Should Orioles play Jeremiah Jackson over Jackson Holliday? | MAILBAG

Question: I just read your answer to the question regarding what the Orioles might do upon Jackson Holliday’s return. As a follow-up, do you think it’s fair or wise to relegate Jeremiah to a utility role when he is one of only two or three who has produced consistently in favor of someone who hasn’t produced in the time he’s been the regular at second base?

The excuse always made for Holliday is that he’s still only 22. Well, then maybe he shouldn’t be rushed back to Baltimore just because once upon a time he was the number one prospect in baseball. If Holliday must be brought up, make him the utility guy. From: Bob Austin

Answer: Bob, Jeremiah Jackson has been a great story this season. However, the Orioles still haven’t played 15 percent of their games, and we don’t know whether his hot hitting will continue.

As I’ve pointed out before, he needs to draw more walks in addition to hitting the ball well.

As for Holliday, the Orioles have an awful lot invested in him. Don’t dismiss that he was the overall No. 1 pick in 2022. He raced through the minor leagues and was the top prospect for a reason.

Holliday will be given a legitimate chance to play not only because he was the No. 1 pick and the team has much invested in him, but because he has the potential to be a star.

Jackson has proven that he’s a valuable player, and if he continues to play well, the Orioles will find places for him to play.

Holliday is still relatively new at second base, and the Orioles aren’t going to make him a utility player at age 22.

Question: Why was Rico Garcia the winning pitcher in Friday’s game? Anthony Nunez was the pitcher of record when the Orioles took the lead in the eighth inning. And while Nunez did allow the tie-breaking grand slam, he did retire the other two batters he faced. From: Jerry Langbaum 

Answer: Jerry, the official scorer is given discretion to not award the win to the pitcher of record whose appearance was “brief and ineffective.” It’s a rule rarely invoked, but while Nunez was only charged with one run, it was a grand slam, and it allowed three inherited runners to score.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.