Meet Jackson Holliday's 133 OPS+ second base replacement for Orioles originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Thus far, Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday hasn't played a game in the Majors in 2026.
Holliday broke his hamate bone during offseason training and left Wednesday's Triple-A rehab assignment game early due to right-hand discomfort following an awkward swing.
While the 22-year-old is out, a former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels is taking advantage of the opportunity.
Last October, the Orioles signed Jeremiah Jackson to a minor league contract.
"Seven years after he [Jackson] was taken in the second round of the 2018 draft, he finally made his MLB debut last August, backfilling an Orioles roster that had been gutted at the trade deadline," Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter wrote Friday. "He went on to post a 116 OPS+ with 17 extra-base hits in 48 games, and looked to be headed for a utility role in 2026."
In just 23 games, Jackson has already matched last season's home run total and owns a 133 OPS+ in 82 trips to the plate, indicating he's performed 33 percent better than the league average hitter.
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"However, an injury to Jackson Holliday has opened the door for him to see regular playing time at second base, and he has seized the opportunity, going from prospect bust to one of Baltimore's primary run producers," Reuter added.
It will be interesting to see how the Orioles handle Jackson's playing time when Holliday returns to the lineup. For now, he remains a key everyday contributor.
And surely, the Orioles hope his breakout year continues.
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