Orioles shock MLB world with demotion of Jackson Holliday, other top prospects

The Orioles top prospect will not be part of the Opening Day roster.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday (87)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday (87) | Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

If you were hoping to see Jackson Holliday make his major league debut next week when the Baltimore Orioles host the Los Angeles Angles, there's a bit of bad news to share. It's not happening. On Friday, the Orioles inexplicably reassigned top prospect Jackson Holliday to minor league camp, all but assuring the top prospect won't be part of the team's Opening Day roster.

Holliday, who was a non-roster invitee to spring training this year, had performed admirably and looked like a shoo-in to break camp with the big league club despite the fact that he's still just 20 years old. Holliday hit .311/354/.600 with two home runs, six RBI, and two stolen bases in 15 Grapefruit League games this spring.

Holliday though, it appears, will have to wait until 2025 to experience Opening Day at Camden Yards. But the son of former major league outfielder Matt Holliday wasn't alone. The O's made a series of cuts, all but setting the club's roster with Opening Day less than a week away.

Orioles latest rounds of roster cuts include top prospect Jackson Holliday

In addition to reassigning Holliday to minor league camp, the Orioles sent down catcher David Bañuelos, infielder Coby Mayo, utility man Connor Norby and right-hander Albert Suárez as well. Baltimore also optioned outfielders Heston Kjerstad and Kyle Stowers to the minor leagues.

Holliday's absence is shocking, but Stowers had a terrific spring camp as well. The outfield prospect racked up seven round-trippers this spring and could've easily found his way onto the Orioles Opening Day roster as well.

These latest moves would seem to signal that Kolten Wong, an non-roster invitee who's hit just .185 this spring, has wiggled his way onto Baltimore's Opening Day roster. On the plus side, however, with Kjerstad and Stowers set to open the season in the minor leagues, Colton Cowser seems destined to be part of the Orioles Opening Day roster.

There's a lot to digest following these latest transactions. While O's fans are likely to be disappointed, it's only a matter of time before all these top prospects make their way to the big leagues this season.

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