Pros, cons of Baltimore Orioles taking Auburn baseball's Ike Irish in 2025 MLB draft

For the first time in five years, an Auburn baseball player has been selected in the first round of the MLB Draft.

Ike Irish, the well-tooled hitter who led the Tigers to new heights during his three-year college career, was taken with the 19th overall pick in the first round of this year's draft by the Baltimore Orioles organization on Sunday. With it, Irish became the 10th first-round selection in Auburn's history, joining the likes of Casey Mize, Frank Thomas, Gregg Olson and Gabe Gross.

The projected slot value of the No. 19 pick in this year's draft is $4,420,900.

Irish's Auburn career coincided with a fruitful juncture for the program. In three years, he was part of two regional squads and, in 2025, helped the Tigers to hosting a super regional for the first time. Simultaneously, his tenure ended with his name in the record books, particularly top-10 marks for career batting average and home runs in Auburn history.

Here's a deeper dive on what the Orioles are getting in Irish.

Ike Irish's strengths, weaknesses with Auburn baseball

• Strengths: There's a reason Irish is considered the best college hitter in this year's draft class. Since his arrival at Auburn, he has demonstrated a professional approach at the plate, and as he has developed, his ability to hit for contact while using the entire field coincided with raw power that still hasn't reached its full potential.
• Weaknesses: Irish's prowess as a catcher served him well early in his college career, but he moved to right field this spring. While he's not a fully polished outfielder, his arm strength made up anything lacking at the position.

Ike Irish's stats with Auburn baseball

• Career (2023-25): 223 for 637 (.350); 48 doubles; 5 triples; 39 home runs; 167 RBIs; 111 strikeouts; 82 walks (160 games)
  • 2025 (55 games): 78 for 214 (.364); 13 doubles; 2 triples; 19 home runs; 58 RBIs; 37 strikeouts; 33 walks
  • 2024 (47 games): 59 for 185 (.319); 11 doubles; 2 triples; 14 home runs; 59 RBIs; 29 strikeouts; 23 walks
  • 2023 (58 games): 86 for 238 (.361); 24 doubles; 1 triple; 6 home runs; 50 RBIs; 45 strikeouts; 26 walks

Pro comparison for Auburn baseball's Ike Irish

• Pro comparison: Philadelphia Phillies OF Bryce Harper

This has potential-filling in mind, though up to this point, the stories of Irish and Harper are relatively comparable.

Both left high school as touted catching prospects with impressive abilities in the batter's box. Their stories split off there — with Harper hustling to the pros and Irish going to Auburn — but some likeness has remained between the two.

While Irish spent the bulk of his college career behind the plate, he shifted to right field this spring and used an 80-grade arm to register double-digit assists. It gave him spent time in the outfield — meaning Irish got some experience at both positions Harper has played professionally, as he played playing sparingly at first base for Auburn.

Then there's the hitting capabilities. Both bring short swings that can handle high velocity, and Irish's propensity to use the whole field has earned him recognition as one of the best college bats in this draft. If he can carry those abilities to the major-league level and continue developing his power, he's capable of reaching Harper's heights.

Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter.To support Adam's work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Baltimore Orioles select Auburn baseball’s Ike Irish in 2025 MLB Draft