The Baltimore Orioles have invested heavily in developing a young core of talent over the last few years, but finding the right roles for everyone remains an important part of building a successful roster.
With Jackson Holliday, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Coby Mayo and other talented infielders competing for opportunities in 2027, the Orioles could eventually need to think outside the box.
One potential solution? Moving Jackson Holliday from second base to the outfield.
At first glance, the idea might seem unconventional. Holliday was selected No. 1 overall in the 2022 MLB Draft as a shortstop and has primarily played second in the majors. However, his athleticism and versatility could make a transition to the outfield a realistic possibility, and he would not be the first talented infielder to successfully make the switch.
One of the most notable recent examples is Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres. After beginning his career as a shortstop, like Holliday, Tatis transitioned to right field in 2023. The results were immediate, as he won both a Gold Glove and Platinum Glove that season.
National Baseball Hall of Famer Robin Yount transitioned from shortstop to the outfield with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1985. After spending the first several seasons of his career in the infield, Yount made the move at age 29 and continued producing at an elite level, winning his second American League MVP in 1989 while playing center and finishing the season with a .318 batting average, 21 home runs and 103 RBIs.
Another example is Alfonso Soriano, who transitioned from second base to left field. More recently, Jose Altuve has also received opportunities in left field, although he is still primarily a second baseman with the Houston Astros.
Now, these examples do not guarantee Holliday would experience similar success. Playing the outfield requires learning different responsibilities, including tracking fly balls, judging routes and understanding defensive positioning. However, they demonstrate that an infielder’s athleticism and baseball instincts can translate to an entirely different position.
When looking at Holliday, there are several reasons why this could work. First, Holliday possesses the speed to cover ground. That alone provides a foundation for a potential transition, particularly with the right coaching and consistent repetitions of tracking fly balls.
Playing the infield requires quick reactions and understanding hitters’ tendencies. While the positioning is clearly different, those instincts could also help Holliday adjust to the outfield.
Holliday received opportunities at third base this past season, and Orioles manager Craig Albernaz has expressed confidence in his athleticism, even suggesting he could potentially handle center field. While that does not mean a position change is imminent, it shows the organization recognizes his physical tools.
The biggest benefit, however, could be the Orioles’ long-term roster construction. Baltimore has several infielders capable of contributing at the major-league level, as Henderson is established at shortstop, Westburg can handle second and third base and Mayo, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson all provide flexibility.
The Orioles would need to determine whether Holliday is better suited for center field or one of the corner positions. Center requires tremendous range, while the corners places additional emphasis on throwing accuracy and arm strength. He would also need time to adjust without allowing the defensive transition to interfere with his bat.
Tatis, Soriano and Altuve have demonstrated that moving away from the infield does not necessarily mean sacrificing value. Holliday has the athleticism and baseball background to make the conversation worthwhile.
Ultimately, this is about maximizing the Orioles’ long-term roster flexibility. If Holliday can become a capable outfielder, the Birds could gain another athletic option while creating more opportunities for its other talented infielders.
What are your thoughts on the possibility of transitioning Jackson Holliday to the outfield? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, X, Bluesky and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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