Orioles pitching prospect Trace Bright called being selected by Baltimore in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft a “surreal moment” … because he grew up an Orioles fan.
Wait, really? The Montgomery, Ala., native and Auburn right-hander grew up a fan of the Orioles? Well, there’s more: He has family in Havre de Grace, meaning he was familiar with Harford County before ever pitching at Ripken Stadium for High-A Aberdeen.
Between growing up an Orioles fan and seeing the player development success stories that have come out of the Orioles’ farm system, Baltimore was the perfect fit in Bright’s mind.
“It was really more of a surreal moment for me because being a lifelong Orioles fan and having family in the area,” Bright said on Glenn Clark Radio May 10. “So it was full circle not only because of that but also because you look at the prospects that they’ve put out and the young talent that they have in the organization stands out as a young draftee.”
Bright wore No. 8 growing up in honor of Cal Ripken Jr. He’s already attended games at Camden Yards. He knows some good spots to eat in the area. That didn’t stop friends from asking why he was a fan of the Orioles.
