Orioles Believe They Can Get The Best Out Of Vance Honeycutt
Since the Orioles moved the left field wall at Camden Yards back ahead of the 2022 season, they benefited greatly from having essentially a second center fielder in Austin Hays and now Colton Cowser patrolling left field alongside Cedric Mullins in center.
That means their top pick in the 2024 draft, North Carolina center fielder Vance Honeycutt, can be even more valuable if he reaches his full potential.
Baltimore’s draft preference seems intentional.
The Orioles have hammered the athletic college outfielder demographic in recent drafts, making Enrique Bradfield Jr. their first-round pick in 2023 and selecting Dylan Beavers and Jud Fabian in 2022.
Asked whether Bradfield or Honeycutt was the better defender, Orioles vice president of player development and domestic scouting Matt Blood said there was no choice to be made.
“They’re both fantastic defensive players,” Blood said. “It’s sort of like going to a really nice restaurant and trying to choose between the best two things on the menu . . . They’re both a lot of fun to watch play out there.”
The Orioles see significant potential to improve Honeycutt’s contact ability through their progressive player development tactics and help him get more out of his impressive raw power. If they’re able to do that, there’s potential for an impact big leaguer who will feel like a steal at No. 22 overall.
Blood, though, would draw no comparisons.
“He can do so many things at a very high level,” Blood said. “He is his own unique player and can just impact the game both offensively at the plate, on the bases, and on the defensive side as well.”
Honeycutt said he is excited to join an organization that since Mike Elias took over in 2019 has drafted and developed three all-stars in Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg and could have a second Rookie of the Year this year in Cowser.
“Obviously, I heard nothing but great things about the player development, and those guys who have come through the system,” Honeycutt said, “so it’s super exciting to have an opportunity to be able to do that.”
