Orioles general manager Mike Elias justified his choice to send Jackson Holliday down to the minor leagues by highlighting the organization’s successful handling of top prospects transitioning from Triple-A to the majors. He pointed to the accomplishments of Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman, similar to Holliday in talent and ranking, since their debut in 2022, expressing confidence in the Orioles’ ability to nurture such transitions. While Holliday’s journey might diverge from Henderson and Rutschman’s, Elias believes the Orioles’ track record can still benefit him.
Despite Holliday’s recent struggles leading to his demotion, the experiences of Grayson Rodriguez and Colton Cowser, who faced setbacks in their initial major league outings before returning to Triple-A, offer encouragement. Rodriguez and Cowser, having gone through similar challenges, believe Holliday will grow from this experience, supported by their tight-knit team camaraderie.
Cowser, in particular, was impressed by Holliday’s maturity during his stint in the majors, expressing confidence in his teammate’s ability to bounce back. Elias and manager Brandon Hyde echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their belief in Holliday’s potential to make a significant impact in the majors, especially given the Orioles’ history of prospects overcoming early setbacks.
While Elias acknowledged the unpredictability of baseball, he remained optimistic about Holliday’s future, citing examples like Rodriguez and Cowser to illustrate the resilience of Orioles prospects.
Mike Elias admitted difficulty in assessing Jackson Holliday’s progress based on available evidence, expressing responsibility for April’s performance. However, he suggested that like Grayson or Colton Cowser, this challenging period could be a necessary step for growth. Elias believes such experiences can provide valuable insights and clarity for improvement upon returning to the majors.
Manager Brandon Hyde emphasized the importance of consistent playing time for Holliday in Triple-A to implement adjustments suggested by the Orioles’ hitting department. Hyde acknowledged the increasing difficulty of the game, attributing it to factors like social media, analytics, and the velocity of pitches, which can amplify pressure on players.
Having experienced similar struggles, Grayson Rodriguez understands Holliday’s situation well. Despite their differing paths through the minors, Rodriguez empathizes with Holliday’s journey, having faced similar challenges himself. He advises Holliday that struggling is a common part of the process, and success often follows after necessary adjustments.
Rodriguez noted that many star players in the league initially struggle upon their big league debut due to the significant differences in atmosphere, pace, and pressure. He highlighted factors such as the faster game, larger stadiums, brighter lights, and increased media scrutiny, which can contribute to the adjustment period for rookies.
Cowser, previously regarded as one of the top outfield prospects, faced similar challenges when he was promoted in July. His difficulties, particularly against breaking balls, led to a swing adjustment and a change in mindset, resulting in a breakout performance this season. While he hasn’t reached out to Holliday yet, Cowser plans to offer words of encouragement once things settle down.
Reflecting on his own experience, Cowser advises Holliday to embrace the different atmosphere in the minors, emphasizing the importance of understanding and replicating the relaxed mindset upon returning to the majors.
Both Cowser and Rodriguez have encountered similar setbacks, echoing the struggles of other Orioles players like Cedric Mullins, Dean Kremer, and Kyle Bradish. They cite examples from MLB history, including Hall of Famers like Willie Mays and Cal Ripken Jr., who also faced early challenges in their careers.
Rodriguez’s time in Triple-A involved continuous adjustments to his pitching delivery, including addressing issues with tipping pitches. Additionally, he focused on rediscovering his strengths, such as throwing fastballs for strikes, which contributed to his success as one of baseball’s top pitching prospects.
Rodriguez emphasized that the biggest challenge upon reaching the major leagues is learning to relax and have confidence in one’s abilities. He shared his own experience of struggling during his initial stint in the majors but finding success after returning to the minors, where he could relax, figure things out, and return as a much-improved player.
While Henderson hasn’t experienced being optioned, he understands the uncertainty of potentially facing such a situation. Despite his struggles early in his rookie season, Henderson rebounded and went on to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award. He admits it was difficult not to think about the possibility of being demoted during his slump, but once he stopped overthinking and relaxed at the plate, his performance improved significantly.
Henderson is confident that Holliday will follow a similar path once he returns to Baltimore. He praises Holliday’s character and believes it’s only a matter of time before he showcases his abilities in the majors again, despite the challenges he’s currently facing.
