ESPN first reported that the Baltimore Orioles are calling up shortstop Jackson Holliday. Former MLB player Matt Holliday’s son is the league’s top prospect who spent a few weeks in Triple-A Norfolk Tides. He will be the sixth MLB player since 1996 to debut at 20 or younger.
The Orioles did not include Jackson Holliday in their Opening Day roster, which was surprising considering his fantastic Spring Training. It didn’t take long before Holliday proved he belonged to MLB, getting 14 hits in 42 at-bats with Norfolk.
“Now batting, and making his major league debut, number 1, Jackson Holliday”
— Jason Benowitz (@jbenowitz1831) April 10, 2024
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In what turned out to be his final minor league game with the Tides, he connected on a double in four at-bats and earned a base on balls. Last year, Holliday hit .323/.442/.499 throughout four minor league levels. Aside from his first stint with the Tides, he also suited up for the Bowie Baysox in Double-A, the Aberdeen Ironbirds in A+, and the Delmarva Shorebirds in A.
Holliday will join a young but promising Orioles core featuring Adley Rutschman and 2023 American League Rookie of the Year Gunnar Henderson. But with shortstop Ramon Urias also in the lineup, Baltimore might use Holliday at second base against right-handed pitchers. They can rest him against some left-handed pitchers while Urias and Jordan Westburg take the infield.
Meanwhile, Baseball America’s Matt Eddy reported that the Orioles are still eligible to receive a first-round draft pick even if Holliday wins the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year award. Eddy wrote that Holliday must not spend more than two weeks with the Tides to keep the incentive intact.
-Lance Fernandez