Orioles option Holliday after 2-for-34 start to career

The Baltimore Orioles optioned second baseman Jackson Holliday, MLB's top prospect, to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday after a difficult start to his big-league career.

Holliday went just 2-for-34 with 18 strikeouts, two walks, and one RBI over 10 games with the Orioles. He endured an 0-for-13 stretch to begin his career before his first big-league hit April 14, then went into an 0-for-17 funk that finally ended with a fifth-inning single Tuesday.

The 20-year-old rocketed through the Orioles' farm system after being selected first overall in 2022, posting a cumulative .323/.442/.499 slash line across four minor-league levels last year as a teenager. He then turned more heads this spring with a stellar Grapefruit League performance that prompted some calls for him to be the Orioles' Opening Day second baseman.

Holliday instead started his 2024 season in Norfolk, where he hit .333/.482/.595 with two homers and nine RBIs, as well as more walks (12) than strikeouts (eight) in 10 games before getting called up to Baltimore.

While he tries to rediscover his stroke with the Tides, the Orioles will likely turn to a combination of Jordan Westburg and Ramón Urías at second base. Westburg has solidified himself at third base over the last few weeks, but the Orioles' infield defense could be improved by shifting him back to the keystone and using the former Gold Glover Urías at third.

Baltimore selected outfielder Ryan McKenna from Norfolk in a corresponding roster move. To clear space for McKenna on the 40-man roster, catcher David Bañuelos was designated for assignment.

Despite Holliday's struggles, the 16-8 Orioles sit in a virtual tie with the New York Yankees atop the AL East and enter play Friday having won eight of their last 10 games.