As the regular season creeps closer, the Orioles are getting Jackson Holliday more reps at shortstop.
Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson is still working his way back from an intercostal strain suffered in late February. Holliday has started six games at shortstop this spring with Henderson’s Opening Day status up in the air.
A shortstop by trade, Holliday played second base in 2024 with Henderson at short. Now, the 21-year-old is preparing to play his natural position just in case.
“I did it in the minor leagues, but to do it in the major leagues is completely different, but I’m all for it,” Holliday said. “I’m excited to be able to play there. Playing in the big leagues and playing shortstop is a dream. To be able to do it twice last year was unbelievable. It’s fun. Hopefully Gunnar can get healthy, for sure.”
Luis Vazquez and Livan Soto have also gotten opportunities to start at short. Vazquez, 25, appeared briefly for the Chicago Cubs in 2024. Soto, 24, has played sparingly for three teams across the past three years, most recently with the Orioles a year ago.
One figures to have a good chance to make the Opening Day roster if Henderson can’t answer the bell. Vazquez is hitting .324/.391/.405 with three doubles in 18 games this spring. Soto is hitting .385/.455/.487 with four doubles in 17 games.
“They’re both getting a lot of playing time because Gunnar’s been out and taking advantage of it,” Hyde said. “They’re opening a lot of eyes. I like the way they both play defense, and they both take good at-bats.”
However, Holliday would likely be the Orioles’ primary option at shortstop, with Jordan Westburg at second base and Ramón Urías at third base. Holliday’s story is well-documented at this point. The 6-foot, 185-pound infielder was the top overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and rose rapidly through the minor leagues before struggling in the majors in 2024.
Holliday hit .189/.255/.311 with 11 extra-base hits in 208 big league plate appearances in 2024. This spring, he has focused on using the entire field rather than selling out for over-the-fence power. He is hitting .326/.383/.465 with three extra-base hits in 14 games this spring.
“I think when I’m going best, that’s the case — hitting the ball all over the field, hitting fastballs the other way, pulling the off-speed if needed,” Holliday said. “I’m very happy with what I’ve been rolling with lately — hitting the ball all over the field, creating havoc. That’s just my game. I’ve enjoyed the progress that I’ve made and the outcomes lately.”
Hyde likes the progress Holliday has made in camp, saying he is more comfortable on both sides of the ball. The Orioles have plenty of power bats in their lineup, including Henderson, Colton Cowser, Ryan Mountcastle, Tyler O’Neill and Heston Kjerstad. The Orioles simply need Holliday to be himself, regardless of the position he plays to start the season.
“His game right now is going to be a game where there’s excitement and there’s going to be balls in play — hard line drives, ground balls — play really good defense like he can, be able to manufacture, to be able to steal bases when there are opportunities, drag bunts,” Hyde said. “All those types of things from a team offense standpoint is something that Jackson’s really improved on but overall, too, I think we’re getting better as a club in those areas.”
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