The Baltimore Orioles called up top prospect Jackson Holliday to massive fanfare on April 10, allowing the heralded infielder to prove himself in the majors weeks after many felt he earned it. Just two weeks later, Holliday was sent down.
In his MLB debut, Holliday collected the first RBI of his career and recorded 2 runs scored to open his major-league career. However, with Baltimore fighting for positioning near the top of the MLB standings, Holliday was sent down after striking out in half of his 36 plate appearances.
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While the 10-game sample size isn’t a reflection on what Holliday will do in the rest of his career nor does it mean Baltimore made a mistake promoting him, it highlighted the gap in talent between the levels. Not only that, those closest to the game believe the talent separation between the majors and the Triple-A level is wider than it’s been in some time.
Scouts and executives who spoke to Bob Nightengale of USA Today said that the difference in talent and approach between MLB and Triple-A is ‘the largest they can remember.’ It also ties into what Orioles general manager Mike Elias said when Holliday was demoted.
“This game up here, people attack your weaknesses, until you stop showing them to be weaknesses.”
Baltimore Orioles GM Mike Elias on the difference between Triple-A and MLB for players
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Baltimore might’ve even given Holliday a few extra days to make adjustments with the hope it would work, avoiding the potential confidence drain that can happen with a demotion. However, MLB clubs can only afford to wait for so long and Holliday’s at-bats didn’t get better.
Entering MLB games today, Holliday has 1 hit in first 9 plate appearances back down at the Triple-A level, but it comes with an even 1-1 K-BB ratio. He should likely find success immediately, recapturing the form that led to him having a 20 percent walk rate in the minors to open the season. However, the real test will only come when he is back in the Orioles lineup.
Just as important, the evaluation from scouts and executives on the widening talent gap between MLB and the Triple-A level suggests other top prospects promoted in the weeks to come might also struggle more than usual.
