The 2023 MLB draftees have been fun to watch in their first full season in the minor leagues, especially when it comes to the Orioles.
With players like Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Tavian Josenberger, two outfielders drafted in the first three rounds, it’s been great to watch these young guys grow as pro baseball players.
But the Orioles found a diamond in the rough in last year’s draft, and he has outperformed everyone so far this season. Meet outfielder Matthew Etzel.
Etzel started his collegiate career at Panola College, a small junior college located in Carthage, Texas. Etzel wouldn’t get notice until 2022 when he played for the Williamsport Crosscutters in the MLB Draft League, having a 1.049 OPS in 33 games with 43 hits, 14 extra-base hits and 25 stolen bases.
Etzel would transfer for the 2023 season to Southern Mississippi, and that was where he really got his name out there as an outfield prospect for the draft. After the 2023 collegiate season, Etzel would end up getting drafted by the Orioles in the 10th round.
Etzel would spend the 2023 season between the FCL Orioles, Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds and High-A Aberdeen IronBirds. In 30 games, he would slash .323/.455/.510 with a .966 OPS, collecting 31 total hits, eight doubles, two triples, two home runs and 25 RBIs. He also stole 21 bases in 24 attempts.
The 22-year-old would enter the 2024 season back with the IronBirds, and he has picked up right where he left off. In 41 games, Etzel is slashing .299/.388/.465 with a .853 OPS. He’s tallied 43 hits, eight doubles, two triples and four home runs so far this year.
He has also knocked in 24 RBIs, walked 21 times and stolen 23 bases. He has been one of the best hitters for Aberdeen and in the South Atlantic League as a whole.
Etzel is currently not a top 30 prospect for the Orioles yet is playing like he’s a top 10 prospect. He credits his strong start to this season to his offseason work regimen.
According to an interview he did with Jake Rill of MLB.com, during the winter, Etzel worked out at Dynamic Sports Training in Houston four times a week. He said he added 15 pounds of muscle and has continued to follow a program put in place by Aberdeen strength and conditioning coach Chris Frosch.
If Etzel keeps performing up to his standards, we could see him make the jump to Double-A Bowie in the near future. Keep a close eye on him.
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