"Break 50 coming soon" - Jackson Holliday strikes a pose with Oklahoma State Big 12 champ Aidan Meola at alma mater
The offseason started early for rookie Jackson Holliday after the Baltimore Orioles' elimination from the postseason at the hands of the Kansas City Royals despite a superior record during the regular season. In his off time, Holliday was spotted at a golf course, catching up with an old friend and senior Oklahoma State college baseball player, Aidan Meola.
Holliday, who was picked first overall in the 2022 MLB draft, made his highly anticipated debut early this year. However, 10 games in, he experienced what it's like to play at the highest level, as he went 2 for 34, prompting the front office to option him back to minors. He was recalled in July after impressing in the minor league and was much better in his second stint despite finishing the season batting .189.
On Wednesday, Holliday shared a story posted by Aidan Meola, who is a senior playing for Oklahoma State, where the Orioles rookie committed to play college baseball. They seemingly caught up with each other on a golf course with baseball offseason going on.
"Break 50 coming soon," Holliday wrote.
Aidan Meola won the Big 12 championship last season with the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
MLB Insider shuts down growing rumors of Jackson Holliday trade
The Orioles made the postseason for a second straight year, though it met a disappointing end. Some of their top players, like Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander, could leave in free agency, leaving them in a hole to contend in 2025 as they did this season.
One way for them to get back in contention would be through free agency and the trade market. The former looks less possible since their front office isn't known to splurge big on free agents. In that case, with them having one of the best farm systems in the league, trading their best prospects to get valuable assets isn't that farsighted.
Amid rumors suggesting it's in the best interest of the Orioles to part ways with Jackson Holliday, who struggled in his rookie year, Keith Law supported for the Orioles to not trade Holliday.
“You’re not the first person to suggest this possibility. Holliday, he’s still 20. If he doesn’t play in the majors this year if he just came up in September and struggled a little bit in 20 games, no one is suggesting this,” Law said.
“Unless the Orioles think they’ve seen something that’s a real concern, I don’t believe they’d even consider trading him. I have a feeling almost anybody else would be available in the right deal. That could be Coby Mayo, that could be Samuel Basallo.”
Whatever happens from here remains to be seen. A trade seems less likely, but the Orioles would like to strengthen in the offseason to remain in playoff contention next year. What do you think is the best route for them?