19) - 8-6, 2.87 ERA, 49 APP, 17 SV, 116 IP, 106 H, 37 BB, 99 K

Greenhill burst onto the scene with Burns and company as a freshman in 2018 and has played an integral role out of Auburn's bullpen since. The Russellville, Alabama, native led the team with a 2.30 ERA in 21 appearances and 58.2 innings pitched en route to being named a Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman Team performer in 2018. He followed it up by ranking tied for second in the SEC with 12 saves as a sophomore, tying for the most saves by an Auburn pitcher in a single season since 2005. Greenhill recorded 17 saves in his first two seasons in an Auburn uniform and ranks sixth in program history in the category. His 17 saves are three more than any other Auburn pitcher during the decade, and his 2.87 ERA is the second best among pitchers with 100 or more innings. Greenhill earned the win in Auburn's 2018 regional championship game and recorded the final five outs in the decisive game three of the 2019 super regional to send the Tigers to the College World Series for the first time since 1997.

Austin Hubbard (2010) - 6-2, 2.44 ERA, 26 APP, 10 SV, 48 IP, 44 H, 23 BB, 60 K

Hubbard wrapped up a four-year career on The Plains by leading the team in ERA and tying for the team lead in appearances in 2010. He posted career bests in ERA, wins, appearances, innings and strikeouts as a senior. Ten of Hubbard's 22 career saves, which ranks third in program history, came as he helped lead the Tigers to the 2010 SEC West Championship. His 10 saves were tied for the fourth most in the SEC that season. The Birmingham, Alabama, native earned the save in Auburn's regional opener vs. Jacksonville State and picked up the win in a win-or-go-home contest against Clemson later that weekend. He joins Gregg Olson as the only two Auburn relievers to turn in 10 or more saves in back-to-back seasons.
Catcher

Blake Logan (2014-17) - 204 GP/156 GS, .262, 85 R, 157 H, 40 2B, 6 HR, 100 RBI, 33 CSB

Logan appeared in 42 or more games in each of his four seasons on The Plains and started behind the plate in 116 contests in his career. The Muscle Shoals, Alabama, native ranked in the top two on the team in doubles in 2015-16 and capped off his career as Auburn's first SEC All-Tournament Team honoree since 2003. Logan, who was also named to the 2017 Johnny Bench Award Watch List, finished his career ranked sixth in program history by throwing out 33 would-be base stealers and turned in a .993 career fielding percentage. He remained with the program to serve as a student-assistant and is currently the team's director of player development.

First base

Garrett Cooper (2012-13) - 105 GP/GS, .340, 66 R, 123 H, 21 2B, 12 HR, 68 RBI

A transfer from El Camino Community College, Cooper made his presence felt in his two seasons in an Auburn uniform. The California native started in 104 career games at first base, including all 56 games during the 2013 season during which he led the league in on-base percentage and ranked in the top 10 in slugging and average en route to being named Second Team All-SEC. Cooper went on to be selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth round of the 2013 MLB Draft and ultimately became the 50th former Auburn Tigers to make his MLB debut, doing so with the New York Yankees in 2017.

Hunter Morris (2010) - .386, 64 GP/GS, 66 R, 105 H, 18 2B, 23 HR, 76 RBI

Morris capped off his Auburn career by turning in one of the most prolific offensive seasons in program history and was ultimately named the 2010 SEC Player of the Year – joining Tim Hudson as the only other Auburn Tiger to earn the distinction. Morris not only led the league in home runs, RBI, total bases and slugging, but also set Auburn's single-season record in home runs and total bases en route to leading the Tigers to the 2010 SEC West Championship. The Huntsville, Alabama, native also led the Tigers in hits, doubles and triples while becoming the only player with 200-plus total bases in a single season. Morris was ultimately named First Team ABCA All-South Region and a First Team All-American by numerous publications. He finished his Auburn career in the top 10 in program history in home runs, extra-base hits and total bases.

Second base

Ryan Bliss (2019) - 66 GP/GS, .281, 50 R, 70 H, 11 2B, 3 HR, 37 RBI, 11 SB

As a freshman, Bliss was the only player on Auburn's 2019 College World Series team to start in every contest. The LaGrange, Georgia, played his best when it mattered most as he led the team in average, runs and stolen bases while ranking second in on-base percentage, tied for second in hits and third in RBI during SEC play. He hit .313 from the start of April on and was ultimately one of three position players named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. Bliss also stole 11 of 13 bases and accounted for 27 double plays. He went 6-for-13 with three runs, a home run and five RBI in the Atlanta Regional and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Third base

Dan Gamache (2010-11) - 110 GP/105 GS, .332, 86 R, 127 H, 28 2B, 13 HR, 66 RBI

After serving as one of Auburn's top options off the bench in 2009, Gamache assumed the everyday role at third base as a sophomore and never looked back. His .365 batting average in 2010 ranked fourth on the team and ninth in the SEC, and he ranked tied for third on the team with 15 doubles. The Rhode Island native was a pivotal performer in Auburn's stretch run to win the SEC West as seven of his eight home runs that year came after Apr. 27. Gamache was also a threat on the base paths and ranked third on the team in stolen bases in 2010. After starting in 53 games as a junior in 2011, Gamache was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth round of the MLB Draft and spent nine years playing professional baseball. He returned to The Plains last fall and currently serves as the team's student assistant.

Shortstop

Casey McElroy (2010-11) - 114 GP/113 GS, .350, 93 R, 155 H, 29 2B, 18 HR, 96 RBI

McElroy manned the shortstop position as soon as he stepped foot on campus in 2009 and ultimately started in at least 55 games in each of his three seasons on The Plains. After playing a key role on Auburn's 2010 SEC West Championship team, McElroy turned in a career year as a junior and earned First Team All-SEC honors. The Orlando, Florida, native led the team in nearly every offensive category including average, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, total bases and slugging percentage. His .372 clip from the plate was good for second best in the SEC, and he also ranked in the top 10 in the league in hits, home runs, RBI, on-base percentage and slugging. His .350 average from 2010-11 is the highest by an Auburn player who played in two or more seasons during the decade, while his 155 hits are the 10th most during the decade and the most by a player who played in two seasons.

Outfield

Brian Fletcher (2010) - 61 GP/GS, .357, 62 R, 90 H, 17 2B, 22 HR, 75 RBI

Fletcher played the Robin to Hunter Morris' Batman during the record-setting 2010 season that saw the Tigers set a program record and lead the NCAA in home runs. Like his teammate, Fletcher was named an All-American by the NCBWA, First Team ABCA All-South Region and First Team All-SEC. The Fayetteville, Georgia, native turned in career highs and ranked second in the SEC in home runs, RBI and total bases – trailing only Morris in the categories. Fletcher also ranked in the top 10 in the league in hits, doubles, and slugging percentage, and his 22 home runs are tied for the second most in Auburn's single-season history. He capped off his career ranked in the top 10 in program history in home runs, RBI and extra-base hits and holds the program record with nine multi-HR performances.

Anfernee Grier (2014-16) - 165 GP/156 GS, .323, 113 R, 207 H, 38 2B, 14 HR, 72 RBI, 35 SB

After seeing action in 47 games and earning 38 starts as a freshman in 2014, Grier led the team in hits in his last two seasons and turned in a collective .343 during the span. He ranked fifth in the SEC in batting average as a junior en route to being named Second Team All-SEC and the program's first All-American since 2010. The Phenix City, Alabama, native also ranked in the top 10 in the league in runs, hits, home runs, total bases, stolen bases, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Grier's 207 hits are the second most by an Auburn player during the decade. He went on to be selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft, becoming the first Auburn position player to be selected in the first round since Josh Donaldson in 2007 and just the fourth position player taken in the first round in program history – joining Donaldson, Gabe Gross and Frank Thomas.

Trent Mummey (2010) - 36 GP/34 GS, .366, 46 R, 56 H, 15 2B, 17 HR, 54 RBI

Despite missing the first seven weeks of the season with an injury, Mummey played arguably the team's biggest role in the 2010 SEC West Championship run as he finished the season third on the team behind Morris and Fletcher in doubles, home runs and RBI. The Pinson, Alabama, native homered in every nine at-bats and averaged 1.5 RBI per game during the season. Had he qualified among hitters nationally, his 1.5 RBI per game would've been just shy of the national leader in the category. Mummey was ultimately named First Team All-SEC and ABCA Second Team All-South Region. He finished his career ranked sixth in program history in home runs and went on to be the first member of the historic 2010 team taken in the MLB Draft as he was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the fourth round.

Jonah Todd (2017) - 63 GP/62 GS, .376, 56 R, 91 H, 13 2B, 37 RBI, 9 SB

Todd was the definition of an instant impact player as he transferred in from Marion Military Institute and his lone season in an Auburn uniform saw him rank second in the SEC in average, third in hits, fifth in on-base percentage and sixth in runs scored en route to being named Second Team All-SEC. Todd manned center field in 62 of 63 games played and committed just one error in 176 chances – good for a .994 fielding percentage and nod on the SEC All-Defensive Team. He went on to be drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth round of the 2017 MLB Draft, marking the program's fourth-highest drafted outfielder since 2005.

Utility player

Jordan Ebert (2013-16) - 218 GP/200 GS, .314, 123 R, 246 H, 28 2B, 9 HR, 106 RBI, 24 SB

Ebert played and started in more games and collected 39 more hits than any other Auburn player during the decade. He also scored the second most runs in an Auburn uniform from 2010-19. The Foley, Alabama, native hit .300 or higher in three of his four seasons on The Plains, including a team-best .353 average as a sophomore in 2014, which ranked second best in the SEC. Ebert also appeared in at least 54 games in each of his four seasons in an Auburn uniform while earning 52 or more starts in three of his four seasons. He finished off his career ranked just outside Auburn's career top 10 in games played, games started and hits.