"Completely different from the player who got off to a horrible start" - MLB insider breaks down Jackson Holliday's hot-hitting streak

Jackson Holliday is the living embodiment of rising from the ashes like a phoenix. The Baltimore Orioles prospect entered the 2024 campaign with sky-high expectations. While it may have been unfair for fans and analysts to expect Holliday to come out of the gates swinging, no one could have seen his dreadful start coming.

During his first stint in the MLB this season, Holliday looked overmatched and completely unqualified to be batting at the major league level. Over 10 games, the prized rookie mustered only a dismal .059 batting average with two hits in 34 at-bats. This gave the Orioles no option but to send him to the minors to work on his game.

This decision has paid massive dividends for everyone involved, as Holliday looks like a new man during his second stint. The talented infielder has not only been serviceable but downright scorching hot at the plate since being called up, hitting four home runs and nine hits in seven games, something that has not gone unnoticed by MLB insider Matt Weyrich.

"He certainly looks completely different from the player who got off to a horrible start," Weyrich said on Foul Territory. "Goes back down in the minor leagues and makes a few tweaks. Gets a little bit lower in his swing, starts to change his approach a little bit towards fastballs."

"He's not a big guy, he's not somebody who is going out there and swinging out of his shoes," Weyrich continued. "We're really seeing now why he was named the number one overall prospect coming into the year."

Jackson Holliday could play a pivotal role for the Orioles this season

It may sound crazy, given his early season struggles. However, Holliday could be a major X factor for the Baltimore Orioles in the postseason. Given his age and lack of MLB experience, there will likely be some growing pains. However, if Holliday can maintain this level of play, he could be a cheat code for the O's at this point of the year.

The Orioles already have one of the most potent lineups in the MLB, thanks to the likes of Gunnar Henderson, Anthony Santander and Adley Rutschman. Now, add a red-hot Holliday, and things could get interesting.