At Aberdeen, the 2024 draft picks are dealing with the ups and downs of High-A ball in first full pro season
IronBirds roster features five of O's top six draft picks from 2024
ABERDEEN, Md. - They are a gang of five.
Of the top six O’s MLB Draft picks from last summer, five are now playing together at High-A Aberdeen. They have become a close-knit team within a team and right now they can lean on each other as they go through some ups and downs in their first full season of professional baseball.
None of the five is tearing it up right now as they go through the process of learning how to deal with the rigors and pressures of everyday pro ball and also how to hit consistently at this level.
But they should realize that Ripken Stadium is a tough place to hit and also that others before them had some struggles at Aberdeen.
In 2021, in his first 200 Aberdeen at-bats, Gunnar Henderson hit .230 with a .745 OPS and six homers.
In 2022, Colton Cowser, over 200 ABs, hit .255/.795 with three homers.
Also in 2022, Heston Kjerstad, over his first 163 IronBirds’ at-bats, hit .233/.674 with three homers.
Recently, IronBirds hitting coach Zach Cole spoke with me about each of the five 2024 draft picks and their ups and downs of this season.
We are talking about outfielder Vance Honeycutt, selected with the O’s top pick last summer, No. 22 overall, out of the University of North Carolina. Also infielder Griff O’Ferrall, taken No. 32. Catcher Ethan Anderson, a round two pick, No. 61. Plus outfielder Austin Overn, selected in round three, with pick No. 97 and catcher Ryan Stafford in round five with pick No. 160.