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Baltimore Orioles Prospect Poised for Breakout After Disappointing 2025

· Yahoo Sports

The Baltimore Orioles have always been great at drafting, as that's what has gotten them from a bottom of the barrel squad to rising contenders. 

President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias has drafted players such as Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and Dylan Beavers all in the competitive balance round. However, his first-round draft picks as of late have not been stellar. Heston Kjerstad, Colton Cowser, Enrique Bradfield Jr. and now Vance Honeycutt have disappointed throughout their professional playing careers (with maybe a small exception to Cowser). 

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However, one player has gotten off to a historic start in spring training. That player being none other than outfielder Vance HoneycuttBalt

Baltimore Orioles Outfield Prospect Vance Honeycutt | © Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

Honeycutt (22), was drafted 22nd overall by Baltimore in the 2023 MLB Draft due to his elite defensive abilities and potential five-tool upside. Honeycutt is a two-home ACC Defensive Player of the Year award winner. However, Honeycutt's biggest flaw is his lack of bat-to-ball skills, as he strikes out at an extremely high rate. 

Heading into the 2025 season, Honeycutt was Baltimore's fifth ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. However, his strikeout problem was as prominent as ever, leading to one extremely disappointing 2025 campaign. 

Honeycutt appeared in 101 games at High-A Aberdeen in 2025, where he had a disastrous .171/.284/.275 slash-line in 374 at-bats. The former first-round pick has significantly struggled in adjusting to professional pitching -- or has he? 

Baltimore decided to give Honeycutt a spot on their 40-man roster and an invitation to 2026 spring training. However, Honeycutt understands that he will have a limited amount of at-bats due to the more proven MLB ready guys in the organization. 

However, Honeycutt has had one of the greatest starts to a spring training in MLB history. 

In only six plate appearances , Honeycutt has hit FOUR home runs (all in his first four at-bats) while walking once and hitting a single. Honeycutt has a ridiculous 1.000/1.000/3.400 slash-line which is good for a 4.400 OPS. 

I know it's a tiny sample size, but Honeycutt has looked like a completely different player; almost like a man possessed if you asked me. The approach and plate discipline are different, as he's displayed patience and the ability to work the count until he gets a pitch that he likes. The power has always been there for Honeycutt, but he hasn't been able to display it in the past due to strikeout issues, but it's on full display this spring. 

I don't expect Honeycutt to have a 4.400 OPS for the reminder of spring training, but I do believe he should be rewarded with a few starts in the outfield because you don't see this type of production very often from a 22 year-old. 

Honeycutt has a chance to make Baltimore's opening day roster, but it is extremely slim. However, this fantastic start should give the fans and front office hope that the former first-round pick can turn it around in 2026, and become a mainstay in Baltimore's future plans if he can proceed in the minors. 

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