After an unsuccessful first stint in the Major Leagues earlier this year, Orioles top prospect Jackson Holliday has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk following the MLB trade deadline.
Baseball’s consensus number 1 prospect returned to the Orioles lineup against the Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday, batting 8th and playing 2nd base. In corresponding moves, Baltimore activated LHP Gregory Soto, and opined C Blake Hunt and UTIL Terrin Vavra to Triple-A Norfolk.
A vacancy at 2nd base materialized following the team’s trade of Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers to the Miami Marlins on Tuesday in exchange for LHP Trevor Rogers. Norby, a rookie himself, had begun taking reps at second following a dislocated elbow to Jorge Mateo who has since been placed on the injured list.
In his first taste of Major League action, Holliday struggled at the plate, batting 2 for 34 with 18 strikeouts. After being reassigned to Triple-A, he’s since rediscovered his form, hitting .271/.431/.477 with 10HRs, 38 RBIs and 75 walks in 73 games.
Originally drafted as a shortstop, Holliday has been getting himself acclimated at second base given the emergence of 2024 American League MVP candidate Gunnar Henderson. With the 20 year old making adjustments to his swing in the minors, the club felt comfortable moving Norby and bringing Holliday back to the big league club.
Baltimore’s starting rotation has been decimated by injuries this season, with 3 pitchers hitting the IL with season ending injuries to date. As a result, the club targeted pitching heading into the MLB trade deadline this week, ultimately landing both Rogers and RHP Zach Eflin to bolster their depleted ranks.
The Orioles currently sit a half game up on the New York Yankees for top spot in the AL East, and continue their series with Toronto this afternoon.
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