When Jackson Holliday made his major league debut earlier this season, things didn’t go as planned. He faced challenges on defense and struggled at the plate, leading the Baltimore Orioles to send him back to Triple-A Norfolk.
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Since being recalled on July 31, Holliday has been on fire, smashing baseballs left and right.
At just 20 years old, he hit his fifth homer in just 10 games during the second inning on Saturday, setting a record as the only player in Orioles history to achieve this feat before turning 21. This homer was notable as it marked his first left-on-left smash, leaving Tyler Alexander’s sinker traveling an impressive 408 feet, according to Statcast.
He also became the youngest player with four homers in a six-game stretch since Vladimir Guerrero Jr. did it in 2019.
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Four of his five home runs have surpassed 400 feet in distance.
“I’m not trying to hit homers,” Holliday said with a grin. “I’m focused on hitting the ball hard. The homers just happen to be piling up!”
Holliday’s recent performance makes his slow start feel like a distant memory. Gone are the days of batting 2-for-34 with 18 strikeouts in his first 10 games.
Manager Brandon Hyde commented, “He has a nice swing and a lot of confidence. When he feels good up here, he really capitalizes on fastballs.” Hyde added that confidence is key to his success.
So, what has spurred Holliday’s transformation? Co-hitting coach Ryan Fuller shared insights with Rich Kubatko from MASN Sports about Holliday’s growth.
“Experience teaches wisdom,” Fuller explained. “You can tell Triple-A players that facing major league pitchers is different, but they have to see it for themselves. Jackson returned with a plan and made key adjustments.” He noted that Holliday’s swing mechanics have become “more adjustable,” giving him extra time to make decisions at the plate.
Despite batting in the No. 8 slot in the lineup, Holliday is making a significant impact.
“I love hitting home runs, and it’s awesome, but that’s not my main goal,” he told Steve Melewski of MASN. “I’m aiming for line drives and hitting the ball well, and I’m thrilled that they’re clearing the fence!”
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