Jackson Holliday
The son of a baseball star, this infielder rocketed through the minors to become the top prospect in the game and a symbol of Baltimore's bright future.
Born 2003 (age 23)·American baseball player·Birthday: December 4·Generation Z
Biography
Jackson Holliday carries the weight of a famous name and the expectations of a franchise, yet he moves with the poised ease of a natural. The first overall pick in the 2022 draft, he is the son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, but has swiftly carved his own path. A shortstop with a smooth left-handed swing and advanced feel for the game, he tore through the minor leagues with staggering speed, winning Minor League Player of the Year honors in 2023. His promotion to the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 marked the arrival of a cornerstone player for a young, ascending team. While early struggles are part of any rookie's story, Holliday's blend of lineage, skill, and maturity positions him not just as a promising talent, but as a central figure in the next era of Orioles baseball.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Jackson was born in 2003, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jackson Was Born
The biggest hits of 2003
#1 Movie
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best Picture
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
#1 TV Show
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Jackson's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2003Born
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2008Started school
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2016Became a teenager
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2019Could drive
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2021Could vote
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2024Turned 21
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 23 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected first overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2022 MLB Draft.
- Named the 2023 Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America after dominating across four levels.
- Made his Major League debut with the Baltimore Orioles in April 2024 at age 20.
- Became the number one ranked prospect in all of baseball prior to his debut in 2024.
Did You Know?
He played high school football as a quarterback in addition to baseball.
His uncle, Josh Holliday, is the head baseball coach at Oklahoma State University.
He was committed to play college baseball at Oklahoma State University before signing with the Orioles.
In his first full minor league season, he led all minor leaguers in on-base percentage (.442) and runs scored (113).
“I'm just trying to be myself and play the game the right way.”
