The Orioles, who are in a far different position than they were in June 2019 and who made what is likely the most significant selection in their Draft history three years ago, are hoping that they made a similarly franchise-altering choice on Sunday night.
With the first overall choice in the 2022 Draft, Baltimore selected shortstop Jackson Holliday from Stillwater (Oklahoma) High School, adding what they see as a "future star" to a team that has recently been characterized by an inflow of youthful talent. The third first overall choice in O's history, behind Adley Rutschman (2019) and Ben McDonald (1989), came from a very different background for Holliday, the son of former MLB player Matt.
"In addition to wanting to respect the Orioles for choosing me, Holliday added, "I want to be the best player. I'm going to put forth my all-out effort to go to the Major Leagues and have a successful career for them and their supporters. I'm really happy. I also always compete."
Holliday, who is regarded as one of the best all-around players of the crop and is ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 2 Draft prospect, is the first high school position player the Orioles have selected with their first pick since Manny Machado went third overall in 2010 and the first when pitchers are included since Grayson Rodriguez, who is currently the top pitching prospect in baseball, was selected in 2018. Before Mike Elias was appointed as executive vice president and general manager, both were chosen.
For the Orioles organization, it's a monumental choice and moment, according to Mike Elias. " … I am quite pleased and proud of the outcome that we achieved today.
The potential for him is huge, said Elias. "I mean, it's a shortstop who has the makings of a great who bats in the middle of the order and plays for a very long period. I don't think the ceiling goes much higher than someone with that profile, in some ways.
The call 📞 pic.twitter.com/WSdhgdzrAk
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 17, 2022
Holliday was born into the game; his father, a 15-year MLB veteran with the Rockies, A's, Cardinals, and Yankees, was a seven-time All-Star slugger. However, Jackson's grandpa, Tom, coached Oklahoma State baseball for 26 years, continuing the family connection to the game. The Cowboys, for whom Jackson has pledged to play if he decides against becoming pro—which is highly expected—now have Josh as their head coach.
Jackson grinned, "He was quite eager tonight.
The first person to learn that Jackson would be chosen first overall was Matt, who received a call from his agent Scott Boras and then struggled to keep quiet on the couch at his Stillwater house. Jackson learned about it as Los Angeles commissioner Rob Manfred made the news on stage.
Jackson chuckled as he described his father's behavior as "sort of flipping out." " … It's difficult to articulate what it implies. Actually, it reminds me of a video game. You always get the first choice in video games. That's roughly how it felt, and it's an experience I'll never forget. A genuine honor, that is.
For the 3rd time in franchise history the @Orioles Pick #1 overall and select @J_Holliday7 …welcome to #Birdland and welcome to the 1-1 Club kid! 👊 #LetsGeauxOs pic.twitter.com/RAv1xF4mly
— Ben McDonald (@realbenmcdonald) July 17, 2022
One more Holliday is on the horizon. One of the finest prep players in the country for the Class of 2025 is Jackson's younger brother, Ethan. The two played on the same team for the first time last season, with Ethan playing third base and batting third for Stillwater and Jackson hitting third. In one game, they even hit back-to-back home runs.
The first sons of major league players to be selected first and second overall in a single Draft are outfielder Drew Jones, who is also a prospect and is on the O's big board. Andruw Jones is a former Braves standout. Elijah Green, the son of former Ravens tight end Eric Green, was another outfield talent that Baltimore was examining.
Holliday is the only son of a major leaguer to have been selected first overall, joining Ken Girffey Jr.
Jackson recalled Matt snagging balls at Camden Yards while his father played for the Yankees and said of Matt, "As a youngster, he never made it evident of how excellent or how horrible his game was." "How effectively he handles failure is something I've learned from him.
Holliday said, "I've seen what it takes to get to the Major Leagues and how hard guys work to keep it even when they're at the peak of their game.
The Orioles think they have selected a guy with five new tools in Jackson, who has been redesigned and retooled.
Holliday had an outstanding senior year of high school, upping his already great batting average to.685/.749/1.392 and breaking the previous record of 88 hits held by J.T. Realmuto, the catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. He takes satisfaction in his ability to excel in all areas, having received two Rawlings High School Gold Glove Awards.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound shortstop was recognized as Baseball America's National High School Player of the Year as well as Oklahoma's Gatorade High School Player of the Year. His arm is solid-to-plus, and MLB Pipeline rates his speed as good. He has strong power from the left side of the plate and a sophisticated boxing style.
Holliday wasn't expected to be as high a pick as he ended up being in the Draft as recently as summer 2021, but his performance this past season propelled him up the draught boards. However, when tools improved, the Orioles paid attention.
Elias added, "We certainly poured in there very strongly from that point onward. It was like there was a fire alarm in the scouting profession.
Long-term, Holliday envisions himself as a shortstop. Even with fellow top prospects Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg in their system, the Orioles do as well. They are convinced that Holliday's speed will benefit him in his position and that talent enhances talent.
In the same year that Carlos Correa made his debut, Alex Bregman was signed by Houston, according to Elias. "We never fretted over it."
The Orioles entering the All-Star break with a.500 record and a spot in the AL Wild Card within striking distance is perhaps what makes Holliday's selection the most noteworthy. Elias termed this "a huge mile marker." With Rutschman about to be joined in the Majors by additional players from their highly regarded farm system, the 2022 O's are starting to show signs of turning the corner.
Holliday is only another reason for the enthusiasm that is growing in Baltimore, along with the other three choices on Day 1 of the Draft.
This Orioles organization is in better shape than it has been in a very long time, according to Elias. And 20 minutes ago, it started to get much healthier.
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