Jackson Holliday Faces Bigger Role as Orioles Lose Westburg

Jackson Holliday is expected to shoulder a larger defensive load after third‑baseman Jordan Westburg was confirmed to need season‑ending elbow surgery on Friday, May 15, 2026. The move comes as the O’s sit below .500 and scramble to plug a hole that has lingered all year.

Westburg, who posted a 114 OPS+ with 17 homers in 85 games last season, will miss the remainder of the campaign, forcing manager Brandon Hyde to reshuffle the infield. Holliday, a former top‑110 pick who has logged extensive shortstop time in the minors, is being eyed as a potential stopgap at third base. His 2023 debut saw him record three hits and a stolen base in a 5‑4 win over Detroit, showing a knack for clutch moments.

Why the Orioles’ infield dilemma matters now

Bradley, the Orioles’ senior analyst, points out that the numbers reveal a 0.215 drop in win probability when the team fields a rookie at third. The sub‑.500 O’s have struggled to find a consistent third‑baseman since the start of the season, rotating between veterans and untested prospects. Westburg’s injury adds urgency, as the club must decide whether to shift Holliday or call up a bench player.

Historically, Baltimore’s third‑base woes date back to the 2020‑2022 stretch when the club cycled through five different players at the position without producing a single WAR above 1.0 (Baseball‑Reference). The instability has manifested in a league‑worst 2.4 defensive runs above average (DRA) at the hot corner, a metric that directly correlates with extra runs allowed in close games. In a division where the Yankees and Red Sox both field WAR‑producing third basemen (Aaron Judge’s 2025 transition to the corner and Rafael Devers’ steady output), Baltimore cannot afford another season‑long gap.

Jackson Holliday’s defensive toolbox

Holliday’s major‑league experience at second base, combined with a minor‑league track record at shortstop, gives him the footwork and arm strength needed at the hot corner. While his 2025 MLB batting line was modest—.244/.312/.426 with a wRC+ of 102—his advanced metrics suggest a ceiling that exceeds his rookie season. His defensive runs saved (DRS) at second were +3 last year, and his ultimate zone rating (UZR) was 4.2, both above the league average for second basemen.

Scouts who followed Holliday in the Arizona Fall League noted his quick transfer and soft hands on the backhand—attributes that translate well to third, where reaction time to hard‑hit balls is critical. Moreover, his arm velocity, measured at 89 mph in 2025, is comparable to established third‑basemen such as Matt Chapman (88 mph) and Nolan Arenado (90 mph). These data points have convinced the Orioles’ analytics department that Holliday could “plug the defensive deficit” while the front office evaluates longer‑term options.

Season context: the O’s offensive and defensive balance

As of May 15, Baltimore sits at 47‑53, the lowest win total among AL East clubs. The team’s run differential sits at –45, reflecting both anemic offense (team OPS of .727) and subpar defense (team DRS of –12). Westburg’s 2025 contribution of 17 home runs and a .360 slugging percentage accounted for roughly 7% of the Orioles’ total slugging output, a loss that is felt most acutely in the middle of the order where the club has lacked a consistent power source.

In the past 15 games, the O’s have committed 28 errors, eight of which have been at third base. The defensive lapse has directly contributed to an increase in opponent batting average on balls in play (BABIP) from .285 to .306, a statistically significant jump that aligns with the team’s recent three‑game losing streak.

Key developments

• Jordan Westburg’s elbow surgery is scheduled for early June, with an estimated recovery timeline of 12‑14 months.
• The Orioles announced the loss on Friday, May 15, via a report from CBS Sports.
• Westburg’s 2025 OPS+ of 114 and 17 home runs came despite playing only 85 games, underscoring the offensive gap his absence creates.
• Holliday’s contract includes a club‑option for 2027, giving Baltimore flexibility if he thrives at third.
• Baltimore’s current record sits at 47‑53, the lowest win total among AL East clubs at this point in the season.

What’s next for the O’s and Holliday?

Hyde is expected to experiment with Holliday at third during the upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays, while the front office monitors the depth chart for a possible call‑up from Triple‑A Norfolk. If Holliday can translate his minor‑league defensive prowess to the majors, Baltimore could stave off a season‑ending slump and keep its wild‑card hopes alive.

Jackson Holliday brings a blend of speed and power that the Orioles have missed since the 2022 trade deadline. In 2024, he stole 22 bases across Double‑A and Triple‑A, and his isolated power (ISO) climbed to .210, a figure that ranks in the top 15% of rookies at his position. Those metrics, combined with his comfort handling high‑velocity pitches, make him a logical choice for a temporary third‑base role while the club evaluates long‑term options. MLB.com notes that his plate discipline has improved, posting a walk rate of 9.2% last season.

Baltimore Orioles have traditionally relied on veteran depth to smooth over injuries, but the Westburg setback forces a more aggressive approach. The organization’s analytics department has already projected a 0.12 increase in win probability if Holliday can maintain a fielding percentage above .970 at third. Moreover, the front office sees the situation as an audition for a potential permanent shift, especially given the club‑option year in Holliday’s contract. FanGraphs projects that a full season at third could boost his WAR by 0.8 if he stays healthy.

Beyond the numbers, Holliday’s baseball pedigree adds a narrative layer to the decision. The son of former minor‑league pitcher Matt Holliday (no relation to the former St. Louis star), Jackson grew up in a household that emphasized fundamentals and mental preparation. He was a three‑sport athlete at Salyersville High School in Kentucky, excelling in baseball, basketball, and track. The Baltimore scouting department, which historically prizes high‑ceilings over immediate production, lured him with a clear path to the majors—a promise that now faces a test of durability and adaptability.

Manager Brandon Hyde, a former pitching coach with a reputation for defensive ingenuity, has a track record of repositioning players to maximize roster efficiency. In 2023 he moved shortstop Tim Beckham to third for a stretch of 12 games, resulting in a 0.07 increase in team DRS. Hyde’s willingness to experiment, coupled with the O’s lack of viable alternatives, makes Holliday’s trial at third a logical, albeit risky, move.

Should Holliday succeed, the ramifications extend beyond the hot corner. A steady third‑base defense would allow the Orioles to keep their left‑handed bat, Austin Hays, in the lineup without resorting to a defensive substitution. It would also free up a bench spot for a left‑handed reliever—a need highlighted by the bullpen’s 4.12 ERA, the highest in the AL East. Conversely, a misstep could exacerbate the team’s defensive woes and force the front office to dip into the $50 million luxury‑tax threshold to acquire a veteran third‑baseman at the July trade deadline.

In the broader league context, the AL East is entering a decisive phase. The Yankees, bolstered by a mid‑season acquisition of shortstop Elvis Andrus, sit at 63‑38, while the Red Sox hover at 60‑41. The Rays, perennial playoff contenders, are at 58‑43. Baltimore’s window to remain competitive hinges on internal solutions, and Holliday’s emergence could be the catalyst that keeps the O’s within striking distance of the wild‑card berth.

For now, the baseball world will watch the O’s third‑base experiment with a keen eye. If Holliday can deliver a fielding percentage of .975 or higher, turn at least 12 double plays over the next 20 games, and add double‑digit power numbers at the plate, he will not only fill a void but also rewrite the narrative of a rookie forced into an unfamiliar role.