After only one hit so far, did the Orioles call up Jackson Holliday too early? (2024)

BALTIMORE —

The Baltimore Orioles called up top prospect Jackson Holliday last week, believing it was time for the 20-year-old second baseman to get his first taste of the big leagues. Now, six games later, Holliday is struggling at the plate with only one hit and 12 strikeouts.

This begs the question, "Did the Orioles call up Holliday too early?"

Holliday is batting .045 since being called up and seems to have lost his confidence with the bat. He has played solid defense at second base and seems adjusted to his new position after being a shortstop his whole career.

So, will the Orioles be as patient with Holliday as they were with former top prospects Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman? Can they afford to this year with the stakes being much higher than before?

There are a couple of factors that will play into how they handle Holliday going forward, including the team's performance, as well as other options at second base, but here is a guess of what they may do with their budding superstar.

Be patient like before

Young players usually have a difficult time transitioning to the majors, especially those with limited minor league experience, like Holliday. The Orioles are no stranger to this as they have had several rookies struggle out the gate, only to find their way.

It took Rutschman three months to crack a .250 batting average during his rookie season. Henderson only batted .201 over the first couple of months last year before finishing strong and winning the American League Rookie of the Year award. Even the reigning AL player of the week, Colton Cowser, was ineffective his first stint in 2023, but has found his stride this year.

The Orioles should treat Holliday the same as he has shown the ability to hit at every level in the minor leagues (.321 career average). He should be allowed to fail like the other top players in the Orioles system did early on in their careers. The team has gotten a boost from his presence on the club with a 5-1 record since he was called up, so he should not feel the pressure to perform immediately.

Other options?

Another factor that may keep Holliday in the majors is the lack of other options the Orioles have at second base. Jorge Mateo looks like he will play second against left-handed pitching, while utility man Ramon Urias looks like a defensive replacement only as he has struggled to hit this season (.167 average). Holliday provides the best combination of offensive potential and defensive ability of the players currently on the roster.

The Orioles released veteran second baseman Tony Kemp, who was signed by the Minnesota Twins, so they do not have a veteran they can pull up from the minors. One option may be another Orioles top prospect, No. 6 Conor Norby, 23, who has spent the last two seasons dominating at the Triple-A level. He is currently batting .309 with four home runs for the Norfolk Tides and has been known for his hitting ability since being drafted in 2021. The only issue with Norby is his defense, as he has primarily been an outfielder this season but played mostly second base in 2023.

Prediction

As long as the team continues its winning ways, the Orioles will take a patient approach to Holliday. He is batting at the bottom of the order and will not be relied on to have a huge offensive season. This should allow him to find his way at the plate. But if his struggles begin to affect his confidence, then a trip back to the minors, similar to Grayson Rodriguez in 2023, could be helpful.