NC State OF Ty Head selected in the 2nd round by the Baltimore Orioles. Here is his path to the majors.

Head becomes the highest-drafted Wolfpack player since catcher Patrick Bailey was taken 13th overall in 2020. The Orioles, who also selected high school outfielder Eric Booth Jr. in the first round, added another top-end outfield talent with Head.

His time in Raleigh…

The Winter Garden, Florida, native made an immediate impact upon arriving at NC State. As a freshman in 2025, Head earned All-ACC Freshman Team honors, posting 49 hits, 11 doubles, four home runs, and 33 RBIs. His defensive prowess was evident early, with just one error and four outfield assists, highlighting his elite range and OF instincts.

In 2026, Head elevated his game significantly. He led the Wolfpack with a .291 batting average, 55 hits, eight doubles, 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 64 runs scored. He also stole 26 bases (on 29 attempts) and drew 57 walks with just 23 strikeouts, showcasing exceptional plate discipline.

Head’s unique combination of power and speed made him the only ACC player to record double-digit home runs and 20+ stolen bases in the regular season. Defensively, he maintained a perfect fielding percentage in center field, earned an ABCA Gold Glove Award (the third in program history), and produced numerous highlight-reel “web gems.”

Over his two seasons, Head appeared in 112 games, recording 104 hits in 368 at-bats, 18 home runs, 81 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases.

Projections and Slot Value

The Baltimore media loved the pick-up, projecting Head as their potential CF of the future. The stats say he’ll likely become an MLB-levelOF with plus contact skills, strong CF defense, and the potential to develop into a 20-home-run, 20-stolen-base contributor. One scouting take described him as “a projectable, well-rounded hitter who has already found ways to thrive… and seems to be growing into more power.”

The slot value for the 46th pick is approximately $2.18 million, with a signing bonus still TBD.

What’s his MLB path look like?

Ty honestly has a decent path to the majors. The Orioles have once-prized prospect Colton Cowser, who is struggling to reach his potential, now batting just .218 with 8 HRs over his first 200 ABs. This is year 4 for Cowser and if he doesn’t pick it up in the 2nd half, they may look elsewhere.

They have another young OF in Dylan Beavers, but he too is hitting below .230 without any pop at the MLB level.

On the farm, they have Enrique Bradfield Jr. in AAA who projects to be an elite CF defensively, but there are still some questions about his bat. He’s hitting .262 in AAA, which is inline with his .264 MiLB average over his first 3 years of pro ball. He’s got great speed but no pop and only decent plate discipline.

Head will start in the low minors, but I believe we’ll see him rise through the ranks rather quickly. Baltimore has a young core, and are about to enter a win-now window with Gunner Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Sam Basallo, and Jackson Holliday all under 25, and Pete Alonso signed through the 2030 season.

The Orioles lack a CF with elite defense, the ability to control the strike zone, hit for average, steal bases, and provide some pop. Ty Head can give them all of that, but he’ll have to compete with the Orioles 1st round pick, Eric Booth Jr, who is another plus defender in CF with elite speed and emerging pop. Booth, however, is comign from HS so he has a higher ceiling but comes with risk.

Here are Ty’s season highlights…