VIRGINIA BEACH (WTKR) — When Virginia baseball visited Harbor Park to play Old Dominion in April, Cox alum Ethan Anderson was swarmed with family, friends, and young up-and-coming stars who looked up to him.
It turns out that might not be his lone trip to the Tides' home.
Anderson was taken by the Baltimore Orioles with the 61st pick in the 2024 MLB Draft on Sunday night, the parent team of the Norfolk Tides.
"It's been crazy, I didn't go to bed until two in the morning and then waking up at 8:30 just in excitement," he said. "I grew up going to Tides games with my parents and friends. The Baltimore Orioles are a great organization."
The Virginia Beach native spent three years with the Cavaliers, enjoying a breakout season during his sophomore campaign. Hit tallied a .375 batting average with 15 home runs and with 66 runs batted in during a year that saw UVA make the College World Series.
For his career in Charlottesville, Anderson hit .341 with 28 home runs and 145 RBIs. He's spent time at catcher and as a utility player for the Cavaliers, but spent much of the latter part of the 2024 as the designated hitter for Brian O'Connor's group.
He earned himself first team All-ACC honors in 2024 and a third team selection at first base in 2023.
"You go to Virginia, nothing's handed to you," Anderson said. "That's why a lot of guys are attracted there, because you know you're going to get the best out of yourself. I learned quickly how to compete at Virginia and everything they do prepares you for the next level."
Anderson now aims to follow in the footsteps of some of the Tidewater's best baseball prospects, including Ryan Zimmerman, David Wright, BJ and Justin Upton, and Chris Taylor.
A fellow Cox and UVA product, Anderson was in constant contact with the Dodgers utility player throughout his development.
"I've hit with him a few times and after I got drafted he sent me a text," Anderson said. "He's a role model and so to hear that from was really special."
Anderson won't be the lone member of Virginia's team to dive into the Orioles' farm system. Shortstop Griff O'Ferrall was taken by the franchise with the 32nd overall pick.
"Once I figured out I was going to Baltimore, I texted him," Anderson said. "Once I got on the phone with him, we were screaming at each other."
O'Ferrall was a two-time first team All-ACC player for the Cavaliers, collecting a team-high 92 hits and a .324 batting average in 2024.
Both Anderson and O'Ferrall helped UVA punch tickets to back-to-back College World Series over the last two seasons.
The Orioles have been known for their depth of talent through the farm system. Multiple players like Jackson Holliday, Connor Norby, Kyle Stowers, and Heston Kjerstad have spent time with the Tides and O's in 2024.
That level of development gives Anderson confidence that he'll be put in the right places.
"Seeing the prospects that they've delivered, not only the guys at the top of major league team," he said. "The minor league prospects that probably are MLB guys, but they're behind All-Stars right now."
Now Anderson knows his journey to the pros could lead him back to where some of his best baseball moments have happened. Once the player seeking the next stars autograph, the catcher could now potentially return to Harbor Park as the one everyone else wants to see.
"Knowing that could be a possible future for me, I'm very grateful for," he said.
