Orioles Young Star Reaches Rare Franchise Milestone
One of the Baltimore Orioles’ brightest young talents has etched his name into the team’s history books.
When the Orioles selected Jackson Holliday with the first overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, expectations were immediately sky-high. The middle infielder from Stillwater High School (OK) — and son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday — quickly rose through the ranks and was soon regarded as the top prospect in baseball.
Despite limited experience in the minors, Holliday made his MLB debut on April 10, 2024, against the Boston Red Sox. However, the leap proved premature. He struggled significantly at the plate, posting a .059/.111/.059 slash line before being sent back to Triple-A Norfolk less than two weeks later. Upon returning, his performance improved, but he still didn’t fully live up to the hype.
Now in his first full MLB season in 2025, the 21-year-old is starting to find his rhythm — and he’s beginning to show why he was considered a generational talent.
Holliday Joins Elite Company with 20 Doubles
Holliday’s steady progress was marked by a notable achievement during Monday’s 4–3 win over the San Diego Padres. With a two-base hit in the game, he reached the 20-double mark for the season — a milestone that places him among an exclusive group of Orioles players.
As reported by Jake Rill of MLB.com, Holliday is just the sixth player in Orioles history to hit 20 or more doubles in a season before turning 22.
Others on the list include franchise legends:
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Manny Machado (51 doubles in 2013 at age 20)
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Boog Powell (1963)
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Curt Blefary (1965)
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Eddie Murray (1977)
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Cal Ripken Jr. (1982)
That’s elite company — with multiple Hall of Famers — and a strong indicator of Holliday’s potential.
Signs of Growth in 2025
Through 129 games and 561 plate appearances this season, Holliday is slashing .245/.312/.384 with 15 home runs, 20 doubles, three triples, 51 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. While not yet dominant, his development has been clear, and he’s showing the ability to contribute consistently as the Orioles’ everyday second baseman.
While the 2025 season has brought challenges for the team overall, Holliday’s emergence is a major bright spot. As he continues to grow and adapt to the major league level, Baltimore has every reason to feel optimistic about the future of their former No. 1 pick.
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