Jackson Holliday’s spring training grand slam was even more impressive than you thought

One of the biggest things to pay attention to during spring training for the Orioles is Jackson Holliday's progression as he looks to break camp on the active roster. He certainly has a real chance to do so, as his already high stock has gotten considerably higher in the last year.

During Sunday's split squad game in Dunedin against the Toronto Blue Jays, Holliday's power was on full display as he took a Yusei Kikuchi offering and deposited it over the right-center field bullpen, giving the Orioles a 5-0 lead in a game they would go on to win 11-6 over Toronto.

Jackson Holliday turns heads again with mammoth spring training grand slam

This grand slam by Holliday is super impressive for multiple reasons. First, it was an 0-2 count on a 95 mph fastball that was elevated. Second, he took Kikuchi deep, a pitcher who had a 3.86 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 32 starts in the majors last season, while Holliday is just 20 years old. If that wasn't enough for you, Holliday did this in a lefty-lefty matchup and didn't leave any doubt about it.

After a 2023 season that saw Holliday start the year with Low-A Delmarva and end the year with Triple-A Norfolk, he's not slowing down with the major leagues on the doorstep this spring. He's slugging .607 and has a .917 OPS so far this spring, hitting two doubles and two triples on top of his hefty grand slam.

Holliday is also doing this while playing a brand new position. All nine games Holliday has played this spring have come at second base, a position he had played only sparingly in his career. If he gets everyday reps at second in the majors, a double play combo of him and Gunnar Henderson should have Orioles fans salivating.

It feels safe to say that Holliday will start the season in the major leagues, taking the Camden Yards field on March 28 against the Los Angeles Angels. Buckle up, Orioles fans. The future is now.