After a rookie renaissance the past couple years, some top prospects have struggled this season
BALTIMORE (AP) — Jackson Holliday’s debut with the Baltimore Orioles went south in a hurry when the 20-year-old infielder managed only two hits in 34 at-bats, striking out in exactly half his plate appearances.
If it’s any consolation, there are a few other top prospects who can probably relate.
Colt Keith in Detroit? He’s hitting .177. Wyatt Langford of the Texas Rangers? He batted .224 before landing on the injured list. Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio has been a little better, with four home runs to his credit, but the highly touted outfielder is hitting .214 with an on-base percentage of just .262.
None of those three were sent back to the minor leagues like Holliday — not yet, at least — but their struggles are indicative of a trend through the first month and a half of the season. Just when it appeared baseball’s young standouts had mastered the transition from Triple-A to the majors, a few of the game’s prized prospects showed up and went through a humbling experience.