The first overall selection in the 2022 draft by the Orioles, Jackson Holliday flew through the minor league systems at just 19-year old, and is widely considered across baseball as the top prospect in all of baseball.
Jackson Holliday
Pos: SS/2B
Bats: L
Throws: R
Age (as of Jun 30th) : 19
2023 Levels: A/A+/AA/AAA
Tools (current/future value)
Hit: 45/70
Game Power: 40/55
Raw Power: 40/60
Run: 55/55
Defense: 45/55
Most Likely Future Role: Starting 1st Division SS or 2B
Ceiling: 1st Division Starting SS, multiple All-Star appearances
What we know: The 1st overall pick in the 2022 draft, this 19-year old left-handed-hitting shortstop has the making of a future superstar, and that future may begin at the major league level sooner than later. Although not as physical as say a Gunnar Henderson or Manny Machado at 19, he keeps his body under control in all aspects of the game and still has lots of room to grow into more strength. Went from Low A-ball to AAA in his first full minor league season as a 19-year old, and never looked out of place among the older competition.
Jackson brings 70 grade bat to ball skills with a very advance feel for hitting at a very young baseball age. He can drive the ball to all fields, even hitting multiple oppo home runs, but was more of a line drive hitter. He tends to drift out of the box a bit at times and struggles at times to hit left-handed breaking balls. That upper body leaking suggests there’s more power in the bat. Overall though, he picks up spin well and will make in game adjustments. He’s got a well above average control of the strike zone and although he has some miss in his swing at times, especially when it gets a bit long, he makes good adjustments and battles with two strikes.
Defensively, Jackson has an average arm at shortstop and average range, though he doesn’t show that explosive quickness team may prefer at shortstop. His hands are solid and should get better as he matures. At just 19-years old, he’s hasn’t grown into his man strength so the arm and quickness could still improve. As of now, he’s behind Gunnar Henderson and Joey Ortiz defensively at SS but that could change with some more physicality that comes with age.
He runs well, and although he’s not a burner, he’s an above average runner with a good aptitude to steal bases. He may not be a big time stolen base threat at the major league level, but should be able to steal 15-20 bases a season.
Not surprisingly after growing up in major league clubhouses, he has off the charts baseball aptitude, is a hard worker, and by all reports, is a humble young man who gets along well with his teammates.
What we don’t know: Holliday is going to be a major leaguer but the question is when? Mike Elias has stated he will get an opportunity to win a job at major league camp next spring, but the Orioles typically like to get their top prospects at least 200+ PAs in AAA before bringing them up. Defensively, he has some work to do at SS and while he shows solid average quickness, he doesn’t have the plus arm and quickness most teams want at the SS position. Without some improvements as he grows into his man strength, his best position might be at 2B at the major league level if he stays on the dirt.
What we think: While Jackson doesn’t bring top of the chart power and speed to his tools, his 70, maybe 75 hit tool will be his carrying tool at the major league level. He’s going to hit for average, draw walks, and should fill out more to give him 20-30 home run power at the major league level. While he may never be a gold glove candidate at SS, he should be able to be a solid average defensive SS and if he moves to 2B, he could be a well above average fielder.
With the Orioles currently stacked with second base and shortstops, they can take it a bit slow and allow him to physically mature in AAA next year if there is not an immediate need. We could see the Orioles giving him the Gunnar Henderson treatment by bringing him up late in August so he’s available for a playoff roster, but not giving him enough PAs to lose his rookie status for 2025.
Some Action Shots by Patrick Cavey:
