The future of the Auburn baseball program remains uncertain.

The university has made progress in its coaching search, but still hasn’t filled the vacancy left when former coach Tom Slater resigned May 17. AU has contacted several candidates and could make a hire soon.

But the vacancy at the top isn’t the only question mark hovering over the baseball team.

The Major League Baseball draft, which begins today, could also have a big-time impact on next year’s team.

Several current Tigers, led by junior outfielder Mike Bianucci, are on major league teams’ radar. But at least one of Auburn’s high-school signees will be off the board before any current players are selected.

High-school seniors, juniors and seniors at four-year colleges and all junior-college players are eligible for the draft.

Left-hander Tyler Stovall of Hokes Bluff signed with AU in the fall. But most observers expect Stovall to pass up college: He is projected as a first-round pick.

Last season proved how important a recruit’s decision can be: First baseman Hunter Morris, one of the state’s top prospects, turned down MLB money to sign with Auburn.

Morris, a second-round pick of the Red Sox, led Auburn in almost every offensive category and was the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year.

Bianucci, meanwhile, is rated the state’s No. 3 prospect by Baseball America. Stovall is No. 2, behind Alabama football signee Destin Hood.

Bianucci, a junior, hit .320 with 13 home runs last season, giving him 35 for his career.

Bianucci was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 23rd round of last year’s draft — he was a draft-eligible sophomore — but returned to school. This year, he is expected to be taken higher and is likely to pass up his senior season.

Relievers Evan Crawford and Bryan Woodall, right-hander Luke Greinke and shortstop Matt Hall, all juniors, are also expected to be selected during the 50-round draft, which spans today and Friday. Sophomore right-hander Taylor Thompson, who is draft-eligible because he is older than most of his classmates, could also be drafted in the middle rounds.

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