Grading the Baltimore Orioles last 5 first-round draft picks

Before the 2024 season started, the Baltimore Orioles were lauded for building one of the best farm systems in baseball almost exclusively through the MLB Draft. Part of that is picking so high in the first round for multiple years, but the Orioles also did really well to get real value with their picks beyond the first round with Gunnar Henderson being a great example.

However, times have changed and the outlook on some of the picks Baltimore has made in recent years isn't quite as rosy as it once was. Here is a look at how the Orioles' last five first round draft picks grade out these days.

Here are our grades of the Orioles last 5 first round picks

These sorts of grades are always incomplete as players develop, regress, or get hurt, so one shouldn't get too hung up on current grades. These are a snapshot in time, not the final word on any of these players whatsoever. We won't know exactly how these picks will pan out until their MLB playing days are done, but we can make some educated guesses.

2024 - Vance Honeycutt (OF)
Grade: C (incomplete)

In terms of physical tools, Vance Honeycutt was definitely a worthy gamble as he had arguably the best combination of raw power, speed, and athleticism in the 2024 draft class. The problem is that his hit tool was questionable and he has been exposed so far as a pro with a .579 OPS at high-A this season after a tough pro debut in 2024. If he figures out how to hit professional pitchers, this grade will go up in a hurry. However, it is looking like getting to all of his physical gifts in games is going to be tough.

2023 - Enrique Bradfield Jr. (OF)
Grade: B

Bradfield Jr. can absolutely fly and is among the best outfield defenders in all of baseball. That does give him a very solid floor. However, his ceiling is pretty debatable at the moment as he struggles to impact the ball and his hit tool in general leaves some thing to be desired. If he keeps drawing walks, he could end up as a valuable top of the order bat. However, this was a still a good value where Baltimore was picking in 2023 (#17 overall) even if Bradfield's upside isn't amazing.

2022 - Jackson Holliday (2B/SS)
Grade: A

Holliday as a #1 overall pick was not looking particularly great at the end of last season as he really struggled to deal with big league pitchers. However, Holliday has turned things around this year and even had a fringe All-Star case. Right now, the pick is an A, although it remains to be seen if he will be a star or if he will just be a very solid regular who occasionally plays better than that.

2021 - Colton Cowser (OF)
Grade: B+

Again, hard to argue with a guy who finished second in Rookie of the Year voting last year. However, Cowser does get a mild downgrade for now given that his bat has regressed this season. Cowser is at least hitting for some power and he could turn things around, but we can't quite give this pick an A right now.

2020 - Heston Kjerstad (OF)
Grade: C+

Well this is a pick that fell off a cliff in a hurry. Kjerstad was highly thought of as the #2 overall pick and, after some health issues early in his career, it looked like he was on track to be a true middle of the order threat for the Orioles. Kjerstad looked "okay" last season, but he has taken a significant step back in 2025 with a .566 across 167 plate appearances before getting sent back down to the minors in June. Obviously one shouldn't give up on a talent like Kjerstad completely just yet, but the pick investment here certainly feels bad right now.

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