MLB Draft 2025 Scouting Report For Ike Irish to Orioles at Pick No. 19

With the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 draft, the Baltimore Orioles selected outfielder/catcher Ike Irish out of Auburn University.

Ahead is a closer look at what he brings to the table as he starts his pro career, along with a highlight reel and a pro comparison to provide further context for what his future might hold.

Scouting Report

Born: 11/26/2003 (21 years old)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 201 lbs

Stats: 55 G, 258 PA, .364/.469/.710, 34 XBH (19 HR), 58 RBI, 11 SB

Ike Irish entered his junior season as the consensus top catching prospect in the 2025 draft class.

Now he looks like a future outfielder, and while that would be a blow to the value of most prospects, in his case, it's his offensive game and potential proximity to the majors that outweigh his potential upside behind the plate.

A fractured right scapula in March led to Irish playing primarily right field this spring, and along the way, he established himself as arguably the best offensive player in this year's college class.

A full-time move to the outfield in pro ball could pave the way for him to be one of the first players from this draft to suit up in the majors, especially considering how he closed out the regular season.

He hit a blistering .364/.469/.710 with 13 home runs in 28 games during conference play, proving himself against the best pitching talent college baseball has to offer in the SEC.

He hit .319/.403/.627 with 14 home runs as a sophomore, then batted .325 with a .438 on-base percentage over 144 plate appearances in the Cape Cod League, so his track record of production stretches well beyond his strong 2025 campaign.

Highlights

Pro Comparison: less athletic Christian Yelich

Irish is not going to challenge for a 30/30 season any time soon, though he did swipe 11 bases in 12 attempts this spring, so comparing him to Christian Yelich is more about his polished left-handed swing, above-average power potential and willingness to work a walk.

Yelich was originally drafted as a first baseman before shifting to the outfield, so there are also some similarities in their defensive fluidity, and Irish will likewise go as far as his bat carries him.