Orioles infield prospect Jackson Holliday tore through four levels of the Minors in a short time, and now he’s reportedly set to receive a callup to Baltimore. Multiple reports indicate that Holliday, who started 2024 in Triple-A, will join the Orioles. Here’s a look at what to expect from Holliday.
A Look at Holliday
It didn’t take long for Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday to storm up to the Majors. His promotion to Baltimore comes less than two full years after Baltimore took the son of former All-Star Matt Holliday first overall in the 2022 MLB Draft.
At the time, Holliday’s pick was somewhat of a surprise. Druw Jones, the son of Andruw Jones, was widely considered the best prospect in that draft heading into the spring, while Holliday was expected to go in the top five. To this point, though, Holliday’s far outpaced Jones.
From an upright, squared stance, Holliday’s got the full package. Despite his babyface, Holliday is a physically mature infielder with strength and power in spades, as he accrued 51 extra-base hits in his age-19 season in 2023. That year, he went through four levels and finished in Triple-A.
Holliday continued his hit barrage in the spring, as he posted a .311 average and seven extra-base hits over 15 Grapefruit League games.
Discipline-wise, Holliday walked 101 times in 125 games last year and accrued more walks (12) than strikeouts (8) in Norfolk in 2024. Scouting reports also laud his speed, not a shock given he swiped 24 bases last season.
Defensively, Holliday is a shortstop by trade. He’s got the range to be a shortstop in the Majors thanks to his speed but some reports have pondered whether Holliday will be a second baseman due to arm strength.
Holliday started eight of his 10 Triple-A games in 2024 at second, although that merely could have been to make him more versatile. Gunnar Henderson has been the Orioles’ regular shortstop during the early portions of 2024.
ESPN first reported that Jackson Holliday would receive a callup to the Orioles on April 9.
Related: What to Expect from Astros Pitcher Spencer Arrighetti
Analysis
Given Holliday’s advanced approach at the plate and tools, it’s fair to expect an immediate impact from the former top draft pick and potential 2024 AL Rookie of the Year candidate.
Still, there are some questions about how the O’s plan to use Holliday. One, will the Orioles stick him at second or let him play at short? Given he spent most of 2024 at second base and the presence of Gunnar Henderson at short, Holliday may very well get most of the playing time at second.
The Orioles have used several players, including Jordan Westburg and Tony Kemp, at second.
Another question is where Holliday will wind up batting in the O’s lineup, at least in the interim. Holliday is primed to be a #2 hitter in the Majors or even a leadoff hitter. However, the Orioles routinely run Gunnar Henderson and on-base machine Adley Rutschman atop the Baltimore lineup.
All in all, these are good problems for the Orioles to have.
Fantasy Outlook
Holliday is likely gone in most leagues, given his pedigree and the expectation he would be in Baltimore in short order.
The budding star has the opportunity to be a special fantasy asset, as early as this season.