Ava Ratliff is Auburn’s freshman catcher with real pop and clutch-factor swagger
In the 2026 season, Ava Ratliff has emerged as a key Auburn bat, delivering power in big moments — including a go-ahead three-run homer in the SEC Tournament — while also bringing strong defensive value behind the plate as a catcher. She arrived with a legit resume from Bedford North Lawrence, where she hit .515 with 69 home runs and a .997 fielding percentage, so the tools are not a mystery: power, arm, toughness, and poise. She looks like a fit for teams that want a run-producing, high-energy catcher who can swing momentum fast.
