Jackson Holliday is called up to MLB by Orioles in emotional conversation

The Baltimore Orioles released video Wednesday of the moment top prospect Jackson Holliday learned he was called up to the big leagues.

In the video, Holliday speaks to Norfolk Tides manager Buck Britton, who is out of frame. After initially trying to upset Holliday, Britton told Holliday to call his father and tell him he was being drafted to the O's:

The 20-year-old Holliday, the son of seven-time MLB All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday, was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and is considered the No. 1 prospect in baseball, according to MLB. com.

Although Holliday was only 19 years old at the time, he was an instant superstar in his first full minor league season last year.

He played at four different minor league levels and hit .323 with 12 home runs, 75 RBI, 113 runs scored and 24 stolen bases in 125 games.

Because of that performance, Holliday had a legitimate chance at spring training to make the Orioles' Opening Day roster. He didn't look out of place at all in the spring, posting a .297 batting average with one home run, five RBI and two steals.

Despite this, the Orioles decided to send Holliday down so he could gain more experience at the Triple-A level.

It quickly became clear that Holliday had already outgrown Triple-A, as he hit .333 with two home runs, nine RBI and one stolen base in ten games.

Holliday plays both second base and shortstop, and to make room for him on the major league roster, the Orioles designated veteran utility man Tony Kemp for assignment.

Holliday's call-up likely means Baltimore intends to use him regularly, and that could require some lineup shuffling.

Jordan Westburg and Gunnar Henderson have been the Orioles' primary centerfielders this season. However, both are also capable of playing third base, and it's likely that one of them will be moved to hot corner full-time in place of Ramón Urias, who is batting just .091 this season.

Last season, the Orioles had the best record in the American League at 101-61 and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

They entered 2024 as top contenders to reach the World Series and, despite an uneven 6-4 start, still have the potential to be an elite team.

If Holliday takes off in the big leagues, an already talented Orioles team will become even more dangerous.