War Eagle! Auburn lands commitment from Hendersonville’s Hayden Mullins

ZACH WOMBLE - HENDERSONVILLE STANDARD

The Auburn Tigers added a gem to their 2019 baseball class this past week, as Hendersonville left-handed hurler Hayden Mullins committed to the Tigers, he announced via Twitter. Mullins, a junior for the Commandos, says he has found the perfect fit with his Auburn family.

“It was the right fit all around for me both financially and baseball wise,” he told the Hendersonville Standard. “It was by far the best living situation with everything right next to the baseball field. It’s a family there and excited about being able to compete for playing time early in my college career.”

Mullins added his final three schools included Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Auburn.

“They are all very nice schools,” Mullins said. “I honestly have nothing bad to say about any of them. Auburn just felt right. I wanted to stay in the SEC because I feel like it’s the best ball. It’s almost like you’re facing AA competition each week.”

A left-handed pitcher known for his fastball and curve, Mullins is a dime-a-dozen and has been treated that way by his college recruiters.

With a fastball that topped out at 91 this past summer, Mullins knows he has more than one pitch he can count on to get an out.

“I throw four different pitches,” he said. “Fastball, change up, slider, and curve. If I had to get an out, I’d throw the curve ball more often than not, but if I need a strike I’m throwing my fastball; it’s what I’m most confident in.”

Now that the 16-year-old from Hendersonville has one of the biggest decisions of his life out of the way, he can focus on perfecting his craft.

“Just focus on pitching and getting back in shape and ready for my high school season,” Mullins stated. “I want to get better from last season.”

During his sophomore campaign, Mullins garnered First Team All-County honors following a nice season on the mound - 5-1 with 0.70 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 49.3 innings.

Though Mullins knows his hard work has put him in this position to succeed, he says he couldn’t have done it without the love and support of those closest to him.

“Family has played a huge role in my life; they have supported me all the way,” he said. “Coaches are the ones who got me in contact and make this happen. I couldn’t do this without the support of my high school and travel ball coaches.”

This fall, you can catch Mullins on the diamond giving his all for head coach Mike Hendrix and the Commandos.

“It’s awesome playing for coach Hendrix,” he said. “We like to have fun on the field but when we are out there it’s all work. He allows us to have fun playing the game.”

Hendrix has seen Mullins grow from a hopeful freshman to a guy that can be counted on to get the big out.

“First of all, Hayden is a good person,” he said. “He is a very good student and he is a very good left-handed pitcher. I think Auburn is getting a gem and I think he will go down there and be a very good SEC pitcher.”

Mullins has worked hard to get where he is and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by his coaching staff.

“I sat and watched him as a sophomore and in the field house and he just kept working,” Hendrix added. “His command gets better and better on his fast ball and he has a good breaking ball. He has worked his butt off in the weight room and on the field to become the player he is and I think it’s paid off for him.”

When Mullins gets to campus, he says he will stay in the business or marketing field.

“I want this game to take me as far as it can,” he said. “Whether that is pro ball or college I want to play as long as I can.”