The Orioles were among the busiest teams leading up to the trade deadline, acquiring slugging designated hitter/outfielder Eloy Jimenez, two-time All-Star reliever Gregory Soto, one-time All-Star starting pitcher Trevor Rogers and starting pitcher Zach Eflin.
Second baseman Connor Norby was the big-ticket prospect who moved out of Baltimore, clearing the way for Holliday to return to the Orioles infield.
The 2022 first overall pick has feasted on minor league pitching since being drafted and recorded 10 home runs, 38 RBI and eight stolen bases with a .271/.431/.477 slash line over 266 at-bats in 73 games with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides in 2024. However, that success didn’t translate to the show earlier this year when Holliday went just 2-for-34 with five runs scored, one RBI, two walks and a whopping 18 strikeouts across his first 10 games with Baltimore.
Now, with the Orioles in the thick of a pennant chase, the 20-year-old will rejoin the likes of All-Star and AL MVP candidate Gunnar Henderson, All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman and the rest of the team’s powerful lineup.
Baltimore is seeking its second straight AL East title but hasn’t been to the World Series since winning it all in 1983.