Jackson Holliday made it clear why he is almost unanimously considered MLB's No. 1 prospect on Friday, launching a solo home run in his first at-bat of the triple-A season.
Batting first and playing shortstop for the Norfolk Tides, Holliday worked a 2-1 count against Durham Bulls pitcher Mason Montgomery before pulling a 91.1 m.p.h fastball over the wall in right field. The ball went 403 feet and was hit 102.9 m.p.h.
Holliday would go on to finish a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-5 with four RBIs in a 12-8 win over the Tampa Bay Rays' triple-A affiliate.
The 20-year-old is ranked as the top prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline and Baseball America after shooting up through the Baltimore Orioles system in 2023, slashing .333/.442/.499 with 12 home runs and 24 stolen bases over four levels, ending the year in triple-A.
Holliday made a strong case to make Baltimore's Opening Day roster in spring training, posting a .954 OPS with two home runs in 15 games.
The Orioles selected Holliday first overall in the 2022 MLB Draft. They have until April 11 to promote Holliday and be eligible for a prospect promotion pick at the end of the first round of the 2025 amateur draft, such as were earned by Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez in 2022 and Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson and Arizona’s Corbin Carroll last year.
— With files from The Associated Press
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