March 4, 2026, 6:18 p.m. ET

Most UNC baseball fans remember Vance Honeycutt, who dazzled with his rare combination of power, speed and lockdown defense from 2022-2024 in Chapel Hill.

Selected 22nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Honeycutt is working his way up through the Baltimore Orioles‘ farm system. Honeycutt is currently proving his value in Spring Training action, with an invite to the big league club paying off through limited at-bats.

During Baltimore’s 4-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday afternoon, Honeycutt homered in his lone at-bat. Mashing an 0-1, 93 miles per hour fastball well over the left-center field wall in eight-inning action, Honeycutt improved to 4-of-4 overall – with four home runs and one walk – in five plate appearances.

To put it short, Honeycutt is raking at a historic pace, reaching base all five times and showcasing the same power North Carolina fans fell in love with.

Honeycutt struggled in his first full, professional season during 2025, hitting just .171 with five home runs and 24 RBIs, while leading the South Atlantic League with 178 strikeouts. Honeycutt thrived when he reached base, though, swiping 32 bags to finish third on his Aberdeen Ironbirds.

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Even in limited game action, Honeycutt is quickly proving himself as a valuable part of Baltimore’s future. He’s showcasing more confidence in at-bats, better plate discipline and – most importantly for a power hitter like himself – more pop.

Honeycutt burst onto the collegiate baseball scene as a freshman in 2022, starting at center field for the Diamond Heels. Honeycutt left UNC as the prorgam’s all-time home run leader (65), a 2-time, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, plus the only Power 4 hitter to finish his career with 60+ home runs and 70+ stolen bases.

Honeycutt’s collegiate accolades far exceed the aforementioned numbers – and now, he’s paving his Road to the Show. It’s only a matter of time before Honeycutt starts mashing homers in the Charm City.

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