For the Baltimore Orioles, Jackson Holliday was supposed to represent the future — another cornerstone talent who could pair with Gunnar Henderson in the infield to lead the franchise into a new era of perennial contention. Instead, his rookie campaign has been more of a reality check. Despite earning an All-Star nod, the 21-year-old second baseman has struggled to find consistent footing.

On paper, Holliday’s numbers aren’t disastrous. A .245/.316/.381 slash line with 17 home runs and 55 RBI is respectable for a first full season, yet the lack of hard contact and defensive shortcomings hint at larger concerns beneath the surface. And when you add in the fact that he’s dealing with a banged-up knee, the worry multiplies. For hitters, knee issues are notoriously problematic — sapping both lower-half power and swing mechanics in ways that can linger if not properly addressed.

Orioles star Jackson Holliday’s knee injury raises bigger questions about his game

A telling comparison is Jorge Polanco’s 2024 season. Seattle’s veteran infielder played through knee problems that ultimately resulted in the worst offensive production of his career (.213/.296/.355 with 16 homers and 45 RBI).

After undergoing surgery and returning to a managed workload with the Mariners, Polanco bounced back with a much stronger 2025, slashing .265/.325/.489 with 25 home runs and 75 RBIs. The lesson is clear: when knees aren’t right, the bat usually isn’t either. For Holliday, that could help explain his inability to hit the ball hard with consistency, especially in the second half of the season.

Defensively, the knee may not even be the most pressing concern. Holliday has already shown poor range at second base, with a -8 Outs Above Average, despite possessing above-average speed. That suggests the issue isn’t simply athleticism but reaction time and field instincts.

Combined with his offensive downturn — just three home runs since the trade deadline and an 8% barrel rate that lags well behind expectations, the Orioles find themselves with a player who isn’t yet adding value in any clear way.

That doesn’t mean Holliday’s career is in shambles. He’s still only 21, and plenty of young players endure rocky introductions to the majors before figuring things out. The Orioles will need to decide whether to let him play through the struggles or take a more measured approach, perhaps protecting him physically the way Seattle did with Polanco.

Either way, Baltimore must be cautious. A banged-up knee may be slowing Holliday down, but the larger concern is whether it masks deeper flaws in his approach at the plate and in the field.