Jackson Holliday getting called up by Orioles (source)

The Jackson Holliday era is about to begin in Baltimore.

The Orioles are drafting the 20-year-old infielder from Triple-A Norkfolk, MLB Pipeline’s top prospect, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Tuesday night. The club has not confirmed the news, which was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Holliday is expected to travel with the team for Game 2 of the series in Boston on Wednesday, sources said.

Holliday, the No. 1 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Oklahoma State High School, hit two home runs in 10 Triple-A games in 2024 and has career averages of .321 and .949. OPS in the minor leagues.

Holliday played just 18 games in Triple-A in 2023, when he was ranked among the top four minor league affiliates throughout the season. He had a chance to make the O’s big league roster in spring training, but they optioned him two days before the end of training camp, and general manager Mike Elias said the club wanted Holliday to get more reps at second base. And gain more experience against master-level left-handed pitching.

“He’s great,” Norfolk manager Buck Britton recently told MLB.com’s Melanie Martinez-Lopez. “He came in here with a chip on his shoulder. He wanted to prove that his performance in spring training wasn’t a fluke and that he was ‘the guy.'”

Jackson, the son of longtime MLB outfielder Matt Holliday, will be an immediate impact hitter for an Orioles team already loaded with talented young position players . American League Rookie of the Year Gunnar Henderson is MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2023, while Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman debuts in May 2022 It also occupies the second position in 2022. Behind Holliday, there are more reinforcements coming: Orioles prospects Samuel Barsalo, Kobe Mayo and Heston Shestad are all currently ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top 30 Among the rookies.

Henderson plays shortstop for the O’s, who are coming off a 101-win season and AL East title, and Holliday will likely play primarily second base in his debut. The Orioles second baseman is batting .206 with a .632 OPS in 2024, so Holliday could provide an offensive upgrade.

Jordan Westberg, who has been playing second and third, will likely get more time at third, while Holliday gets more time at second. Veteran versatile player Ramon Urias struggled early in the season, going 2-for-22 in eight games.

There’s no guarantee that the 20-year-old – who will be the second-youngest active hitter in MLB when he debuts, behind Milwaukee’s Jackson Jolio – will immediately adapt to the MLB. Major league pitching. But Holliday has produced well wherever he’s gone, including in 2024 spring training where he hit .311 with two homers, two triples and three doubles, and there’s no reason to think Baltimore will There is a difference.

“This guy is just a super athlete, but he’s great,” Britton said recently. “He interacts with you, asks questions, and asks smart questions. His ability to quickly adapt to new things is impressive and sets him apart. He is a happy guy both on and off the field. “

One thing is for sure: Holliday’s first game in an Orioles uniform will be one of the most anticipated debuts in recent years.