The fourth-round draft pick reset himself over the course of two weeks. He worked on his mindset on the mound, narrowing his focus to what he could control, and when he returned to game action everything clicked.
The twins and Burnes' wife Brooke can’t travel yet, so Burnes has had to watch the first two weeks of their lives over the phone. It’s difficult, especially as has tries to differentiate the girls.
With all competitive balance round and compensation picks out of the way, the Orioles enter the final day of the 2024 draft with 10 selections, each spaced 30 picks apart.
Rob Manfred said they have “definitely expressed interest” in bringing the game back to Baltimore for the first time since 1993. The next open slot is 2027.
The Orioles haven’t just arrived as one of the best teams in baseball. Now, they are impossible to ignore at the All-Star Game with five representatives, the most since 2016.
Burnes becomes the fifth All-Star starting pitcher in Orioles history, and the first since Steve Stone in 1980. Jim Palmer, Milt Pappas and Jerry Walker have also started All-Star Games for Baltimore.
Vance Honeycutt boasts advanced power and hard-contact ability to go with the skills to play a true, standout center field and steal some bases. Even if he can’t improve his whiffs and swing decisions, those types of guys typically make it to the majors.
The Orioles stuck with their tried-and-true model, making Honeycutt the fifth college hitter Elias has plucked with his top selection in the six drafts he’s overseen in Baltimore.
After taking North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt with the 22nd pick of the draft, the Orioles doubled up on Virginia players: shortstop Griff O’Ferrall and catcher Ethan Anderson.