NORFOLK, Va. (WTKR) — Jackson Holliday's 2024 stay in Norfolk lasted all of ten games.
The Orioles announced Wednesday morning that the Tides' second baseman, ranked as the top overall prospect by Baseball America, is being called up to the big club.
After being selected first overall by the Orioles in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft, Holliday rose up through the ranks of the minors quickly. He arrived in Norfolk late in 2023 and quickly adjusted to the Triple-A level.
Tides' manager Buck Britton could not confirm the call-up when News 3 spoke with him, but did offer his thoughts on Holliday's development after Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
"It's been a special couple of weeks for him," Britton said. "He came down with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder and when you get a guy who's that talented, that focused, this is kind of the result. A special talent performs and it's been really exciting to have him."
In 28 games with the Tides, Holliday hit .297/.429/.470 with four home runs and 18 runs batted in. Through just 10 games in 2024, the second baseman tallied a .333 batting average, collecting a hit in eight of those contests. He hit two home runs and collected nine RBI in his short stay in Norfolk this year, adding 12 walks to just eight strikeouts.
Holliday also helped Norfolk claim the International League title and Triple-A National Championship last season. He was not made available to reporters following Tuesday's contest at Harbor Park.
Despite a strong spring, the infielder was reassigned to minor league camp at the end of spring training. Orioles' general manager Mike Elias said the organization wanted him to work on playing second base and seeing more left-handed pitching at the Triple-A level.
Holliday is part of a crop of talent that is expected to be the next generation of stars in Baltimore. The young core of players ranks among the best in baseball and are in Norfolk to get at-bats every night.
"I think that's part of the reason they're doing what they're doing with these guys," Britton said of the Tides' parent club. "They want them to play every day. All these guys are still fairly young and they're still on their development track."
This marks the fourth year that baseball's top prospect has stopped in Norfolk. Adley Rutschman and Gunner Henderson also spent time with the Tides on their way to The Show. Having the highest-rated young player in the game in his clubhouse is something that never gets old for Britton.
"They're all really good people, high character guys with a lot of talent," the skipper said of the trio. "They kind of set the tone for this organization. When the number one overall prospect, the number one overall pick, plays the game the way these guys play the game, you've got no choice but to get on board."
The 20-year-old Holliday is the son of former major league all-star Matt Holliday.
