When Baltimore Orioles first-round pick Ike Irish arrived at Auburn, he was talented at the plate but was mostly limited to serving as a designated hitter. He eventually entered his junior year as the Tigers’ starting catcher but may develop into something different in Baltimore.
Irish was lauded as one of this year’s best catching prospects until he suffered a fractured right scapula when he was hit by a pitch in March. This forced a move to right field, which is where the 21-year-old might stay at the next level.
Auburn baseball coach Butch Thompson praised Irish’s development on and off the field during his three years with the Tigers.
“Ike came here ready to hit, and he leaves here … being able to catch, being able to play in the outfield,” Thompson said on Glenn Clark Radio July 14. “Him becoming our captain and our leader of the program in this third year. To see where he started, as a DH, to see how he became a well-rounded player, but more importantly a leader. He left a good legacy here.”
Irish was selected 19th overall, becoming the third-highest drafted position player in Auburn history behind Hall of Famer Frank Thomas and Gabe Gross. Thompson highlighted Irish’s approach at the plate as one of the most impressive he’s seen in more than 30 years of coaching.
“I don’t think he’s going to stop hitting. It’s the most competitive at-bat that I have seen in my coaching career,” Thompson said. “I don’t think he gave an at-bat away. It is high confidence, it’s personal. Every pitch that crosses home plate has been personal for him for three years, and I think that’s one of his separators.”
The 6-foot-2, 201-pound left-handed hitter slashed .364/.469/.710 with 19 home runs and 58 RBIs in 55 games during his junior season. Thompson called Irish “the best hitter in the program,” and after his injury in March, knew it was paramount that he return to the field as soon as possible.
Irish was willing to shift to the outfield full time for the sake of the team.
“Ike, to his credit, wound up loving the program and wants us to go back to [the College World Series in] Omaha. He’s like, ‘Hey, whatever’s best for this team down the stretch, let’s do that.’ And we did,” Thompson said.
The Orioles could position Irish to return to catcher, though they drafted catcher Caden Bodine from Coastal Carolina 11 picks after Irish. Baltimore is also developing 20-year-old top prospect Samuel Basallo as a catcher.
If he sticks to his new position, Irish could add to the collection of outfield prospects the Orioles hold, including Enrique Bradfield Jr., Dylan Beavers and Nate George.
Regardless of where he plays, Thompson believes Irish’s hitting will keep him in the majors for years to come.
“There are very few hitters that I’ve coached or seen … where I believe this guy’s going to play for a long time at the highest level, not the minor league level but the major league level,” Thompson said. “Ike is in this category where his hit tool is greater than his power tool. … Ike has that uncanny ability that with two strikes, he’s just as happy when he goes back side to the six-hole between short and third and gets a base hit. He’s just as happy if the bases are loaded and he’ll grind you out for an 11-pitch at-bat and walk.”
To hear more from Thompson, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Auburn Athletics