Auburn-, Ala.— LaGrange, Georgia native and Auburn baseball’s #9, Ryan Bliss, reflects on his junior season and looks forward to the upcoming MLB draft.
“It wasn’t the goal we set out for, but it was a lesson learned,” he said. “We learned how to battle through adversity and when things are not going good, how to come out every day and want and expect to win. That was a big thing that we upperclassmen tried to hold together, come to the field every day and try to win.”
Despite the team’s struggle, Bliss was chosen as a second-team All-American, which makes him the fourth ever two-time All-American to emerge from the Auburn Baseball program.
Bliss said he met his personal offensive goals this season and those numbers pleased him.
The 21-year-old shortstop has begun his off-season training and is expected to go in the second round of the 2021 MLB draft.
Bliss expressed gratitude to the Auburn community and fanbase.
“I just want to say thank you so much for everything, for all the support you guys have given me over the years, it’s been amazing, I felt right at home as soon as I stepped on campus,” he said. “I would not want to be anywhere else but Auburn and I will forever be an Auburn man. I love the community. I love the atmosphere. And just thank you, thank you, thank you for everything. I love you guys and War Eagle.”
From starting all 66 games his freshman season to his final at-bat in Hoover versus Ole Miss on Day 1 of the SEC tournament, Bliss has been an invaluable asset to the Auburn Baseball program.
He finished the 2021 season with 15 home runs and 45 RBIs.
