Auburn, facing the challenge of limited roster space, embarked on a unique recruiting journey in 2025. Despite signing a smaller class, the Tigers still managed to assemble a group with an abundance of star power. Three players, ranked by Perfect Game among the top 100 nationally, added significant value to the team.

Assistant Coach's Perspective

AU assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Karl Nonemaker emphasized the quality of the signees. "We signed some really good players, some guys that were coveted around the country," he said. Auburn's special brand allowed them to attract talent from different regions, such as California (Ethin Bingaman), Virginia (Clayton Armah), and Ohio (Taylor Belza). These players are regarded as top-notch in America.

Bingaman - A Two-Way Talent

The Tigers' leading signee, Bingaman, will have the opportunity to shine as a two-way player. As a junior at Redlands High, he was 4-4 with a 1.87 ERA and an impressive 98 strikeouts in 52.1 innings. At the plate, he batted.506 with nine doubles, seven home runs, and 29 RBI. Bingaman is ranked the nation's No. 22 prospect by Perfect Game. "He's been a really good hitter," said Nonemaker. "He's kind of in the mold of a Christian Chatterton-type pitcher. Six-foot righty, good carry on his fastball, good breaking ball. And it seems like every tournament he's hitting in the three-hole, four-hole for one of the best teams."

Armah - A Talented Right-Hander

Armah, a 6-foot-4 talented right-handed pitcher, is ranked No. 97. He possesses great character and is highly competitive. "He's one of those tall, beautiful, projectable, athletic bodies. He's at a really good high school program and has been in big games and played high-level competition in the summer. I like everything about him," added Nonemaker.

Belza - A Power-Hitting Catcher

Belza, a left-handed hitting catcher ranked No. 100, also has the potential to make an early impact. "Belza is a left-handed hitting catcher. He's got enough bat kinda like Ike does, where if he's not catching, he can probably help you if he's in the outfield. Versatile," said Nonemaker.

Alabama-Bred Signees

The remaining six signees are from Alabama. Outfielder Wade Shelley from Headland and shortstop Fleming Hall from Trinity are among them. Hall batted.375 as a junior with 10 doubles, five home runs, and 31 RBI. Two more big lineup additions are infielder Caiden Combs from Gardendale and infielder Mason McCraine from Glenwood. Combs batted.520 with 13 doubles, seven home runs, and 54 RBI as a junior. McCraine was equally impressive, batting.534 with 24 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, and 45 RBI. McCraine also had a 7-1 record on the mound with a 1.49 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 54.0 innings, making him a potential two-way player.

Adding to the Pitching Staff

Auburn added two more talented arms to go along with Armah. Right-hander LJ Cormier from Sipsey Valley and right-hander Brady Wilson from Heritage Christian in Decatur bring additional pitching depth. Cormier is the son of former Alabama and MLB pitcher Lance Cormier.With Auburn's entire 2024 class enrolling this fall and rosters expected to reduce, the 2025 class had limited spots available. Despite being ranked 32nd nationally by Perfect Game, all but one of the teams above Auburn have 10 or more signees. "There's some bat speed and there's some big, athletic pitchers," said Nonemaker. "We're rooting for everyone of them to have a great senior season, develop and be ready to come in and help. You're not going to have developmental guys anymore."

North Davidson senior pitcher Justin Mabe and Oak Grove senior outfielder Kaden Hart have a long history of facing off against each other. Their paths have crossed through travel baseball, showcases, and on the high school stage. These two talented athletes have now taken their baseball careers to the next level by signing scholarships to Atlantic Coast Conference schools. This marks a new chapter in their lives as they will continue to be connected on the collegiate level.

Two Baseball Stars' Path to Collegiate Success

History of Rivalry

For years, Justin Mabe and Kaden Hart have been fierce competitors. Their battles on the baseball field have been intense, with each striving to come out on top. Whether it was in travel baseball leagues or during showcases, they always gave their all. This competitive spirit has carried over to the high school level, where they have faced off numerous times, adding to the excitement of the games.

Signing Scholarships

Recently, both Justin Mabe and Kaden Hart achieved a significant milestone by signing scholarships to Atlantic Coast Conference schools. This is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and talent. The Atlantic Coast Conference is known for its high level of competition and excellent baseball programs. By signing with these schools, they have opened up new opportunities and a chance to continue pursuing their dreams of playing college baseball.

Collegiate Connection

Now that they have signed scholarships to different schools within the Atlantic Coast Conference, Justin Mabe and Kaden Hart will stay connected on the collegiate level. They will be able to share their experiences, support each other, and continue to grow as baseball players. This connection will not only benefit them individually but also add to the rich history of baseball in the Atlantic Coast Conference.