Jackson Holliday, a rising star for the Baltimore Orioles, has recently made significant improvements at the plate thanks to the guidance of his father, former Major League Baseball player Matt Holliday. This valuable advice came leading into an April 23 game against the Washington Nationals, helping Jackson refine his approach and boost his performance.
Matt Holliday Observes and Offers Insight on Jackson’s Swing Changes
Having spent 15 years in the MLB across multiple American and National League teams, Matt Holliday is well-acquainted with what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Watching his son’s progress closely, Matt noticed that Jackson had shifted his batting stance late in the previous season, becoming more vertical and upright. Before the April 23 game, Matt reached out with fatherly recommendations based on Jackson’s hitting mechanics from late 2024.
I did mention to him, ‘Hey, it looks to me like you’re a little bit around the ball,’
Matt said.
He also shared video clips from Jackson’s most successful final week of the 2024 season, emphasizing,
This is when you were really, really good last year.
Jackson Holliday’s Adjustments Lead to Stronger On-Field Performance
Following this advice, Jackson started making changes to his timing and stance, including shifting from a leg kick to more of a toe tap and adjusting the positioning of his hands. According to Matt, this helped create more space for Jackson’s hands and allowed for better control and rhythm during his swing.
When he initially started this move of more of the toe tap and away from the leg kick, his hands were a little further away from him, and I think gave him a little more space to maneuver, and so, we talked about that,
Matt explained.
I think it’s been a good adjustment, and it’s keeping his bat, I think, in the strike zone a little bit longer, and I think it’s keeping his front side on the ball a little bit better.
These refinements have translated into measurable success. Between April 23 and May 23, Jackson’s contact quality improved noticeably, and over 29 games, he boasts an impressive batting average of .297, with increased plate productivity compared to earlier in the season. He also ended the previous season hitting .389/.522/.444 during the final two weeks, reflecting the positive effects of these adjustments.
The Impact of Jackson’s Development on the Orioles’ Outlook
Jackson’s progress is an encouraging sign for the Orioles, a club that has struggled offensively in recent seasons. As Baltimore moves deeper into a demanding summer schedule, the emergence of this second-year player as a reliable hitter could provide a much-needed boost. Matt Holliday’s involvement highlights the unique advantages Jackson has as the son of a veteran player, blending natural talent with experienced guidance.
This father-son connection, paired with ongoing tweaks to Jackson’s batting approach, may well set the stage for him to become a key contributor as the Orioles aim to strengthen their lineup and compete more effectively. Continued growth in Jackson’s at-bats is likely to attract attention within the league and from Orioles fans eager to see the young player fulfill his potential.