Tag: Vance Honeycutt

Vance Honeycutt earns quick promotion in Baltimore Orioles organization

Vance Honeycutt is moving up in the Baltimore Orioles organization.

It didn’t take long for former North Carolina Tar Heels standout Vance Honeycutt to move up in the Baltimore Orioles organization. In fact, it took just eight games.

The franchise announced some roster moves within the organization on Sunday including moving their first-round pick in 2024 up. Honeycutt is going from the low-A Carolina League with the Delmarva Shorebirds to the Aberdeen Ironbirds in the high-A South Atlantic League.

He was one of 2024 Baltimore draft picks to get that promotion here early in September, moving up shortly in their careers. While it’s not a promotion to AA or AAA, it’s still a move up in the organization and has value with that.

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In his short time with the Shorebirds, Honeycutt hit .226 with three RBI’s, a double, and four steals. He also drew four walks and did not commit an error in the game she played in.

With a month left in the season, Honeycutt has the chance to make a good early impression with his new organization. It will be interesting to see where he starts next season with the Orioles.

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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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UNC baseball team adds top-ranked outfielder to 2025 roster

A major reinforcement is coming to the UNC baseball program next year.

How good were the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2024 college baseball season?

So good, each of their starting outfielders – Vance Honeycutt, Casey Cook and Anthony Donofrio – were picked in the MLB Draft.

UNC’s outfielder trio anchored a 2024 ACC Regular Season Championship and a trip to Omaha, Neb. for its first College World Series berth since 2018.

Honeycutt became the first player in ACC history to hit 50 career home runs and steal 70 career bases, Cook enjoyed a massive power surge and led North Carolina with 78 RBIs, while Donofrio finished third amongst Tar Heel hitters in batting average and second in stolen bases.

I’m extremely happy for Honeycutt, Cook and Donofrio, but their departures mean one: UNC has to replace its entire starting outfield in 2025.

While I expect North Carolina to hit the transfer portal hard, plus promote a few reserves to starting roles, there’s a major reinforcement coming to Chapel Hill from high school.

On Tuesday, July 16, Sawyer Black announced his commitment to the Diamond Heels.

Black, who played his high school ball at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, is the top-ranked outfielder in North Carolina. He’s the state’s third-best overall player and 133rd nationally.

According to Tar Heel Tribune, Black led Wesleyan Christian in hitting (.453), on-base percentage (.590), home runs (9), runs (46), hits (39), RBI (40), slugging percentage (.930) and triples (3) while stealing 10 bases in 30 games.

Black will be following former Liberty coach Scott Jackson to Chapel Hill, as Black previously committed to the Flames, before Jackson announced his resignation.

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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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Vance Honeycutt pick second straight year Baltimore Orioles choose from UNC

Mac Horvath and Vance Honeycutt share this unique MLB Draft Distinction.

UNC baseball fans had their eyes glued to the TV on Sunday, July 14, wondering where all-time program great Vance Honeycutt would go in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Early-season mock drafts had Honeycutt going Top 10, while a recent one had him 13th overall to the San Francisco Giants.

After waiting for nearly two hours, Honeycutt went 22nd overall to the Baltimore Orioles. With an NCAA Tournament that included two walk-offs – a home run in Game 1 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional, then a ninth-inning single against Virginia in the College World Series, Honeycutt slipping was a bit surprising.

If you go back and look at Honeycutt’s career numbers, though, he struck out 224 times. More strikeouts are to be expected for power hitters, but that number is concerning.

Regardless, Honeycutt is a steal of the draft based on his selection. He also wasn’t the lone former Tar Heel heading to Baltimore via the MLB Draft.

In the second round of last year’s MLB Draft, the Orioles chose North Carolina third baseman Mac Horvath.

Honeycutt and Horvath played together in each of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, sharing an ACC Baseball Championship Title in 2022. The star duo led UNC to a Super Regional in 2022, only for Arkansas to win that and advance to the College World Series.

Judging from his post above, you can bet Diamond Heels head coach Scott Forbes is a happy camper.

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UNC baseball star Vance Honeycutt selected 22nd overall in 2024 MLB Draft

Vance Honeycutt’s childhood dreams came true on Sunday evening, as he went 22nd overall in the MLB Draft.

The North Carolina Tar Heels knew how special of a baseball player Vance Honeycutt was – from the moment they started recruiting him out of Salisbury (NC) High School.

By the time Honeycutt’s junior season at UNC ended, Honeycutt solidified himself as a first-round MLB Draft pick.

Honeycutt came to Chapel Hill a decorated high school athlete, highlighted by a 2021 state championship and Player of the Year honors in his home county. In Year one as a Diamond Heel, Honeycutt gave us all a glimpse of his potential, hitting for a .296 batting average, while mashing 25 home runs and driving in 57 runners.

Last year, Honeycutt led North Carolina to the College World Series with one of the best individual seasons in program history. He mashed .318 (4th-best on UNC) and drove in 70 runners, but it was his 28 home runs and stolen bases that made history, as Honeycutt became the first player in ACC history to mash 50 career home runs and steal 70 career bases.

In the NCAA Tournament, Honeycutt showcased his clutch hitting abilities with two separate walk-offs. This only boosted Honeycutt’s draft stock further – where exactly to?

On Sunday, July 14, Honeycutt was selected 22nd overall – by the Baltimore Orioles – in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft.

Honeycutt immediately joins a team full of exciting young talent, as Baltimore has the top-ranked farm system in all of baseball, with the likes of 2023 top overall pick Jackson Holliday.

I’m intrigued to see which minor league affiliate Honeycutt is assigned to, though I bet it’ll be either in Single-A with either the Delmarva Shorebirds or Aberdeen IronBirds.

If Honeycutt can continue his hot streak from the NCAA Tournament, he’ll be playing Major League Baseball before we know it.

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Vance Honeycutt highlights four Diamond Heels ranked amongst top MLB Draft prospects

There will likely be multiple UNC baseball players chosen in the upcoming MLB Draft.

I truly thought the North Carolina Tar Heels could win the 2024 College World Series.

UNC had all the pieces of a championship team: a reliable star hitter to count on for clutch, consistent production in Vance Honeycutt, a batting order that could hit from 1-to-9, a shutdown closer who could cool even the hottest of lineups in Dalton Pence, a strong defensive unit and – most important of all – a great coach in Scott Forbes.

North Carolina won its opening game of the College World Series, thanks to ninth-inning heroics from Honeycutt and Jackson Van De Brake, but later exited after consecutive losses to Tennessee and Florida State.

The Diamond Heels put the college baseball world on notice, but also garnered some MLB Draft attention for Pence and its entire starting outfield.

On Saturday, July 12 – just two days ahead of the 2024 MLB Draft, Baseball America ranked Honeycutt (13th), Casey Cook (164th), Pence (340th) and Anthony Donofrio (449th) amongst its top draft prospects.

Honeycutt turned in a historic career at UNC, highlighted last year by becoming the first player in ACC history to hit 50 career home runs and steal 70 career bases, plus a second-consecutive ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award (also only player in ACC history to achieve this feat).

Cook enjoyed a massive power surge during his 2024 redshirt-sophomore campaign, finishing third on North Carolina with 18 home runs. Cook’s .341 batting average was second-highest amongst Diamond Heel hitters, while his 78 RBIs were third in the ACC and 11th in Division-I.

Donofrio only played at North Carolina last year, but he made an immediate impact. He finished third on the Diamond Heels with a .326 batting average, tops on the Diamond Heels with 19 doubles and most in the ACC with six triples.

Pence made a good case for the top reliever in college baseball. He recorded a team-best eight saves, 2.45 earned run average, struck out 74 batters (second-most on UNC) and earned five wins out of the bullpen. Pence’s best performances came in the NCAA Tournament – earning a win against LSU in the Chapel Hill Regional, then a save against West Virginia in the Chapel Hill Super Regional.

If you want to see where some of your favorite Diamond Heels will be chosen, tune into the MLB Draft at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 14.

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Armando Bacot and Vance Honeycutt highlight recipients of UNC’s top athletic honor

UNC’s athletic accomplishments in the 2023-2024 sports calendar were highlighted by four of its student-athletes winning the same award.

The North Carolina Tar Heels, across all sports, enjoyed a successful 2023-2024 sports calendar.

UNC’s fencing, women’s tennis, men’s golf and men’s track and field teams all won ACC championships, but the most successful program was field hockey, which won a thrilling shootout against Northwestern to capture its 11th National Championship (most all-time).

North Carolina enjoyed a much-needed bounce-back season in men’s basketball, going from missing the NCAA Tournament last year to a Sweet 16 run this year. Armando Bacot became the program’s all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles.

Most recently, Vance Honeycutt led the Diamond Heels to their first College World Series since 2018. He hit multiple walk-offs in the NCAA Tournament, including UNC’s CWS opener against ACC rival Virginia, while winning his second-straight ACC Defensive Player of the Year award.

Fiona Crawley, who spent most of tennis season as North Carolina’s top singles player, won 14 of the 19 matches she played in. Austin Greaser will go down as one of the best golfers to come through Chapel Hill, with his 71.04 stroke average third in program history.

Due to last year’s combined success between Bacot, Honeycutt, Crawley and Greaser, each student-athlete received the Patterson Medal – UNC’s top athletic honor.

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Each of the above Tar Heels enjoyed amazing careers. Though Honeycutt is the only one who could return, his status as a projected first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft means his time in Chapel Hill is likely over.

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Where does latest MLB.com mock draft have UNC baseball star Vance Honeycutt selected?

The latest MLB.com mock draft has UNC standout Vance Honeycutt heading to an NL Central team.

If you think that Vance Honeycutt is the best college baseball player to don a North Carolina Tar Heels jersey, you are correct.

Honeycutt’s career numbers are impressive – .293 batting average, 65 career home runs, 76 stolen bases and 170 RBIs. He made ACC history last season, becoming the first-ever player to join the 50 home run-70 stolen base club, but the stats aren’t even the most impressive part about Honeycutt.

No matter how out of a game UNC ever seems, Honeycutt always seems to produce. He has a knack for clutch hitting, which we all saw with multiple walk-offs in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

If you thought Honeycutt’s bat was dangerous, he’s an even better fielder. He won the past two ACC Defensive Player of the Year Awards and is no stranger to the SportsCenter Top 10.

With all that Honeycutt did in Chapel Hill, it’s no surprise that he’s a first-round prospect in the 2024 MLB Draft.

In MLB.com writer Jonathan Mayo’s latest mock draft, Honeycutt will go 17th overall to the Milwaukee Brewers.

“More college bats here, with Honeycutt and (Carson) Benge having an edge right now over (Tommy) White,” Mayo wrote of Honeycutt’s brief evaluation.

Mock drafts are just that – guesses – as another recent draft has Honeycutt going to the San Francisco Giants. Honeycutt’s ceiling is a Top-10 pick, with his floor a later first-round selection.

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