Jackson Holliday

The son of seven-time all-star and four-time Silver Slugger Matt Holliday, Jackson is a lefthanded-hitting, toolsy shortstop who significantly boosted his draft stock by getting bigger and stronger this spring. Holliday had an inconsistent performance on the showcase circuit last summer, where scouts saw him get big and aggressive with his swing and show more whiff tendencies than he did as an underclassman. Scouts with history watching Holliday believed he was simply looking to hit for power, rather than letting his developing power come naturally and he looked like his instinctual and natural hitting self this spring in Oklahoma, where he broke JT Realmuto’s national hits record. Holliday worked hard over the offseason and added plenty of strength—as well as a few inches of height—to his frame, while showing an impressive ability to drive the ball to the opposite field. He looks like a plus hitter when he is focused on the opposite field gap and willing to go the other way, instead of ripping out on his front side and trying to hunt homers like he did over the summer. Holliday still has room to add more strength to a 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame and he could grow into above-average power in the future. His tools improved across the board after his offseason in the weight room and he now shows plus running ability, above-average power and plus arm strength. In a class light on true shortstops, Holliday is the best bet of the top tier hitters in the class to stick at the position. He has solid hands and instincts, impressive athleticism and great carry and accuracy on his throws, which at times look like they are climbing into a second gear on the way to first base. He also shows a good understanding of where to position himself. Holliday is committed to Oklahoma State but has put himself in position to be one of the first players selected in the draft and has a special combination of tools, lefthanded-hitting ability, premium defensive positional value and professional bloodlines.