Jackson Holliday training with former Orioles stars in search of 2025 breakout

Jackson Holliday was one of the most touted prospects in recent history, but he needed to move from his natural position of shortstop to second base thanks to superstar Gunnar Henderson's presence in Baltimore. Holliday is coming off a less than stellar rookie campaign in which he struggled to adjust after flourishing in the minor leagues.

In an attempt to keep adjusting and settle in at the keystone, Holliday has enlisted the help of two former Orioles stars. Former Orioles shortstop JJ Hardy and second baseman Brian Roberts are part of a crew of guest coaches working with the infield at this year's spring training. Having those two spend plenty of time around Holliday this spring will offer the youngster the ability to learn and refine his game ahead of the regular season.

Continuing to acclimate to second base will be the key for Holliday to make the jump that he wants and that is expected for his future in Baltimore. Holliday spoke about his time working with Hardy and Roberts, telling reporters "It's getting a lot more comfortable, I would say I'm still learning. Like yesterday, picking up tips from guys that played in the big leagues forever. I'm getting a whole lot more comfortable over there, and I'm just excited to keep playing games."

As Holliday continues to get more reps at second base his confidence should improve, which will in turn allow him to play well and be himself on the baseball field. Holliday hit .189 in the big leagues last season and while that can be a cause for concern, he did show improvements when he was called back up to the majors in the back half of the season. Holliday has not only been working on his defensive skills with Roberts and Hardy but his offense as well.

Second baseman Jackson Holliday is getting advice from two former fan-favorite Orioles at spring training

Roberts was one of the leagues best base-stealers during his prime, swiping 50 bags in 2007. With the new rules regarding pickoffs and larger base sizes that were instituted last season, base-stealers are more motivated to run. “Same with Jackson. He doesn’t have to listen to me…What do I have to tell him necessarily?" Roberts said, "But, he’ll sit in the video room, and we break down film on pitchers and how to get better at stealing bases, and he’ll just sit there and soak up every bit of it."

Roberts went on MLB Network's Hot Stove and spoke about Holliday's ability to make the necessary adjustments at second base. Roberts mentions that Holliday is working on his footwork at second base, stating that Holliday is learning to get his body squared to make the play from second instead of shortstop. It's the same transition Roberts had to make after he moved from shortstop to second base at the beginning of his 14-year major league career.

Holliday swiped 24 bags in his 2023 season, spanning 4 leagues in the minors. In 2024 he stole 12 bases including 4 at the major league level. This could become a factor for him in the coming season, and why he is working with Roberts to understand when and how to steal a base.

Hardy spoke about Holliday's improvement, “I think last year when I saw him, it was like he hadn’t played much at second base at all, and now he’s looking a lot more comfortable. Example today, talking about a little pointer on something. B-Rob gave him something on double play feeds and one ground ball later, it looked amazing. Golly, to be able to do it like that, that quick is awesome, pretty special.”

Impressing Hardy and Roberts are the first steps to Jackson Holliday having a breakout season as the Orioles' second baseman. Holliday is soaking up all the knowledge that the pair are offering him to make his shift to second base easier following the struggle of his first season. Holliday is primed to make a statement in 2025 as the Orioles embark on the journey back to October.