When the Baltimore Orioles drafted Jackson Holliday in 2022, No. 1 overall, they knew they were getting a five-tool talent that had a high baseball IQ. Little did they know, they drafted a second-generation athlete who would put up video-game-like numbers on his rise through the minors.
Jackson Holliday is the eldest son of former seven-time All-Star and World Series Champion, Matt Holiday. Jackson growing up with a father in the big leagues led to a maturity that would show during spring training this season as a 19-year-old non-roster invitee.
The lessons picked up, knowledge learned and the proper way to act as a professional were all influenced by the younger Holliday’s father and fellow teammates. These lessons helped shape and mold the young man into the player we are seeing today.
Since Holliday has arrived on the scene, he has shown how seasoned he truly is. From plate discipline that has led him to more walks than strikeouts, to defensive awareness when ranging to one side or make the off balance spin hop throws to nail a runner down the line.
So what has Holliday accomplished that has the baseball world taking notice? At just 19 years of age, he is in High-A Aberdeen, and with his recent Player of the Week and Month awards, is showing he could possibly be in Double-A Bowie long before his 20th birthday.
As a first-year player, Holliday tore through rookie ball right into Low-A ball. Across his 20 games, he slashed .297/.489/.422 with a home run and nine RBIs. Impressive as that was, it was the 25 walks to just 12 strikeouts that stood out.
The plate discipline displayed by a first-year player was of a seasoned veteran. His pre-draft profile listed him as a hit-first shortstop with speed. He seems to be proving that profile is wrong, as well as what Baltimore saw over others.
Players like Druw Jones, Temarr Johnson and Elijah Green, all players expected ahead of Holliday, are stuck in Low-A batting in the low .200s with strikeout issues.
For comparison, Holliday had a streak of 40 games where he reached base at least once. In 56 games this season, he has struck out 51 times but has walked 51 times and collected 68 total hits as well.
Pushing for another promotion while other draftees are struggling to find success shows that Orioles GM Mike Elias not only did his due diligence but that Holliday was so much more than what scouts saw.
Aberdeen is fortunate to have the young phenom. Currently slashing .315/.457/.517, Holliday has helped to turn the IronBirds around, and they have climbed over the .500 mark since his arrival.
His effect on teams is similar to what Adley Rutschman has brought to the Orioles. Of course, comparing the two is apples to oranges, but the effect that they have had is very similar.
Holliday, of course, is still at least a year away from debuting in the bigs, but his path is one similar to that of Orioles rookie Gunnar Henderson.
For the Orioles, this is a Holliday they will enjoy celebrating for many years to come. No, it’s not a calendar date. It’s a young phenom named Jackson.
What do you think of Holliday’s 2023 season thus far? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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