The Orioles sealed the signing of first-round pick Vance Honeycutt, an outfielder from North Carolina, ahead of Thursday’s deadline for an over-slot value of $4 million, a source confirmed to The Baltimore Banner.

The signing bonus, which was first reported by MLB Pipeline, marks the first time under executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias that the Orioles signed a first-round pick for more than the slot value of the selection. MLB assigns a recommended bonus for each pick, and, at No. 22, Honeycutt was estimated to receive $3,802,200.

Honeycutt brings a unique set of skills to the Orioles’ farm system. His blend of speed and power allowed him to hit 28 homers and steal 28 bases as a junior with the Tar Heels. Although he was docked in scouting reports for his strikeout rate — and likely fell to Baltimore because of it — Honeycutt hit .318 with a 1.124 on-base-plus-slugging percentage this season.

He will join an organization that has a strong track record of developing hitters, including fellow first-round picks Adley Rutschman, Colton Cowser and Jackson Holliday.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about the player development and those guys that have come through the system,” Honeycutt said on a Zoom call following his signing. “So, super excited to have an opportunity to be able to do that. Looking forward to getting going.”

Honeycutt will report to Sarasota, Florida, to begin his work with the organization. Matt Blood, the Orioles’ director of player development and domestic scouting, said Honeycutt could finish the season with Low-A Delmarva after acclimating in Florida.

The Orioles parted with several high-quality prospects at the trade deadline as they bolstered their major league roster. Among the outgoing players were outfielder Kyle Stowers and infielder Connor Norby for Miami Marlins left-hander Trevor Rogers. Honeycutt enters the rankings as Baltimore’s No. 8 prospect, according to Baseball America.

With the signing of left-hander Iziah Salinas, taken in the 17th round, by Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline, Baltimore secured deals with all 21 players it selected.

Honeycutt is the second straight outfield prospect Baltimore chose in the first round, following Enrique Bradfield of Vanderbilt in 2023. Blood said Bradfield and Honeycutt are “both fantastic defensive players” and having both in the farm system is a luxury.

“He can do so many things at a very high level,” Blood said of Honeycutt. “He is his own unique player, and he can just impact the game both offensively at the plate, on the bases and on the defensive side as well. So I really don’t want to put him into any box. He’s capable of really doing just about everything.”

He showed it at North Carolina. Blood said he was surprised Honeycutt fell to the Orioles at No. 22 because of the combination of speed and power. And on defense Honeycutt is superb. He won the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award twice and earned a Rawlings Gold Glove for his work in center field.

“Vance is not a center fielder,” said Scott Boras, Honeycutt’s representative. “He is an athletic center fielder.”

“He has explosion. He has grace. He has the ability to track a baseball,” Boras continued. “A lot of guys have speed. A lot of guys have athleticism, but he is someone who can track a baseball at high levels, get there and know where the ball is when he goes to catch it. And I think that’s a separator for us.”

The strikeout rate is something to watch, of course. Honeycutt struck out in 27.5% of his plate appearances as a junior. He said that will be an area he focuses on in Florida under the supervision of Orioles coaches.

Despite that, Honeycutt has also posted a high on-base percentage and a high average. And, with his speed and power, he’s an all-around threat.

“It’s a super exciting day, super exciting last couple of weeks,” Honeycutt said. “Just kind of felt like that part of your journey, the chapter is kind of closing and then you’re going to get to start a new chapter, but just trusting in the process, trusting representation.”