Jackson Holliday records first career RBI in MLB debut

BOSTON — An AL East rivalry matchup, an lively crowd of 27,936 stuffed into Fenway Park, a hard-fought baseball recreation and an Orioles win.

Jackson Holliday couldn’t be rather more happy along with his first style of MLB motion.

“It’s all I may have imagined. Enjoying within the massive leagues, a stadium filled with followers and two actually good groups, I can’t ask for extra,” Holliday stated. “Apart from perhaps, like, 4 hits. However that’s rather a lot to ask for. It was an superior expertise.”

MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 total prospect went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts, so it wasn’t the very best massive league debut from a statistical standpoint. However Holliday contributed an RBI and loved being a part of Baltimore’s 7-5 comeback victory over Boston, a recreation the O’s as soon as trailed, 5-0.

Holliday’s groundout to second base within the sixth introduced dwelling Colton Cowser from third, a part of a three-run rally that reduce the Purple Sox’s result in 5-3. The Orioles then struck for 4 runs within the seventh, going forward for good on Jordan Westburg’s three-run homer that landed on prime of the Inexperienced Monster.

Holliday (20 years and 128 days previous) turned the fourth-youngest participant in franchise historical past to report an RBI in his MLB debut, behind solely Brooks Robinson (18 years, 122 days on Sept. 17, 1955), Andy Etchebarren (19 years, 98 days on Sept. 26, 1962) and Ron Hansen (20 years, 10 days on April 15, 1958).

“To have the ability to go on the market and win and have an RBI — I imply, it’s fairly superior simply to be right here,” stated Holliday, the No. 1 total choose within the 2022 MLB Draft.

It was a day the Stillwater (Okla.) Excessive Faculty graduate had dreamt of his total life, loads of which has been spent at massive league ballparks because of his dad, former All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday. A lot of the household was in attendance for Jackson’s debut, seated within the entrance row subsequent to the Orioles’ third-base dugout.

There wasn’t one particular second that stood out to Holliday from the evening. It was all of them.

“Simply attending to compete in opposition to these guys that I’ve watched on TV for thus lengthy, guys like [Boston third baseman Rafael] Devers, it’s actually cool,” Holliday stated. “I’m standing on the market, wanting round, the Monster, and all of the folks, they’re singing the songs. It was a extremely cool expertise.”

Whereas enjoying largely second base throughout Spring Coaching, Holliday usually felt he wasn’t getting sufficient defensive motion in video games. In his MLB debut, it took little time for him to get entangled.

Through the second inning, Holliday easily fielded a grounder hit off the bat of Boston’s Masataka Yoshida, then tossed it to shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who accomplished a 4-6-3 double play. MLB Pipeline’s present No. 1 total prospect and a former No. 1 prospect mixed for a pleasant play up the center.

Get used to seeing that, Orioles followers.

Earlier than the sport, Holliday stated he thought he’d be extra excited than nervous. Afterward, he expressed the identical sentiment.

“I wasn’t very nervous,” Holliday stated. “Clearly, my outcomes weren’t what I appreciated. However I wasn’t nervous. I felt comfy on protection. I felt comfy on the plate.”

His new teammates agreed.

“He appeared like he was the identical individual that I noticed in Spring Coaching,” Westburg stated. “To me, it appeared prefer it didn’t faze him. And I believe that simply speaks to his maturity, his confidence in his entire recreation.”

Added left-hander Cole Irvin: “I’m excited for him. I’m glad he’s right here, and he’s going to be good for us.”

Holliday is within the Majors now as a result of the Orioles felt he was prepared. It might solely be a matter of time earlier than his bat will get going, as he batted .333 (14-for-42) over 10 video games at Triple-A Norfolk to open the season and raked in any respect 4 full-season Minor League associates final 12 months.

Maybe Holliday will notch his first MLB hit Thursday within the sequence finale at Fenway Park. There isn’t fairly as a lot strain on a participant for his second massive league recreation as his debut. He additionally gained’t be enjoying an evening recreation after waking up at 4:30 a.m. ET to catch a flight from Richmond, Va., to Boston.

No excuses, although. Holliday is able to regroup, get well and return for his second recreation and the numerous extra to observe.

“I’m right here. I couldn’t be happier to be right here,” Holliday stated. “It doesn’t matter how a lot sleep I bought, I used to be going to go on the market and compete to the very best of my talents. Excited to get a full evening’s relaxation tonight and get again on the market tomorrow.”