Key Takeaways:
– Jackson Holliday’s debut with the Baltimore Orioles was unsuccessful and the player is now back in Triple-A.
– Holliday started his season off with a mere .059 batting average in 34 at-bats for the Orioles.
– Despite a shaky start, General Manager Mike Elias remains positive about Holliday’s future in MLB.
– Orioles’ first-round pick Colton Cowser emerges as the leading candidate for American League’s Rookie of the Year.
Jackson Holliday Struggles During Debut
Nothing went as planned for Baltimore Orioles rookie Jackson Holliday during his debut season. In a surprising turn of events, he’s now back in Triple-A after participating in merely 10 games for the Orioles team. Holliday’s performance marred by a meager .059 batting average in 34 at-bats, is not what many expected.
Touted as a strong contender for the American League’s Rookie of the Year, Jackson Holliday’s poor start has disappointed many, amongst both spectators and Orioles fans. His Rookie of the Year campaign has been dubbed one of Major League Baseball’s “biggest disasters” by Kerry Miller, writing for Bleacher Report.
However, it may be premature to dismiss Holliday’s potential. As Miller aptly puts it, “MLB history is littered with guys who got off to inauspicious early starts to their careers before going on to become stars”.
Holliday’s Quick Rise and Fall
Holliday’s ascent to the majors was notably swift. He played less than two weeks in Triple-A before receiving the call. In retrospect, this fast promotion may have been premature. His .311/.354/.600 slashes, two home runs, and six RBIs, all made in 45 at-bats with the Norfolk Tides affiliate, initially indicated potential that has yet to come to fruition in the majors.
Baltimore Orioles’ General Manager, Mike Elias, addressed this feedback, acknowledging that it was perhaps too much, too soon for Holliday. Elias absolved Holliday of blame, attributing his disappointing debut to the team’s hurried decision to promote him.
Elias’s Outlook on Holliday’s Future
Elias remains optimistic about the 20-year-old’s future. Holliday, according to him, can benefit from his short but intense major league experience and proceed to make the necessary adjustments in Triple-A. Expressing faith in Holliday’s talent and intellect, Elias commented, “He’s a brilliant talent and a very sharp kid. I expect he’s going to go implement those adjustments very quickly”.
Orioles Still Home to Potential Rookie of the Year
Although Holliday’s rookie season hasn’t gone according to plan, the Orioles still harbor the current favorite for Rookie of the Year. Colton Cowser, a first-round pick, is leading the race according to betting odds on BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
Cowser, having hit .277/.351/.929 with six home runs and 18 RBIs, has already made a name for himself. His impressive performance earning him the title of American League Rookie of Month for April. In a recent conversation with MASN, Cowser spoke about the importance of maintaining sharpness and confidence throughout the season.
Despite Holliday’s shaky start, it’s important to note that he holds the 14th best odds for Rookie of the Year. With the game’s unpredictable nature and Holliday’s promising talent, “Never say never” seems to be the prevailing sentiment. As it unfolds, will Holliday manage to redeem his status or will Colton Cowser steal the spotlight?