No. 1 prospect Holliday heading to Baltimore to join O’s (source)
BALTIMORE — MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 overall prospect appears to potentially be getting his second shot in the big leagues.
Jackson Holliday was en route to Baltimore on Tuesday night, a source told MLB.com. It’s possible the 20-year-old infielder could be added to the O’s roster on Wednesday — when they’ll close out a four-game series against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards — though the team has not yet confirmed if a roster move involving Holliday will be made.
There’s also a chance Holliday could travel with the Orioles to Cleveland — where they open a four-game series vs. the Guardians on Thursday — and get called up after the club arrives there.
Holliday was originally scheduled to be in Triple-A Norfolk’s lineup Tuesday night against Charlotte, but he was scratched. Now, he may be getting another opportunity in the Majors — and he could stick there for good this time.
Holliday’s first stint in the big leagues earlier this year did not go too well. He was called up by the Orioles on April 10 — when he made his debut at Fenway Park vs. the Red Sox — and then proceeded to go 2-for-34 with 18 strikeouts over 10 games.
On April 27, Holliday was optioned back to Triple-A, where he later spent time on the injured list from June 14-25 due to right elbow inflammation.
After returning to Norfolk, Holliday slashed .257/.426/.457 with 18 doubles, eight home runs and 28 RBIs in 60 games. In July, he has hit .277 with a .948 OPS over 19 games for the Tides.
From June 25-July 14, Holliday exclusively started at designated hitter while recovering from his right elbow ailment, but he returned to the field after the All-Star break, making five starts at second base and one at shortstop over his past nine Triple-A games.
The Orioles will have plenty of available playing time at second base, where Holliday made all 10 of his MLB appearances. Jorge Mateo (left elbow subluxation) was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday, and Connor Norby was sent to the Marlins in a Trade Deadline deal for left-hander Trevor Rogers.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Holliday quickly climbed Baltimore’s Minor League system. He played at all four full-season affiliates in ‘23, going from Single-A Delmarva all the way up to Triple-A Norfolk.
Holliday was under consideration to make the Orioles’ Opening Day roster out of Spring Training, but he was optioned to Triple-A during the last week of camp. He still made it to the big leagues less than two weeks after Opening Day.
There’s been a ton of hype surrounding Holliday throughout his baseball career, considering he’s the son of seven-time All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday. Meanwhile, Jackson’s younger brother, Ethan, could be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Stillwater (Okla.) High School.
If Baltimore’s top prospect can start to reach his massive potential, he could give the team a big boost amid its push to win a second straight American League East title. Holliday could become the Orioles’ starting second baseman and play a key role over the next two months and possibly into the postseason.