2025 MLB Draft Profile: Ike Irish

Overview

Position: OF/C

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 201 pounds

School: Auburn

Ike Irish is a 6’2”, 201-pound outfielder/catcher who plays for the Auburn University Tigers. Irish has been one of the biggest risers in this draft class after a monster junior season. He a well-rounded hitter and could be an option for the Marlins with the seventh pick.

Irish was a blue-chip prospect and Perfect Game All-American coming out of Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep in Hudsonville, Michigan. On Perfect Game, he was the 39th-ranked prospect and the third-ranked catcher in the Class of 2022. He was also the second-ranked prospect in the state of Michigan. Irish went undrafted and signed with the Auburn Tigers.

During his freshman season, Irish earned a starting role for the Tigers and made an instant impact on their offense. Irish was one of two players to start in all 58 games for Auburn in 2023. He slashed .361/.429/.546 with 86 hits, 24 doubles, six home runs, 50 RBIs, a .419 BABIP, and a .975 OPS on his way to being named a Freshman All-American.

In his sophomore season, Irish continued to produce for the Tigers and started to tap into his raw power. In 47 games, he slashed .319/.403/.627 with 58 hits, eleven doubles, two triples, fourteen home runs, 59 RBIs, and a 1.030 OPS. After the season, Irish was named First Team All-SEC.

Irish raised the bar even higher as a junior, showcasing his ability to hit for average and with even more power. During the 2025 season, Irish slashed .364/.469/.710 with 78 hits, thirteen doubles, nineteen home runs, 58 RBIs, eleven stolen bases, 165 wRC+, and a 1.179 OPS. He was named First Team All-SEC for the second season in a row and First Team All-American by the ABCA.

Irish is a left-handed hitter with quick hands and plus bat-to-ball skills. He has a gap-to-gap approach with most of his power to his pull side. He showed the ability to hit against high velocity with an 84% contact rate on pitches 92 mph or more. He also handles secondary pitches well and looks comfortable in the batter’s box against left-handed pitchers.

While Irish’s hit tool and raw power make him an intriguing prospect, he does need to improve on his approach and lift. A lot of his grounders (47.2 GB%) are the result of offering at pitches that he'd be better off taking. If Irish can be a bit more patient at the plate, he could get himself into better counts and avoid cheap outs.

On defense, Irish played the outfield for most of the 2025 season after fracturing his scapula early in the season. Irish isn’t great defensively behind the plate, but has improved on his receiving skills and mechanics. The Michigan native does have a great arm, which makes scouts believe he’s more suited to play right field.

On Just Baseball, Irish is the tenth-ranked draft prospect. He is the thirteenth-ranked prospect on Baseball America.

Strengths

• Plus hit tool
• Plus raw power
• Can drive the ball to all fields with authority
• Hits well against high velocity
• Plus arm strength

Weaknesses

• Doesn’t project as a catcher
• High ground ball rate
• Needs to be more patient at the plate

Pro Comparison: Ryan O’Hearn

Projection: Top 15 pick

Bottom Line

Ike Irish has produced at a high level for the Auburn Tigers this season to secure himself of a first-round selection. Irish could be an underslot option for the Marlins with the seventh overall pick if their top choices have already been taken.

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