Baltimore Orioles 2024 MLB Draft Report Card

Best Pure Hitter: Catcher Ethan Anderson (2) hit well over .300 in his career with Virginia and walked more than he struck out in the 2023 and 2024 seasons with an excellent 90% in-zone contact in 2024. The Orioles are high on his pure hitting ability. Virginia teammate and shortstop Griff O’Ferrall (PPI) could be an above-average pure hitter in his own right. 

Best Power Hitter: Outfielder Vance Honeycutt (1) has easy plus raw power and managed double-digit home runs totals in each season with North Carolina. He finished with 65 career home runs, which set a new UNC record and is fourth-most in ACC history.

Fastest Runner: Honeycutt (1) was one of the most exciting power/speed combinations in the draft class and is a 65-grade runner who is a consistent threat to steal bases and can cover tons of ground in the outfield. He finished his career with 76 stolen bases at an 85.4% success rate.

Best Defensive Player: Honeycutt (1) was one of the only players in the class to earn 70-grade defensive evaluations. His speed and athleticism pairs excellently in center field along with his instincts and route running ability. He was a two-time ACC defensive player of the year after winning the award in 2023 and 2024.

Best Fastball: Righthander Chase Allsup (4) averaged 95 mph with his four-seam fastball this spring and has run the pitch up to 100 mph. He throws it with solid riding life from a taller-than-average release height. 

Best Secondary Pitch: Allsup (4) also takes this category thanks to a mid-80s slider that helped him generate nearly a 40% miss rate last spring. It’s a hard breaking ball that will get up to 90 mph and features solid diving life down and to the glove side. Allsup is one of 12 pitchers in the 2024 class we believe could move quickly next year. 

Best Pro Debut: Outfielder Austin Overn (3) didn’t have the greatest spring season with USC, but he elevated his stock late in the draft cycle after performing well in the Cape Cod League, then hit .280/.398/.467 with three triples, five doubles and 16 stolen bases in 21 games between Low-A Delmarva and High-A Aberdeen in his pro debut.

Best Athlete: Both Overn (3) and Honeycutt (1) are standout athletes and former two-sport athletes who excelled at varying degrees on the football field, though Honeycutt’s power-speed combination and size perhaps gives him the slight edge if we have to pick a single player. 

Most Intriguing Background: Shortstop DJ Layton’s (6) grandfather, Clifford Layton, is a member of the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame.

Closest To The Majors: O’Ferrall (PPI) has always been praised for his instincts, reliability and the well-rounded nature of his game. He pairs contact skills at the plate with reliable glovework in the field and generally makes a positive impact on the game in all facets. That’s a profile that could move rapidly.

Best Day Three Pick (Or NDFA): The Orioles signed outfielder Nate George (16) for $455,000 on the third day of the draft. George ranked as the No. 272 player in the class and features 70-grade speed, physicality and a multi-sport background that includes football and track.