Miami Marlins draft preview: Jackson Holliday

This is a part of our ongoing series about the upcoming draft and the players that the Miami Marlins can potentially target. The Fish pick sixth in the first round and I’m specifically focusing on the top available players in that particular round. Today we’ll be looking at short stop prospect Jackson Holliday. It’s unfortunately not very likely that he’ll fall to us, as he’s projected to be picked well before our sixth pick. Still, what if he falls?

Jackson Holliday is an interesting possible option for the Miami Marlins.

Jackson Holliday is an 18 year old left-handed batter, who fits our position of need, though he wouldn’t be ready to help as fast as we might need a solution at the position for. Still, if he falls down to us, he has a 60 grade for both his hitting and his speed.

Let’s see what MLB.com thinks of him…

The son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, Jackson not only has some of the best bloodlines in the high school class but also is one of its better hitters. Though he struggled at times on the showcase circuit last summer when he got too focused on homers, he finished strong and has taken his game to another level as a high school senior and should go in the first five selections. Gatorade’s Oklahoma prep player of the year, he broke J.T. Realmuto’s national high school record for hits in a season with 89 in 41 games while batting .685/.749/1.392.

Holliday has an advanced approach, no surprise given his roots, and a knack for putting the barrel on the ball. He usually makes consistent hard contact, though he didn’t during the summer when he let his simple left-handed stroke get too long. After getting bigger and stronger, he’s hitting the ball with more authority than ever this spring, and he also looks more relaxed at the plate and is letting his considerable power come naturally.

Holliday has gotten faster as he has gotten stronger, and he now flashes plus-plus run times as a senior and is a consistent plus runner. He’s throwing better too, and his solid to plus arm strength and enhanced quickness give him a better opportunity to remain at shortstop. His high baseball IQ also helps his chances after many evaluators previously believed he was destined for second or third base.

It’s obvious that he has serious potential and that he has some amazing skills that can ideally be developed further. I would definitely want the Miami Marlins to pick Jackson Holliday if it becomes possible at all.