Vance Honeycutt’s explosive spring training start has created major buzz

UNC fans have witnessed first-hand how Vance Honeycutt can absolutely go on a tear offensively.

While wearing the Carolina Blue uniform, Honeycutt had plenty of moments where it felt like he was impossible to get out when he stepped up to the plate. The 2022 ACC Tournament is a perfect example of that notion.

The all-time home runs leader for the Diamond Heels put together a special career in Chapel Hill, one that led to him being a first round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Now, heading into his second full season in professional baseball, Honeycutt has earned some opportunities with the big league club and has absolutely made the most of them.

In a league of his own

Traditionally, Major League clubs bring up minor leaguers to fill rosters for spring training games. It helps the club evaluate its talent while providing those players with opportunities to face big league caliber pitching.

Honeycutt, thus far, has appeared in four games, having one plate appearance in each game. The result of those four at-bats was the exact same:

Home run.

Yes, Honeycutt has four homers in four spring training at-bats for the Baltimore Orioles, as his latest was an absolute bomb that traveled 471 feet!

To put it into perspective, Aaron Judge, the sport's best power hitter, only hit his home run on Wednesday 459 feet.

Judge measures at 6-foot-7, 282-pounds, while Honeycutt is listed at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds. Pretty impressive to see that Honeycutt outslugged the New York Yankees captain!

One of one

As was the case when he was patrolling center field at Boshamer Stadium, Honeycutt is in a league of his own.

Following Wednesday's spring training action, the former Diamond Heel is the only player to have four or more home runs, only needing as many at-bats to reach the mark.

Mindset hasn't changed

While Honeycutt is a guy who can easily hit for power, his approach at the plate has remained consistent.

A sign of good things to come?

After a rough first full season in professional baseball, the hope is that Honeycutt can continue to build momentum off his hot spring training start.

Let's face it: some struggles in his first pro season aren't changing the belief in him. Honeycutt is an elite talent who has shown, time and time again, that he will make adjustments and improve.

Honeycutt's appearances in big league camp have shown that first-hand, as the hope is that a great season is ahead for one of the greatest players in Carolina Baseball history.