Day two of the MLB draft has been busy for the Auburn Tigers as several members of its 2026 roster have been selected.
The latest player from Auburn’s 2026 team to be selected in the MLB draft is Ryan Hetzler, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the seventh round, going No. 199 overall with a slot value of $314.30 thousand. He is the third Auburn Tiger taken in the MLB draft and the second pitcher, joining Alex Petrovic, who was selected one round earlier by the New York Mets.
Hetzler, a native of Corona, California, played two seasons at Auburn, where he served as the team’s primary closer. In two seasons on the Plains, Hetzler recorded 11 saves in 39 appearances. He logged a career-best eight saves in 2025 over 35 innings. His save total decreased to three in 2026, but his strikeouts and innings pitched both increased. Over 37 innings, Hetzler struck out 38 batters and walked only five.
Hetzler was always reliable out of the bullpen for Auburn, but he was instrumental in preserving the bullpen in several games late in the season. He tossed five innings of relief against Arkansas in the SEC Tournament and pitched four innings against Milwaukee in the Auburn Regional on May 31.
Over three seasons between his time at California Baptist and Auburn, Hetzler recorded 15 saves and posted an 11-4 record and a 2.93 ERA.
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