Former Auburn standout and junior college recruiting coordinator Niko Buentello has been named an assistant coach on the Georgia State baseball coaching staff, head coach Brad Stromdahl announced.
 
Buentello comes to GSU from Wallace Community College in Dothan, Ala., where he served as hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. During his four years at Wallace, he helped the Govs to a record 141-40 losses, while developing 41 student athletes who went on to play Division I baseball and four who were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. During Buentello's tenure, the Govs hit .339 or higher each year while scoring at least 420 runs each season.
 
"Niko is an outstanding individual for our organization as he brings with him a wealth of experience as a player, coach and former recruiter," Stromdahl said. "I am thrilled to watch our development on and off the field as he will guide multiple aspects within our program to new heights."
 
Buentello's hiring completes Stromdahl's coaching staff for 2021-22, joining assistant coaches Matt Taylor, who enters his third season as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, and Lars Davis, also in his first season.
 
Buentello began his playing career at Oklahoma before transferring to Grayson College to finish his sophomore season. After one year in the junior college ranks, Buentello finished his college career at Auburn. As a junior in the Southeastern Conference, he hit .332 with 11 home runs and 55 runs batted in. Following that season enough to be selected in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers.
 
The Dallas, Texas, native earned his bachelor's degree in public administration from Auburn in 2017.