The UNC baseball program consistently positions itself amongst the country's best, competing yearly atop the ACC and advancing deep in the NCAA Tournament.
The Diamond Heels also produce plentiful talent, with seven players selected in this year's MLB Draft. One of the best recent players in North Carolina history, Vance Honeycutt, went 22nd overall to the Baltimore Orioles in 2024.
Now in his second full professional season, Honeycutt just received some exciting career news. On Monday morning, the O's announced they're promoting Honeycutt to the Double-A Chesapeake Baysox.
Despite hitting just .182 for the High-A Frederick Keys in 63 games, Honeycutt still sports that same power Tar Heel Nation fell in love with, compiling 10 home runs and 31
runs batted in. Honeycutt also sports a career-best .644 OBP (on-base plus slugging percentage), helping the Keys to a First-Half, South Atlantic League North Division Title.
Honeycutt left UNC as one of the program's most decorated baseball players, highlighted by consecutive ACC Defensive Player of the Year Awards in 2023 and 2024. Honeycutt is also the only player amongst Power Four conferences to finish his career with over 60 homers and 70 stolen bases, recording a 65-76 mark.
OF Vance Honeycutt (Orioles’ 2024 1st-round pick) is being promoted to Double-A Chesapeake.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) August 17, 2026
The 23-year-old hit .182 with 10 home runs, 31 RBIs and a .644 OPS in 63 games for High-A Frederick this season.
The Orioles are promoting outfielder Vance Honeycutt to Double-A Chesapeake.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) August 17, 2026
Honeycutt, the club’s first-round pick in 2024, posted a .644 OPS with 10 homers, including this one Saturday, and 28 stolen bases for High-A Frederick this season. pic.twitter.com/v2wQZ84Ppq
In 2024, Honeycutt led North Carolina to its 12th College World Series appearance, delivering a walk-off hit in the opener vs. Virginia. Honeycutt played for the Aberdeen Ironbirds in 2025, stayed in High-A this year and will now get his first taste of AA ball.
Honeycutt's start to Spring Training proved his worth as a first-round pick, with four home runs in his first five at bats. Will he enjoy that same level of success at his next stop in the minors?
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC baseball standout promoted within Baltimore Orioles' organization
