UNC Junior Vance Honeycutt Selected By Baltimore Orioles in MLB Draft First Round
FORT WORTH, Texas – UNC junior Vance Honeycutt was selected 22nd overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the first round of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft on Sunday. This marks an important milestone for the University of North Carolina as Honeycutt becomes the first Tar Heel to be drafted in the first round since Aaron Sabato in 2020.
Record-Breaking Season for Honeycutt
During his junior season in 2024, Honeycutt helped lead the Tar Heels back to the College World Series for the first time since 2018. The Salisbury, N.C. native had an outstanding performance, earning First Team All-America honors in 2024 and being named to the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team.
Honeycutt tied for the ACC lead in home runs with a program-record 28, while also leading the league in runs with 88. His season included a career-best .318 batting average, 70 RBIs, and the third-highest single-season slugging percentage (.714) in program history.
Historic Achievement for UNC
With Honeycutt’s selection, the University of North Carolina has now had 25 first-round picks, including 12 since 2006. This places UNC among the top institutions for producing first-round MLB Draft picks in NCAA history.
In addition, the Tar Heels have seen 17 players selected in the primary June Draft, tying them for the fifth-most among all NCAA institutions. Honeycutt’s achievement adds to the rich tradition of UNC baseball and showcases the program’s ability to develop top talent.
Continuation of the MLB Draft
The MLB Draft will continue on Monday with rounds 3-10, followed by rounds 11-20 on Tuesday. While there will be no live television coverage on the second and third days, fans can stream the final 17 rounds on MLB.com to follow the remaining selections.
UNC First Round Draft Picks
- Vance Honeycutt (2024) – 22nd Overall, Baltimore Orioles
- Aaron Sabato (2020) – 27th Overall, Minnesota Twins
- Michael Busch (2019) – 31st Overall, Los Angeles Dodgers
Author: STAFF HERE Chapin
CHAPIN STAFF WRITER The CHAPIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREchapin.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chapin, Lexington County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Chapin Christmas Parade, Fourth of July Celebration, and the Chapin Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chapin Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington School District One, plus leading businesses in retail and recreation that power the local economy such as Lake Murray Tourism and the Chapin Visitor Information. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
