(Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
At 37-24, the Baltimore Orioles have the third-best record in the American League.
If you were told in 2021 that they would be in prime position to play the postseason in two years, fans probably would have laughed.
That year, they were 52-110.
But things can change rather quickly in baseball.
All these years, the O’s have been accumulating quality prospects that have been called up and helped in the club’s renaissance: Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Grayson Rodriguez, Austin Hays, plus somewhat unheralded prospects turned into stars such as Felix Bautista, Yennier Cano, and Cedric Mullins.
However, they have a player who might be more talented than all of them currently playing in the minor leagues.
It’s Jackson Holliday, last year’s No. 1 draft pick.
The young shortstop is being assigned to high minor league levels for his age (he is 19 and is already one of the best players in High-A) as a way to challenge him and have him encounter some adversity to see how he responds, and the kid keeps dominating.
The O’s, of course, as well as fans, proudly show highlights of him every time they can.
Hotel, Motel, Holliday Inn pic.twitter.com/SXUALdbEtn
— Orioles Player Development (@OsPlayerDev) June 8, 2023
Holliday is still six months away from turning 20, yet he is slashing .328/.461/.574 in High-A with five home runs, 33 runs scored, 23 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.
That production has come in just 34 games so yes: the kid is really, really special.
The chances of seeing Holliday in the majors this year are slim to none.
However, if he keeps his current trajectory, he could become an option for the 2024 campaign.
As they say: the rich gets richer, as Holliday will eventually join a stacked Orioles team.
Good luck, MLB.
The post The Orioles Continue To Show Off A Future Star appeared first on The Cold Wire.