The Auburn Tigers are looking to supplement their talented young core through the transfer portal, and they have landed a veteran infielder. Former Iowa Hawkeye Ben Swails committed to the Tigers on Saturday, announcing the news on social media.
Swails spent the past four seasons at Iowa and is entering his final season of eligibility. He has improved his production each season, redshirting in 2023 before seeing limited action in 2024, earning a starting role in 2025, and breaking out in 2026.
While he was limited to just 30 starts and 43 appearances in 2026 due to injuries, he set numerous career records and would have set more had he been able to play a full season. He hit .343 with five home runs and nine doubles, finishing with a .444 on-base percentage and a .590 slugging percentage.
The Tiffin, Iowa, native had 18 RBI, 34 runs, and 15 walks to 28 strikeouts. His 1.034 OPS is the best of his career by nearly .200 points, and he will look to continue improving his play in the SEC. Swails has made just four errors in his career, having a .976 fielding percentage. While he has not run often, he has stolen 19 bases in 22 attempts.
He became a regular in the lineup for Iowa in 2025 and took advantage of the opportunity, hitting .307 in 41 games with 35 starts. He had two doubles, nine home runs, 14 RBI, and 29 runs scored. He finished with a .406 on-base percentage and a .429 slugging percentage, walking 18 times and striking out 38 times.
Swails is the third transfer that the Tigers have landed this offseason and the second position player, joining outfielder John Beverley. Reliever Zach Stevens completes the class for Auburn, with more additions expected to come.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn Baseball: Iowa transfer Ben Swails commits to Tigers
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