Although he largely struggled during his highly anticipated rookie season in 2024, Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday is looking on the bright side as he prepares for his first full year in the Majors.
“I mean, obviously, last year didn’t go the way that I wanted or the team wanted, but definitely learning from failure is part of the game,” Holliday said Monday on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. “Taking that away is a great experience and something I’ll definitely use going into this year. But I’m building off the positives and I think I showed some good signs of what I can do and I’m really excited for this year.”
Holliday made his big league debut on April 10 last season, less than two years after being selected first overall in the 2022 MLB Draft. However, he proceeded to go 2-for-34 with 18 strikeouts in his first 10 games and was promptly sent back to the Minors. While Holliday had more success upon returning to MLB in late July, his .650 OPS over 50 games after rejoining the O’s left a lot to be desired.
All told, Holliday hit .189 with five homers, 69 strikeouts and a .566 OPS in 208 plate appearances for Baltimore. But the team’s confidence in the 21-year-old hasn’t wavered.
Holliday came to camp this year as the Orioles’ probable starter at second base -- a stark contrast from 2024, when he was vying for a roster spot and still trying to get used to playing the keystone as a natural shortstop.
One year later, Holliday looks much more polished at his new position. He’s also off to a hot start at the plate, going 4-for-12 (.333) with a homer, a walk, two steals and three K’s through his first five spring games.
“Every Spring Training that I’ve had has been a little different,” Holliday said. “My first one, just excited to be here. Last year, obviously, trying to make the team. But this year has been a lot of fun, getting to have that experience in the big leagues and coming into a little different of an atmosphere.
“[I’m] a lot more comfortable than last year,” he added. “Kind of having a full season of playing second base almost every day and kind of knowing how the game plays up at the big league level. I’ve been able to take that into practice. [I feel] a whole lot more comfortable than I did last year, for sure.”
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