Where were you when you heard the news that the Orioles were set to call up their third #1 overall prospect in as many seasons?
I was sitting on my couch, having just hit PLAY on the latest episode of Hulu’s Shogun (highly recommend, btw).
Had just hit play on the new Shogun ep when my phone went nuts.
Trying again, knowing other AL East teams be like pic.twitter.com/5r2NNcdxg2
— Eutaw Street Report (@EutawStReport) April 10, 2024
It was QUITE the day in Birdland.
First, when Colton Cowser knocked an RBI double to put the O’s on top of the Boston Red Sox in the latter’s home opener, he did what we’ve been waiting for all season: hit the sprinkler. No silly revving. Just watery goodness.
He did it again after his second RBI double. Later on, Ryan O’Hearn singled and turned on the faucet.
Were the waterworks officially back??
The O’s finished off the 7-1 victory over the BoSox, as Corbin Burnes was once again dominant, and got our answer.
Melanie asked about the waterworks.
"We decided it was time to bring that back," says Cowser
— Eutaw Street Report (@EutawStReport) April 9, 2024
Indeed they are! We await our first home run to see if the Homer Hose is also coming back, or if the boys have something else aquatic in store. Either way, the vibes are once again immaculate.
But as it turned out, our day was just getting started.
Unsatisfied with the win, Mike Elias made the call.
BREAKING: The Baltimore Orioles are calling up infielder Jackson Holliday, the No. 1 prospect in baseball, a source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 10, 2024
Happy Hollidays. pic.twitter.com/s5ArQDnzS2
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 10, 2024
Jackson Holliday is joining the Orioles after just 10 games in Norfolk this season. Speculation abounds about what Elias was actually hoping to accomplish here, whether it was truly getting the new second baseman some additional reps at the spot, helping him avoid the slew of left-handed starters the Birds were set to face at the start of the campaign, or what.
All that’s really here nor there now, as the bottom line is that he’s ready and he’s here.
Interestingly enough, the Orioles also announced that Holliday will wear number 7. That number has been unofficially retired around these parts since it was worn by the late Cal Ripken Sr. and then his son Billy, in 1988.
ESR’s own Kevin George suggested a few weeks back that the team offer the number to Holliday, which they have done.
As noted by Kevin, Jackson’s father Matt wore the number during his career, and it’s on the fence in the outfield in their homemade ballpark on their property in Oklahoma. With Cal Ripken Jr. part of the new ownership group, I think it’s safe to say that he gave his blessing for the newest Oriole to un-retire the digit. (Edit: On MLB Network this morning, Billy said Matt reached out to him and Cal about the number. Cal chimed in here:)
Our family is thrilled that @J_Holliday7 will be wearing dad's #7 … Excited to watch him play!
— Cal Ripken, Jr. (@CalRipkenJr) April 10, 2024
The O’s designated Tony Kemp for assignment to make room for Holliday. Save that one for your O’s trivia nights.
Here comes Jackson Holliday!@markdero7 breaks down @MLB's No. 1 prospect, with the infielder reportedly set to join the @Orioles Big League squad.#MLBCentral | @MLBPipeline pic.twitter.com/CvQW45poiE
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 10, 2024
With Holliday in the fold, the Orioles lineup becomes quite intimidating from top to bottom. Against righties, it will look something like this…
Ryan O’Hearn DH
Colton Cowser LF
Jackson Holliday 2B
Holliday will very likely move his way up the order as the season goes on, but for now I think he’ll start ninth. If Mullins and Santander can break out of their early-season slumps, that’s a lineup with just about zero breaks for opposing pitchers. We’ll still likely see a good bit of Ramon Urias and Jorge Mateo against southpaws, and of course James McCann will spell Adley.
Jackson will make his debut tonight in Boston, and his home debut sets up for Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Scheduled to start for the Brew Crew? D.L. Hall.
I suppose it’s possible Brandon Hyde sits Holliday against the lefty Hall, but with tickets to the game selling like crazy with Birdland in a frenzy to see the rookie debut, the bet here is that he gets the nod. Selfishly, I wouldn’t hate to see him absent from the lineup card Friday afternoon, as I have tickets to the Splash Zone for Saturday. For those of you going on Friday, I’m sure you’ll get to see number 7 out there, so enjoy!
Waterworks. Holliday.
Now we go.
