Good news came for Ethan Anderson on August 18, when the Ironbirds product was called up to Baltimore’s Double-A affiliate in Chesapeake. A second-round pick in 2024, the switch-hitting catcher was actually the second UVA baseball chosen in a row by the Orioles that year, after his former roommate Griff O’Ferrall went 32nd overall.
It’s a nice story, but the Birds might be having second thoughts about dipping into the Cavalier pool going forward. Actually, they may need to rethink the whole strategy
that animated their 2024 draft, as this class has, on the whole, greatly underwhelmed thus far. Not mincing words, our own Mark Brown rates the 2024 draft class “an absolute flop.” This includes both Anderson and his college teammate O’Ferrall (more on him in a future installment), neither of whom could summon much power in High-A ball at all.
Over three seasons at UVA, the 22-year-old Anderson was a consistently good performer for the Cavaliers, batting a combined .341/.441/.560. As a sophomore he hit 15 homers in 65 games, but the power waned somewhat as a junior, when he went deep just eight times. Despite that, Anderson was known for his batting eye, walking more than he struck out, with just a 10.4% strikeout rate (in stark contrast to first rounder Vance Honeycutt, for whom the K’s remain a huge problem).
There were some who saw Anderson as a smart, value signing. Here’s what Keith Law had to say at the time about Anderson, whom he ranked #45 (Baseball America put him 59th and MLB Pipeline 78th).
Anderson has shown above-average power in the past, but this year made a lot of weaker contact and put the ball on the ground more often. He does show plus bat speed and has good-not-great plate discipline, needing a better two-strike approach. He’s a 40 defender behind the plate now who probably should just move to first base and focus on getting to more in-game power.
The catcher took to pro ball right away, debuting in Delmarva in August 2024 and posting a .268/.333/.446 slashline over 15 games with the Shorebirds. He showed some power, too, with three doubles, two triples, and a homer, while posting a 9/6 K/BB ratio. In September, he was moved up to Aberdeen and made a good first impression, going 6-for-17 (.353) with 3 walks, a double and three stolen bases in five games.
That brings us to 2025, which has been less favorable for Anderson’s batting line. The catcher started out ice-cold, and not in a cool, Hey Ya way. In July, his batting line was .214/.285/.298. This casts a slightly happier light on his final line of .257/.338/.355, with three home runs and 42 RBI.
If you’ll notice, over the season, Anderson hiked up his batting average and on-base percentage, but consistent with Law’s scouting report, the power is not there. In August he tallied an average of .299 and an OBP of .378, with ten walks. Even better in September, when he had a .421 OBP. And of just four home runs on the season, three came in August/September.
So there is a narrative of improvement here. In particular, as a local Virginia newspaper (friendly to its UVA grads) reported, Anderson faced three challenges this season. One, Orioles’ draft picks generally play their first full season in Aberdeen, where they face the most advanced pitching in their careers. Two, Anderson has been learning the catcher position, one of the most challenging in baseball—not to mention doing so as a switch-hitter. Third, the High-A Park in Aberdeen is reportedly a hitter’s nightmare, with players complaining of poor lighting and a terrible batter’s eye—perhaps one reason the organization is moving their High-A affiliate back to Frederick in 2026.
Is all that enough to convince you? It apparently convinced the Orioles organization, who promoted Anderson to Double-A Chesapeake on August 18. The Baysox, who hit .212/.304/.338 as a team this year, desperately need the reinforcements, and a good season from the 2024 draft class next year.
We’ll have to see what happens to Anderson next season, but so far Anderson is building a brand of walks and slap-hitting. Whether that’s a compelling package at the MLB level will also turn on his defense. So far, despite scouting reports suggesting he might move around the infield, the Orioles have been using almost exclusively at the catcher position, and reportedly have been impressed with his defense.
If you have a chance to watch Arizona Fall League baseball, you’ll get a chance to see more of Anderson, who is one of seven players the Orioles announced they’d be sending to play alongside minor leaguers from the Mariners, Padres, Reds, and Twins as part of the Peoria Javelinas. The seven prospects headed to Arizona for October and part of November: Anderson, along with outfielders Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Thomas Sosa, and pitchers Carson Dorsey, Andy Fabian, Zach Fruit, and Tanner Smith.
Anderson seems a “wait and see” kind of prospect for now. Baseball America’sOrioles top 30 has the catcher ranked 22nd. Hopefully his patient batting eye, steady hands, and willingness to learn will keep pushing him up the ranks.
Tomorrow: Cameron Weston
