Baltimore Orioles select infielder Mac Horvath with second round draft pick

With the 53rd pick of 2023 MLB Draft, the Baltimore Orioles pulled the trigger on 3B/OF Mac Horvath, from North Carolina. Horvath is the #44 prospect on Keith Law's rankings and #82 prospect on MLB Pipeline list.

Baltimore Orioles select infielder Mac Horvath in second round of MLB Draft

The report from Fangraphs:

Horvath hit 42 home runs combined during his final two years at North Carolina and slashed .305/.418/.711 during his junior year. He has extremely quick and powerful hands that generate above-average pull power. Horvath is geared to pull in the extreme but so far his bat is quick enough to make this style of hitting work.

It does leave Horvath vulnerable to breaking stuff down and away from him, but Horvath tends to identify them and doesn't often chase. He played third base early during his college career but wasn't very good there, and he's moved to the outfield. He doesn't run well enough to play center but he is fast enough, and plays with enough effort, to be a plus corner outfield defender with continued reps there. He projects as the short end of a corner platoon.

The Orioles took Horvath with similarities from their first round pick, Enrique Bradfield Jr. His best tools are Run (60) and Arm (60). Per scouts, some concerns about his Hit tool (40), but the recent track record with Mike Elias and college bats bring some hope to fix and unlock his potential on pros.

Horvath was announced an outfielder, but he played the hot corner in 2022. Per his Baseball Reference page, he played on second base and all three outfield spots. His numbers: .275/.387/.584/.971 slash line, 166 hits, 47 Home Runs, 141 RBI, 150 Runs and 44 stolen bases.

Welcome to the Orioles, Mac. Best of luck to you as you climb through the minor league ladder.