The Baltimore Orioles have made the decision to option highly touted prospect Jackson Holliday to the minor leagues after a lackluster start to his major league career. Holliday, a 20-year-old second baseman, was promoted from Triple-A Norfolk on April 10 but struggled to find success at the plate during his time with the Orioles.
Despite the initial excitement surrounding his call-up, Holliday managed only two hits and two walks in 36 plate appearances over 10 games. He struck out 18 times and was batting a mere .059 with one RBI and a .111 on-base percentage.
General manager Mike Elias explained that the team had hoped to see how Holliday would perform in the majors on a short-term basis but ultimately decided that he would benefit from returning to Norfolk to make adjustments.
During his time in Norfolk earlier this season, Holliday had shown promise, batting .333 with five doubles, two homers, and nine RBIs in 10 games. However, his success in the minors did not carry over to the major league level.
Elias emphasized that the Orioles are currently in a competitive position in the American League East and cannot afford to prioritize player development over immediate success.
As a result of Holliday's demotion, veteran infielders Ramón Urías and Jorge Mateo are expected to see increased playing time. Manager Brandon Hyde expressed confidence in Holliday's abilities and stressed the importance of allowing him to focus on his game in a less pressured environment.
Despite the setback, Elias remains optimistic about Holliday's future and views this experience as a valuable learning opportunity for the young prospect.
In a corresponding move, the Orioles selected the contract of outfielder Ryan McKenna from Norfolk and designated catcher David Bañuelos for assignment.
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