Category: Tar Heels in MLB

Former 2-way UNC baseball standout starting Game 4 of the World Series

When the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the New York Yankees in World Series action tonight, there’ll be a former UNC baseball standout on the mound.

There’s been a ton of baseball talent to don a North Carolina Tar Heels uniform over the years.

Some notable names you might recognize are Brian Roberts, Andrew Miller and Vance Honeycutt. There’s All-Stars dating back much further, including former head coach Mike Fox.

One of those former standouts will be repping UNC on the biggest stage of professional baseball tonight.

Ben Casparius, a former 2-way player who spent his 2018 and 2019 college baseball seasons in Chapel Hill, will start Game 4 of the World Series tonight.

Casparius has a golden chance to help his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates clinch a 4-game sweep against the New York Yankees, who are MLB’s historically most-decorated team with 27 championships.

With Casparius only appearing in three regular season games for LA, why does he start Game 4 of the Fall Classic?

If I had to guess, it’s for one reason: Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wants tonight to be a bullpen game. That’s become a common practice in recent seasons, with the Tampa Bay Rays popularizing “openers” who typically pitch out of the bullpen.

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Casparius has showcased his viability as a reliable bullpen arm for the NL West Champs in limited action, recording a 2-0 record, 2.16 earned run average and 12 strikeouts across 8 1/3 innings. That success has carried over to the postseason, in which Casparius is 1-0 with four strikeouts, through 4 1/3 shutout innings.

On the mound at North Carolina, Casparius compiled a 1-0 record across 27 innings in 22 appearances, allowed just 10 runs on 21 hits, struck out 23 batters.

At the plate as a Diamond Heel, Casparius hit for a career .260 average with 35 hits, 24 RBIs and nine runs.

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Former 2-way Diamond Heel Ben Casparius called up to Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers just made one former Diamond Heel’s childhood dreams come true on Sunday, Aug. 18.

The UNC baseball program is amongst the best in college baseball. Despite not winning a College World Series, North Carolina consistently competes atop the ACC and has players selected in the MLB Draft.

In the case of this article, we’re talking about pitcher/infielder Ben Casparius, who was a Diamond Heel in both 2018 and 2019. Casparius finished his collegiate career out at UConn, later being chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers 162nd overall (fifth round) in the 2021 MLB Draft.

After nearly three full seasons in the minor leagues, Casparius’ dreams came true on Sunday, Aug. 18, with the Dodgers calling him up to the major leagues.

Casparius was best known at UNC for his 2018 College World Series performance, when he drove in three runs during North Carolina’s 8-6 victory over Oregon State. If you’ve followed Diamond Heels baseball in the 21st century, you know a UNC victory over the Beavers is rare like snow in the south.

Casparius finished his 2018 freshman season with a 1-0 win-loss record, 1.69 earned run average, a save, nine strikeouts and just two runs – on four hits allowed – in 16 1/3 innings pitched. Casparius also hit .316 at the plate in 2018, adding 18 hits (including three doubles and a triple) and 15 RBIs.

2019 wasn’t as kind to Casparius, as he recorded a 4.41 ERA and just a .179 batting average. Casparius then thrived upon transferring back to UConn, leading the Huskies and the Big East Conference with eight wins and 127 pitching strikeouts.

Here’s to hoping Casparius, despite his brief Diamond Heels career, shines for one of baseball’s most storied franchises.

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UNC baseball standout Vance Honeycutt debuts on Baltimore Orioles’ prospect rankings

The Baltimore Orioles chose UNC baseball standout Vance Honeycutt 22nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. Where does Honeycutt debut on Baltimore’s prospect rankings?

The North Carolina Tar Heels took advantage of their loaded baseball roster this spring, with a slew of star veterans and a top-ranked recruiting class leading them to their first College World Series appearance since 2018.

UNC’s greatest success story was star center fielder Vance Honeycutt, who exits Chapel Hill as arguably the greatest player in program history.

Honeycutt’s historic career paid off with an MLB Draft selection, as the Baltimore Orioles added him to their already-loaded farm system with the 22nd overall pick. Honeycutt later signed his first professional contract on Thursday, Aug. 1, making him an official member of Birdland.

Not even a month into being a pro baseball player, Honeycutt already finds himself on Baltimore’s top prospects list. He rings in at fourth overall, just behind Samuel Basallo, Coby Mayo and 2023 first overall pick Jackson Holliday.

Honeycutt became the first player in ACC history to hit 50 career home runs and steal 70 career bases, he won his second consecutive ACC Defensive Player of the Year award, ended his Diamond Heels career with a program-best 65 home runs and was the true definition of clutch, as evidenced by multiple walk-offs in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Honeycutt’s North Carolina career numbers also included a .293 batting average, 205 runs, 203 hits, 170 RBIs and 76 stolen bases.

As of Monday, August 5, Honeycutt was playing on the FCL (Florida Complex League) Orioles. There are no recorded stats for Honeycutt.

How long will Honeycutt play in the minor leagues before his first trip to Camden Yards?

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Vance Honeycutt officially signs with Baltimore Orioles

Vance Honeycutt interviews like a seasoned MLB veteran. Can he play like one, too?

It’s difficult to imagine anyone having a better summer than Vance Honeycutt, the former UNC baseball star who is arguably the greatest player in program history.

Way back in May and June, Honeycutt hit a pair of walk-offs to advance the Diamond Heels further in the NCAA Tournament.

Last month – on Sunday, July 14 to be exact – Honeycutt was the Baltimore Orioles’ 22nd overall (first-round) selection in the 2024 MLB Draft. He gives Baltimore yet another young power-hitting, speedy, Gold Glove-caliber outfielder in an already deep farm system.

The Orioles had until 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 1 to sign Honeycutt – and did so moments before the deadline.

“The Orioles agreed to an over-slot deal of $4 million with Honeycutt,” MLB.com staff wrote. The college outfielder sports some of the strongest tools in the class, but needs to cut down his strikeout rate.”

Honeycutt’s summer got even better after his lucrative signing, as he spoke to media in his first interview as a professional player.

Though he’s a young, 22-year-old rookie, I like to think Honeycutt interviewed like a pro. He just signed, so he hasn’t been assigned to one of Baltimore’s minor league affiliates yet, but I’d imagine he starts with the High-A Aberdeen Ironbirds – like his former teammate Mac Horvath.

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Former UNC baseball standout Mac Horvath traded to Tampa Bay Rays

Mac Horvath put together quite the career at UNC. He was a second-round 2023 MLB Draft Pick, but was recently traded to a new team on Friday.

Before Vance Honeycutt became the featured star on UNC’s baseball roster, there was a promising third baseman by the name of Mac Horvath, who came from Minnesota but played his high school baseball at IMG Academy in Florida.

Horvath actually didn’t play too well in his 2021 freshman campaign, hitting just .227 with only five home runs and 22 RBIs. He started to gain some MLB Draft attention in 2023, though, leading North Carolina to an ACC Tournament Championship by improving to register a .268 batting average, 18 home runs, 53 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.

Horvath saved his best season for 2023, which the Diamond Heels really needed, as he set career highs with a .305 batting average, 24 home runs, 66 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. The Baltimore Orioles were impressed by Horvath’s junior campaign, taking him 53rd overall (second round) in the 2023 MLB Draft.

As the sports world today goes, though, players are constantly moving teams via free agency and trades.

Horvath was subjected to the latter on Friday, July 26, as Baltimore traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Horvath, who was hitting .232 (63-for-271) with nine home runs and 41 RBIs with the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds, will now suit up for the High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods. He joins a team currently tied for first place in the South Atlantic League’s South Division.

If Horvath rises quickly through Tampa Bay’s farm system, which is consistently ranked amongst baseball’s best, he’ll be playing minutes from Boshamer Stadium with the Durham Bulls.

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Three UNC baseball stars ranked amongst Top 100 2025 MLB Draft prospects

Headlined by three potential 2025 MLB Draft picks, the UNC baseball team is in better shape than you might think next season.

The North Carolina Tar Heels carried one of their most talented baseball rosters into last season – and took full advantage of it.

Headlined by an outfield that includes now-MLB draftees Vance Honeycutt, Casey Cook and Anthony Donofrio, UNC advanced to its 12th College World Series. North Carolina won its opening game against ACC rival Virginia, then lost consecutive contests to ACC power Florida State and eventual CWS champion Tennessee.

A highly-touted freshman class also helped the Tar Heels reach college baseball’s ultimate championship. Luke Stevenson started 63 of 64 games behind the plate, while Folger Boaz showed promise as a freshman ace before his season-ending elbow injury.

You also can’t forget about UNC’s shutdown bullpen, with nearly every relief man able to shutdown the opposition’s batting order. North Carolina sported arguably the best Division-I player in Dalton Pence, who was also rewarded with an MLB Draft selection.

The Diamond Heels have a tough task next season, replacing a good portion of their starters, but a particular bullpen arm and the Stevenson-Boaz should help.

Seven months ahead of the next college baseball season, Stevenson (11), Boaz (30) and reliever Cameron Padgett (94) are all ranked amongst D1Baseball’s Top 100 2025 MLB College Draft Prospects.

Stevenson, an offensive-minded catcher, collected a .284 batting average, hit 14 home runs and drove in 58 runners for UNC this past season. Boaz compiled a 3-1 win-loss record before his elbow injury, while Padgett – from Salisbury, NC like Honeycutt – was 1-0 with 20 strikeouts.

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Diamond Heels’ 2024 top hitter, bullpen arm ink professional free agent deals

Two more North Carolina Tar Heels baseball standouts signed with MLB teams on Friday.

The 2024 college baseball season was one to remember for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

UNC brought in one of its best recruiting classes in program history. Returning stars took major jumps, players stepped up in wake of injury and – in a year where over half of the ACC made the NCAA Tournament – North Carolina came out on top with a regular-season championship.

The Diamond Heels didn’t win the ACC Baseball Tournament Championship, but advanced even further – to their first College World Series since 2018. UNC was nearly eliminated from its own regional, but roared back against 2023 CWS champs LSU and advanced to host West Virginia, in the Mountaineers’ first-ever Super Regional.

Going back to that recruiting class, which included transfers and incoming freshman, it was an SEC transfer who ended up being North Carolina’s top hitter.

Parks Harber, who came to Chapel Hill from UGA, led the Diamond Heels with a .343 batting average last year. He was also quite the power threat, hitting 20 home runs (one of two UNC players to do so) and driving in 63 runners.

North Carolina’s bullpen was also a major reason it advanced to the CWS, as you could pick literally anyone to come in and shut down the opposition. In this case, we’re talking about Ben Peterson, the 6’3″ started-turned-reliever senior who finished his year with a 3-2 win-loss record and 4.70 earned run average.

The 2024 MLB Draft also came and went, with six Diamond Heels hearing their names called. Peterson and – surprisingly – Harber didn’t hear their names called.

Peterson and Harber will be playing at the next level, though, as they signed free agent contracts on Friday, July 19.

Harber is the latest slugger to join the storied New York Yankees, who gained their nickname “Bronx Bombers” from their ability to hit home runs at a high clip. Peterson joins the San Francisco Giants.

How long will it take before both are in the major leagues?

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Two key members of UNC pitching staff taken in MLB Draft on Tuesday

Two more Tar Heel baseball players are off the MLB Draft Board.

I’m convinced that if the North Carolina Tar Heels had better starting pitching, they would’ve made a deeper run in the College World Series.

UNC’s first bit of bad news came weeks before its 2024 season started, when it learned senior pitcher Jake Knapp would miss the year with a UCL (elbow) tear. North thought it initially had a freshman ace in Folger Boaz, then he started to struggle and – later – missed the season’s remainder with a left elbow injury.

With the loss of Knapp and Boaz, though, came opportunity. Two junior Diamond Heel pitchers, by the names of Shea Sprague and Aidan Haugh, took full advantage of their opportunities.

Sprague and Haugh became North Carolina’s number two and three starters. Sprague ended his season with a 3-2 record, 4.23 earned run average and 70 strikeouts, which was second most on the team. Haugh compiled a 4-3 record, with his four victories tied for fourth-most on UNC.

It would be great to have the pair back in Chapel Hill next season, but they’ll be elsewhere – for good reason.

On Tuesday, July 16, Sprague and Haugh were picked in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Sprague, originally from Massachusetts, will play professional baseball for his hometown Red Sox.

Haugh, picked three rounds later, heads up to the Twin Cities and joins a promising AL Central squad.

It’d be a full-circle moment if the pair of former Diamond Heels teammates faced off in the future. Are they the last two to go from North Carolina?

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Former conference rivals will be Vance Honeycutt’s new teammates

Is there an ACC baseball pipeline to the Baltimore Orioles?

If you thought the Baltimore Orioles have a thing for UNC baseball players, you’re correct.

Baltimore select Diamond Heels all-time great Vance Honeycutt with the 22nd overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft. Last year, the Orioles took North Carolina third baseman Mac Horvath 53rd overall.

Both Honeycutt and Horvath played together during the 2022 and 2023 UNC campaigns, with the duo bringing an ACC Championship to Chapel Hill in 2022. Horvath is now with the Aberdeen Ironbirds, Baltimore’s High-A affiliate, while Honeycutt waits his assignment.

It’s not just Diamond Heels players the Orioles seemingly have an affinity for.

With Baltimore’s second and third picks in the 2024 MLB Draft, they chose Virginia shortstop Griff O’Ferrall (32nd overall) and catcher Ethan Anderson (61st overall).

The Honeycutt selection is obviously a big deal, but what connection do O’Ferrall and Anderson have to UNC?

Honeycutt, O’Ferrall and Anderson all played against each other in the opening game of the College World Series.

Honeycutt was the star of North Carolina-UVA, walking things off with a 2-out single in the ninth inning and delivering the Diamond Heels a 3-2 victory. O’Ferrall and Anderson hit a combined 1-for-7, with Anderson scoring the Cavaliers’ first run and O’Ferrall driving in their second.

If I had to bet anything, there’ll be a bit of friendly trash talk between the Orioles’ new trio.

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Anthony Donofrio selected by Seattle Mariners

The Pacific Northwest called UNC’s starting right fielder in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Even though the UNC baseball team only had him for one season, Anthony Donofrio put together quite the special year.

Donofrio, who transferred in from Quinnipiac for his final year of college eligibility, immediately made an impact in Chapel Hill with his speed (two stolen bases in opening series). As the Diamond Heels’ season progressed, Donofrio became one of North Carolina’s top hitters, finishing third-best on the team with a .326 batting average.

Like his outfield counterparts in Vance Honeycutt and Casey Cook, Donofrio also had quite the glove. Even with all the tools Donofrio had in his bag, would he play himself into an MLB Draft selection?

Any team can use a speedy, contact-hitting outfielder with a solid glove, especially when that outfielder has a bit of pop (seven home runs, 53 RBIs).

Going back to that earlier question: yes, Donofrio played himself into an MLB Draft choice.

On Monday, July 15, the Seattle Mariners picked Donofrio in the 10th round of the MLB Draft.

Though he struggled in the College World Series, Donofrio mashed a combined, lights-out 9-for-17 in the Chapel Hill Regional and first game of the Chapel Hill Super Regional. His production will be missed, as UNC will need to replace its entire starting outfield.

I’m excited that Donofrio gets this opportunity to play at the next level. We wish him the best!

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