The team officially signed its top pick, Ike Irish, on Friday.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Baltimore Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
With four picks before the start of the second round and the largest-ever signing bonus pool that any team has ever had, the Orioles had the opportunity with their 2025 Draft class to make a massive impact on the farm system. There haven’t been chances like this to restock since the O’s started playing better. Through the good fortune of two qualifying offer-worthy free agents last year and the recent trade of Bryan Baker, the O’s loaded up on chances.
What’s more, the way that the Draft played out, they were able to use their plenty of high picks to collect multiple players who were regarded highly in the Draft class. Their top pick, Ike Irish, slid from being a possible top 10 pick down to them at #19, and #31 pick Wehiwa Aloy could have just as easily gone several places earlier than he did as well. Add in catcher Caden Bodine plus high school outfielder Slater de Brun and there’s some excitement in these high picks, before we ever start finding out if any of the lower-round lottery tickets pay out.
Irish officially signed on Friday for right about the slot value of his pick. I’d thought he might take a bit of an overslot since he did fall from pre-draft expectations. That will mean there’s more possible money available to sign some of the later-round players from junior colleges or high schools.
Orioles fans are feeling the early excitement about these picks:
Obviously, it’ll only be years later until we really know if this was a successful set of picks for the Orioles. That’s the nature of the MLB Draft, which is not big on short-term gratification. The best that we can do in the immediate aftermath is see if there’s good vibes based on how these selections align with expert analysis.
In taking the best player available without going heavy on some of their favorite archetypes, the O’s, at least as far as anyone can tell initially, seem to have done quite well for themselves and fans are feeling that too. 85% of voters coming in at either A or B for the class is a strong consensus. I’m in the A category, myself. A few years down the road, if at least two of those top 37 picks are making a positive impact and at least one of the late-round pitchers is clicking, that’s what would help it still look like an A.
This week’s survey brought to you by FanDuel.