Irish smiling at skilled life: “It was a lot of fun”

The Orioles didn’t map out an intensive offseason plan for Ike Irish, their first choose within the 2025 novice draft. He was in a position to decide mandatory areas of enchancment simply by visiting Camden Yards final week.

Put a bunch of main league gamers round a 21-year-old in his first skilled season and it turns into clear.

“I think it’s the big things, like you’ve got to get more physical,” he mentioned throughout a media scrum within the Orioles’ dugout. “Just for myself, standing around these big leaguers, I’m a little smaller than they are, so get a little more physical. And then just fine-tune the talent and get better in all aspects of the game, because I have to.”

Irish clearly didn’t let his draft standing go to his head.

The Orioles had 4 draft picks inside the high 37 and selected Irish 19^th total out of Auburn University, thrilled that one of many high hitters within the draft fell to them.

Irish climbed boards after slashing .364/.469/.710 this season with 13 doubles, two triples, 19 residence runs, 58 RBIs, 33 walks, 37 strikeouts and 11 steals in 12 makes an attempt in 55 video games. Over three faculty seasons, he slashed .350/.435/.625 with 48 doubles, 5 triples, 39 homers and 167 RBIs in 160 video games. And scouts additionally grew intrigued when he batted .325/.438/.433 final summer time within the Cape Cod League.

The Orioles signed Irish for $4,418,400 lower than per week after the draft and assigned him to Class A Delmarva, the place he appeared in 20 video games and went 17-for-74 (.230) with two doubles, a house run, 12 RBIs, six walks and 19 strikeouts. He was 3-for-19 in September.

“It was a lot of fun,” he mentioned. “You’re just getting your feet wet in all different aspects. It’s your job now and so it’s a little different than going to class and then playing a baseball game, but it was a lot of fun.”

Irish moved from behind the plate to proper discipline at Auburn after fracturing his scapula in March. The Shorebirds gave him 5 begins at catcher, six at first base, 5 in proper discipline and two as designated hitter. He additionally performed left in faculty.

“I think it’s exciting, the versatility that he brings to the roster,” vice chairman of participant improvement and home scouting Matt Blood mentioned after the draft. “He can catch one day, he could play first one day, he could play in the outfield one day. That’s a pretty valuable type of player, especially if he’s one of the best hitters on the team.”

Irish understood that he’d transfer round, particularly after the Orioles chosen Coastal Carolina catcher Caden Bodine 30^th total. He’s snug “all over the place,” he mentioned, and that’s why there’s no hesitation in enjoying him in a number of spots and roles.

“That’s what the Orioles and I really agree upon it. We want to be as versatile as possible – catching, right field, left field, DH, first base. So whatever they think is best,” he mentioned.

“I’m so happy to be in this organization and it’s a lot of fun playing different positions and getting better at all of them.”

Bodine threw out 39 % of runners trying to steal this 12 months and gained the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award.

“I think he was the best catcher in college baseball this year, and watching him do it when I’m playing first base or right field is really fun,” Irish mentioned. “He’s actually, actually good at what he does and with the ability to be taught from him and choose up little issues has been a extremely cool expertise.

“He sticks everything. He’s consistent, he throws guys out and he just does a really nice job of handling a pitching staff.”

Joining Irish within the first spherical and at Delmarva created a catching bond.

“The more, the better,” Bodine mentioned. “Just bouncing ideas off each other, getting better and pushing each other, for sure.”

Bodine made the extra fast offensive adjustment to the professionals, batting .326/.408/.349 (14-for-43) however showing in solely 11 video games due to a bruised finger on his left hand. He was 4-for-9 in his final two video games however didn’t play after Aug. 26.

The switch-hitter appeared so much just like the man who batted .318/.454/.461 in 67 video games as a junior and .337/.440/.528 in his three collegiate seasons.

“I think just sticking to the same plans,” he mentioned. “The guys there, they’re extremely helpful hitting-wise, coming up with plans for certain guys, so really helpful.”

The Orioles invited Irish, Bodine, shortstop Wehiwa Aloy (31^st total) and middle fielder Slater de Brun (37^th) to Camden Yards, arranging a tour, batting apply rounds and seats for the sport.

“It’s been a lot of fun getting to know those guys,” Irish mentioned. “They come from all aspects of life. Wehiwa is from Hawaii, Slater’s from Bend, Oregon, Caden’s from New Jersey and I’m from Michigan, and so it’s like a melting pot, and it’s a lot of fun to see their perspectives just on baseball, but also life. And getting to know them has been a really cool experience.”

de Brun is the youngest at 18, proper out of highschool in Oregon.

“They’re like my big brothers, honestly,” he mentioned. “They look out for me and I look up to them. They tell me I need to get bullied, not in like an actual way but they keep me in check, and they tell me when I’m doing too much, when I’ve got to tone it down. So they help me be a man, honestly, so I really respect them.”