Everything you need to know about the 18-year-old phenom shortstop (and son of MLB All-Star slugger Matt Holliday) ahead of the 2022 MLB Draft.
The opening round of the 2022 MLB Draft arrives on Sunday, July 17 as part of the MLB All-Star festivities, and once things kick off, expect to hear the name Jackson Holliday early. And if by chance the Oklahoma shortstop is the No. 1 pick overall — there’s a modest chance this will indeed happen — expect no one to be prouder than his dad.
That would be Matt Holliday, a seven-time MLB All-Star who cracked 316 home runs and collected a World Series ring across 15 seasons. And if you ask professional scouts, Jackson’s ability to make consistent contact with the fat part of the bat naturally recalls a left-handed version of pops, who finished his career hitting just a hair below .300.
Ahead of MLB Draft day, let’s establish everything you need to know about Jackson Holliday’s scouting report and how he factors in as a potential future star of the game.
Who is Jackson Holliday?
Age: 18
Height: 6-foot-1
Bats/Throws: L/R
Position: SS
Home town: Stillwater, Oklahoma
School: Stillwater High School
Fast both on his feet and with his glove, Holliday doesn’t only project as a potential slugger — and note that while he did swat 17 dingers as a senior, the kid also struck out just seven times over the course of the entire season. He also drew 33 walks on the way to boasting an otherworldly 1.392 OPS.
If that combination of poise, power, and plate discipline can translate up the lower levels of the professional game, Holliday will have every chance to be one of the game’s next big things in the middle infield.
Jackson Holliday Stats & Accolades
- Slashed .685/.749/1.392 in 41 games as a senior
- Broke JT Realmuto’s Oklahoma high school record for most hits in a season (89)
- 2022 Baseball America High School Player of the Year
- 2022 Perfect Game National Player of the Year
- 2022 Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year
- 2021 Perfect Game All-American
Jackson Holliday MLB Scouting Report
Scout ratings are via MLB Pipeline and exist on a 20-80 scale. 50 is considered average for an MLB player.
Hit: 60
Power: 55
Run: 60
Arm: 55
Field: 55
Overall: 60
Expected MLB Draft position: Top 3
The expert take on Jackson Holliday:
“Jackson Holliday is the most humble, hardest-working baseball player I have ever seen. He has a professional work ethic and the way he trains and takes care of his body is one of his great strengths. His baseball IQ is at a very high level and he really understands how to play the game at a high level.”
— Jimmy Harris, Holliday’s high school coach (via Gatorade)