Jackson Holliday’s poor 10-game MLB debut has not deterred him from returning to the majors in 2024. He hopes to rejoin the Baltimore Orioles at some time this season.
Holliday stated as much on June 26 when questioned about his rehab from elbow pain.
“I’m going to take some time and get it all healed up to hopefully make a run at the big league team after the All-Star break,” Holliday told David Hall of The Virginian-Pilot.
Holliday was on the disabled list for 11 days before returning to the Norfolk Tide lineup on June 25. He’s been restricted to a designated hitting role while he recovers from elbow pain.
Hall noted that Holliday has moved to throwing drills in practice as he prepares to return to his full-time duty at second base.
MLB’s All-Star break is from July 12 to July 16. Once it’s over, Holliday expects to rejoin the Orioles for their last run before the playoffs.
The 20-year-old prospect is cutting.This season, he has a 272/.437/.467 batting line with 7 home runs and 28 RBIs with the Tides.
Holliday Struggled in 1st MLB Stint
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73428461/usa_today_23041317.0.jpg)
Holliday, who began 2024 as MLB’s consensus top prospect, underperformed in his first major league appearance. He went 2-for-34 with 18 strikeouts in 10 games with Baltimore.
In a May 25 interview with Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Holliday discussed his brief debut.
“It is a little unfortunate,” Holliday told Cassell. “But being able to come down here and relax and work on things and then go back up there and compete at a high level and have an impact on the team is how I see it. I mean, obviously, this is not where I want to be; I want to be in the major leagues. But I’m just trying to be present and stay where my feet are.
After being called up to the majors on April 9, he was optioned back to Triple-A just 17 days later, on April 26.
“I felt really good in spring training, and going into the beginning of the year, and obviously had a little of a down stretch,” Holliday told Cassell in an interview. “So just trying to build back up a little bit and get my confidence up.”
Elias on Holliday: ‘We’ve Got Very High Hopes for Him’
During the Tides’ most recent victory over the Charlotte Knights, general manager Mike Elias was asked about possibly trading Holliday.
He described the concept as “tough” and told Melanie Newman that the Orioles are optimistic about the 20-year-old’s future in the MLB.
“It’s a tough one to trade,” Elias stated on June 27. “He is the top prospect in minor league baseball, a difficult talent to acquire. We have been developing him and have high expectations for him.” He’s way ahead of anyone in his age group, so this isn’t something we’ll be interested in exploring.”
Holliday’s attitude in Baltimore hasn’t changed despite his 10-game debut and elbow concerns. It is only a matter of when, not if, he will return to Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
