Can the Orioles Rising Star Elevate Their Offense to New Heights in 2025?
It comes as no surprise that if the Orioles aspire to make a deep playoff run in 2025, after two straight early playoff exits, the team’s offense will have to be the catalyst for their success. The pitching rotation still has questions to be answered, especially after an offseason without a major acquisition similar to the Corbin Burnes trade last year. In the second half of 2024, the Orioles went through a major slump, during which several star players, including catcher Adley Rutschman, endured long-term struggles. This resulted in the team limping into the playoffs, with the writing on the wall. So, entering a new season, what will it take for Baltimore to avoid a similar offensive collapse? The answer could lie with their former 2022 first-overall draft pick, Jackson Holliday.
Last season, Holliday was the talk of the town in Baltimore, as the 21-year-old finally got his opportunity to showcase his gifted talents on the major league stage. After performing exceptionally well in the minor leagues from 2022 to 2024, where he quickly advanced through the Orioles' system and recorded a .304 batting average, 23 home runs, 122 RBIs, and 36 stolen bases, the Austin, Texas native got the call to make his MLB debut. In his first stint in the big leagues, Holliday faced his first major struggles since being drafted. He struggled significantly, batting just .059 and going two-for-34 in 10 games.
As a result, he was sent back to Triple-A Norfolk to work out some mechanical issues and regain his confidence. After being recalled later in the season in late July, Holliday started to look more like himself, both at the plate and on the field at second base. He hit his first career MLB homer in his first game back, a one-out grand slam onto Eutaw Street against the Toronto Blue Jays. In 60 games last season, while still not impressive, Holliday’s stats improved from his early-season struggles, finishing with a .189 batting average, five home runs, 23 RBIs, and 15 walks.
Heading into 2025, the Orioles and manager Brandon Hyde are hoping that a full offseason of working out, including adding a fresh 12 pounds of muscle and achieving a rejuvenated mental state, will lead to a breakout year for the young phenom. If Holliday is able to rebound from his tough rookie season, it will not only provide an excellent morale boost but also significantly help an Orioles lineup that was searching for answers down the stretch last season. While the team did have a top-10 offense in 2024, ranking second in home runs, fourth in runs scored, and seventh in batting average, the Orioles' inconsistencies in manufacturing runs through stolen bases and bunting plagued the team's success. They finished with fewer than 100 stolen bases and only six sacrifice bunts.
Due to this, Hyde expressed entering Spring Training that he would like to see the team bunt and steal more bases this season. This is where Holliday has the opportunity to help elevate Baltimore’s offense, with hopes of competing for their second AL East Division title in the last three seasons. Holliday’s demonstrated stolen base abilities, combined with his improved muscle strength, which could lead to more offensive pop, will make him another dangerous component in an already stacked lineup that includes Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser, Ryan Mountcastle, Adley Rutschman, and others. Ultimately, the ceiling remains high for the former top prospect as Holliday looks to contribute significantly to the Orioles' offensive success in 2025.
