Struggling Prospect Holliday Faces Early Season Challenges

BALTIMORE, Md. — After being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Gunnar Holliday was poised for a breakout season in the majors. However, as the 2025 season unfolds, the 20-year-old Baltimore Orioles second baseman is grappling with disappointing statistics and a concerning performance in his early plate appearances.

Entering the 2025 season, the baseball community was optimistic that Holliday could turn around his fortunes after a strong showing in the minors, where he posted an impressive .908 OPS in Triple-A. Yet, as the season progresses, the realities of playing in the major leagues have set in. In his first 48 plate appearances this season, Holliday’s line stands at .213/.229/.340, with just one home run, four RBIs, and one stolen base. These numbers have led to a wRC+ of 63 and a fWAR of -0.2.

“I see improvement in his approach,” said an Orioles scout, who wished to remain anonymous. “While his overall numbers don’t reflect it, he’s been making better contact and is being more selective with his swings.”

Despite this scout’s affirming remarks, Holliday’s early challenges are hard to ignore, notably his 33% strikeout rate from last season, which has followed him into the current campaign. He has walked only once in 48 plate appearances, indicating struggles with pitch recognition that were not prevalent during his minor league career.

In the minors, Holliday was known for his keen eye, boasting a walk rate of 21.7% at Triple-A. However, since joining the Orioles, that skill hasn’t translated effectively, raising questions about his patience and discipline at the plate. His average exit velocity of 90.3 mph offers a glimpse of potential, but his below-average bat speed has limited his hard-hit rate significantly.

“We’re all pulling for him,” said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. “He’s a young player, and we believe he can grow into the star we envisioned. But we need to see those improvements materialize in games.”

Given Holliday’s continued presence in the starting lineup, the Orioles are signaling that they have faith in his ability to develop further. The organization is keen to let him work through these early-season trials at the major league level instead of relegating him back to the minors.

As of now, Holliday ranks as the 37th best second baseman in fantasy baseball, significantly below expectations after being drafted as the 18th. Fantasy players have noticed the imbalance between his draft value and current output, prompting caution among those who invested early.

“It’s still too early to panic,” said a fantasy baseball analyst. “In deeper leagues, you might want to hold onto him a bit longer and see if the talent shines through.”

Looking ahead, the Orioles’ lineup offers Holliday a supportive environment conducive to scoring runs and driving in RBIs if he can improve on his on-base percentage. His speed, recorded at an impressive 28.8 ft/sec, positions him to be an asset on the base paths. Analysts project him to collect 9-12 stolen bases this season, yet with the potential to reach the 30-steal mark if given the green light from management.

Ultimately, Holliday’s fantasy value may hinge on his capacity to leverage his speed while developing consistency as a hitter. As the weather warms and the season progresses, fantasy owners remain hopeful that the once-hyped prospect can recapture the early promise that made him a top draft pick.