Jackson Holliday already got invitation to Orioles camp seven months after getting drafted
Only 19 years old, Jackson Holliday has had a wild year for a teenager. This time last year he was still in his senior year of high school, and now he is in camp with a major league team.
He was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. The 2022 Baseball America High School Player of the Year, Holliday is the son of former big leaguer Matt Holliday.
In his senior year, Holliday broke the national record with 89 hits in 41 games. He would finish his senior year slashing .685/.749/1.392 with 17 home runs.
He got a brief taste of the minors in 2022. Playing in 20 games he slashed .297/.489/.422 with a home run and nine RBI between the Florida Complex League and Single-A Delmarva.
He's continued to train hard in the offseason and showed off his added power in a recent batting practice video.
According to MLB.com's Jake Rill, Holliday was asked about the invitation to camp. He said, "I was hoping for one. I wouldn't have been surprised if I didn't, but I'm very glad that I did and I'm looking to make the most of it."
Orioles general manager Mike Elias was asked about the club's decision to invite him at such a young age and said, "We thought he could handle it; we thought he was ready for it. ... We thought it would be a good experience for him even though that's not the norm."
When asked about Holliday, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said, "I've been so impressed watching him. It doesn't look like a kid that just was in high school a year ago. It's special ability, and he's really talented."
With no expectations to make the major league team, Holliday will use this as a chance to soak in all that he can to help him adjust as he climbs his way through the minor leagues in 2023.
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