Baseball’s top prospect, Jackson Holliday, is headed to the big leagues after being called up by the Baltimore Orioles. Holliday was the first overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and is the top-ranked prospect in all of baseball. The son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, worked his way up the Orioles minor league system last season finishing the year with Triple-A Norfolk.
The 20-year-old middle infielder seemed poised to make the Orioles Opening Day roster after his stellar performance in spring training. So, the decision for Holliday to start the season in Triple-A and not with the Orioles came as a surprise. General manager Mike Elias cited Holliday’s limited experience at second base and against upper-level left-handed pitching as the primary reasons for the decision. “He’s very, very close,” Elias said.
Holliday responded to the decision perfectly by taking Rays prospect left-hander Mason Montgomery deep in the Tides’ home opener. In 10 games with the Tides, Holliday slashed .333/.482/.595 with four doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/Z886kWQZBx
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 10, 2024
Orioles Promote Jackson Holliday
He’s a natural shortstop but spent most of spring camp at the keystone. With Gunnar Henderson as Baltimore’s primary shortstop, Holliday is expected to serve as his double-play partner at second base. Baltimore’s infield has been Ryan Mountcastle at first, Jordan Westburg at second, Ramón Urías at third, and Henderson at shortstop. Urías has struggled at the plate batting just .091/.130/.091 in 22 at-bats to start the season. Holliday’s role with Baltimore has yet to be established, but the early consensus is that Westburg would move to third and Holliday would play second.
Baltimore, 6-4, is currently in the middle of a three-game road series at Boston. Holliday is expected to join the Orioles in Boston before returning to Camden Yards for his home debut this weekend. He will wear the number seven, the same number worn by his father, Matt Holliday, for most of his career. Holliday will not only share the number with his father but also with Orioles Hall of Fame manager, Cal Ripken Sr. Orioles legend (and now part-owner), Cal Ripken Jr. shared that he and his family were “thrilled” that Holliday had chosen to wear his dad’s number.
Our family is thrilled that @J_Holliday7 will be wearing dad’s #7 … Excited to watch him play!
— Cal Ripken, Jr. (@CalRipkenJr) April 10, 2024
Holliday’s joining an Orioles team coming off a historic 101-win season and an American League East title in 2023. The Orioles have their sights set on advancing in the postseason and bringing a World Series trophy back to Baltimore. Whatever his role may be, Jackson Holliday has the talent to aid in Baltimore’s pursuit of a World Series championship.
Main Photo: © Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
