In this episode of On the Clock, Jared and Tyler interview Ike Irish, a standout player from Auburn Tigers baseball and a top 2025 MLB Draft prospect. Ike shares his journey from middle school to playing for Auburn, starting with his days on the Motor City Hit Dogs, a travel team full of talent. His amateur career saw him visiting colleges early on, but it wasn’t until he found his way to Auburn that he truly felt at home. He speaks fondly of his time at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, a Michigan prep school where he honed his skills alongside future Division I players, which he believes set him up for success at the collegiate level.
Ike talks about the ups and downs of his freshman year at Auburn, from battling mono to finding his stride at the plate. His summer playing in the Cape Cod League helped refine his game, particularly focusing on hitting the ball to the pull side and adjusting his stance. Ike also opens up about overcoming injuries, including a wrist issue that plagued him during his sophomore season, and how he worked through those challenges with the support of his coaches and teammates.
In the end, we shift to his outlook on the future; Ike emphasizes his desire to improve defensively, particularly in receiving low pitches as a catcher, and his goal to steal more bases. Reflecting on his development, he expresses gratitude for the Auburn coaching staff, noting how much they’ve contributed to his growth. We conclude with fun rapid-fire questions, where Ike talks about his favorite home run, his walk-up song choices, and his love for bowling and golfing as ways to decompress from the intensity of baseball.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/68tlVfrC7yIr1x0IW43H2d?si=qfMiuNLfR_y1xI4em0lYDQ