The up-and-coming Baltimore Orioles have the second-best record in the American League, at 15-7.
They look like they have been contending for a long time, but no.
They haven’t made the postseason since 2016, and it wasn’t until last year when they finally showed some progress at 83-79.
They were so bad in 2021 (52-110), that they had last year’s first overall pick in the MLB Draft.
They turned that selection into middle infielder Jackson Holliday.
Prospect evaluators saw Holliday as a special player, a sweet-swinging shortstop with above-average feel for contact and developing power.
He started to leave his mark last year.
First, he had a 1.167 OPS in eight games in the Florida Complex League.
He was then promoted to Class-A, where he posted a solid .772 OPS for a 18-year-old rookie.
He looks like he took a step forward this year, with a .392/.523/.667 line, two homers and a 1.190 OPS in 13 games and 65 plate appearances in Class-A.
The Orioles saw how he was too good for that level and are moving him up to Class A-Advanced.
Welcome to Aberdeen, @J_Holliday7!
Press Release: https://t.co/48LivGDUDb#TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/D0rgr0wJKS
— Aberdeen IronBirds (@IronBirds) April 24, 2023
The Aberdeen IronBirds play in a tougher league, known as a pitchers’ circuit.
It could represent more of a challenge for Holliday.
The team probably wants him to find some adversity so he can show the ability to make adjustments, like most top prospects have done on their way to the majors.
So far, Holliday has been too good for the minor leagues, but the road is just starting.
Class-A Advanced is not even considered in the high minors.
Since Holliday is just 19, he will be one of the youngest players in the league.
Even if he has some growing pains, he is a future star that should be up in Baltimore two or three years from now.
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Orioles Fans Are Starting To Believe The Hype
