At the Winter Meetings, Baltimore Orioles general manager Brian Cashman expressed great optimism that their star prospect may reach the Opening Day roster in 2024. At this point, the entire baseball world is aware of the caliber of the Baltimore Orioles’ farm system.
After a lengthy rebuilding process, they have drafted and traded for prospects who are expected to be impact players whenever they reach the MLB.
That confirmation came in the form of Adley Rutschman, who finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2022. Gunnar Henderson earned the honor in 2023, and the team has a slew of young arms and position players that could follow in his footsteps.
The notion of the Orioles having another prospect as promising as their two star players ready to make an impact next year might seem far-fetched. However, all indications strongly suggest that Jackson Holliday, ranked as the top prospect in MLB Pipeline, is poised to make his debut at some stage in 2024.
While the specific timing remains uncertain, Baltimore’s general manager, Mike Elias, has hinted at the possibility of Holliday being included in the Opening Day roster, expressing optimism based on the historic success the young player achieved during his first full season in the minors. Elias emphasized Holliday’s exceptional performance, mentioning his .323/.442/.499 slash line, 12 home runs, 75 RBI, 101 walks, and 24 stolen bases across four affiliates, culminating in reaching Triple-A by the season’s end.
During Spring Training, the standout prospect will have another opportunity to showcase his skills, practicing at shortstop and second base under the observation of manager Brandon Hyde, who has been highly impressed. Hyde drew parallels between Holliday’s swift rise and the early career success of Giancarlo Stanton, emphasizing the incredible statistics Holliday has amassed at a young age.
The decision regarding Holliday’s inclusion in the Opening Day roster hinges on his performance in Spring Training and the organization’s assessment of his readiness. Nevertheless, the anticipation remains high for the debut of this superstar prospect at some point in the 2024 season.
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