Orioles news: Jackson Holliday's rare feat, Colton Cowser's adjustment, Vance Honeycutt signs

With a busy trade deadline in the books, the Orioles now look ahead at a challenging August schedule as they battle the Yankees for the AL East lead. They've played 11 games in the last 10 days and won't get a day off until Monday. After that, it's back on the road for all of next week as the O's head first to Toronto and then to Tampa for what could be a tough 6-game stretch.

On a positive note, Jackson Holliday came up and redeemed himself by blasting a monster grand slam on Tuesday afternoon. He barely missed a second homer on the day as a fly ball fell about an inch outside the foul pole in left field.

An interesting note about Holliday's salami - just two players have hit their first career home run onto Eutaw Street, those being Holliday on Wednesday and Astros' outfielder Robbie Grossman all the way back in 2013.

Even more interesting about those two home runs is that both the Holliday shot and Grossman's blast both happened on July 31. With any luck, Holliday will park a few more bombs out there before the year lets out.

Colton Cowser makes an intriguing change

As reported by Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner, Orioles' outfielder Colton Cowser has apparently made an equipment change coming out of the All Star break.

Prior to the break, the Milkman had been using a 33.5" bat. He's apparently switched to a longer, 34" model, stating that the longer bat allows him to slow down through the zone and focus on making better contact.

The switch does seem to be working as he's currently on a 14-game hit streak. He certainly wasn't a slouch in the first half but since the break, he's hit .380/.429/.660 with a much improved 23% strikeout rate.

If he's able to keep up this torrid pace through the rest of the year, he'll be a near lock to take home the AL Rookie of the Year award. If he does, he'll be the second Oriole in a row to win, following Gunnar Henderson's award in 2023.

First round pick Vance Honeycutt officially signs

Orioles' first round pick Vance Honeycutt was starting to make fans nervous by being the last remaining unsigned first rounder, but he and the O's were able to come to terms on Thursday afternoon.

Honeycutt earned a $4 million signing bonus, roughly $200k above his slot value. He's been tabbed as one of the most talented players in the draft class but fell in the draft both due to signability concerns and an elevated strikeout rate in college. He's a bit wild at the plate but when he makes contact, it's loud.

Honeycutt is likely a ways off from making his debut in Baltimore but he's instantly become one of the more intriguing prospects in the Orioles' system.