Prospect Report: Jackson Holliday Finishes A Homer Shy Of The Cycle — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

Image credit:Jackson Holliday (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Jackson Holliday, SS, Orioles: A night after going 3-for-3 and finishing a single short of the cycle in a rain shortened game, Holliday went 5-for-5 over his first five at-bats. The 2022 No. 1 overall pick finished the game 5-for-6, with two triples, a double and a stolen base. Holliday is 8-for-9 so far on the week and looks like a sure bet for next week’s Hot Sheet. The shortstop is making an extremely strong case as the top prospect in the game. 

Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Cardinals: The lefthander made his 2023 MLB debut with the Cardinals on Wednesday, tossing five scoreless innings against the Brewers. Liberatore struck out six while allowing three hits and three walks, and he out pitched Brewers ace Corbin Burnes. He sat 95 mph on his four-seam fastball, relying heavily on his upper-70s curveball, generating eight whiffs against his four-seam and four whiffs against his curveball. It was a strong showing for the lefthander. 

James Wood, OF, Nationals: The 6-foot-6 slugger has been on fire as of late: he’s hit .311/.426/.667 over his last 12 games, running a 16.7% walk rate over that time with eight extra-base hits. Wood went 2-for-4 on Wednesday with a walk to run his on-base streak to 20 games. His power exploits have been impressive as well, particularly in the context of his home park at High-A Wilmington, one of the most difficult parks to hit for power throughout all of professional baseball. 

Jordan Beck, OF, Rockies: The Rockies second-round pick out of Tennessee last July has been a man on fire as of late. He went 3-for-5 on Wednesday, connecting for his 10th home run of the season. Beck reached base four times during the game and scored three runs. The outfielder is hitting .287/.352/.600 over his first 29 games in High-A with a 21.1% strikeout rate. Beck’s power is no shock, but his advanced approach and improved bat-to-ball skills are more surprising as he struggled at times with whiffs at the collegiate level. 

Tyler Locklear, 1B, Mariners: Outside of Beck few players have hit for as much power as the former Virginia Commonwealth star. The infielder hit a home run for the second consecutive game, running his season total to eight overall. Locklear, a second-round pick last July, is hitting .308/.399/.577 with eight home runs and a 155 wRC+. Locklear is doing everything he can to earn a promotion to Double-A before the beginning of June. 

Bryan Woo, RHP, Mariners: Could Woo be the breakout pitcher of 2023? After impressing toward the end of last season and turning in a strong showing during the Arizona Fall League, the former sixth-rounder from Cal Poly is dominating at Double-A to start the season. On Wednesday, Woo went six innings, allowing one run on seven hits and a walk, while striking out 10. Over seven starts in the treacherous Texas League, Woo is the owner of a 1.85 ERA with 49 strikeouts to seven walks over 34 innings.

Emmet Sheehan, RHP, Dodgers: Is Sheehan the most underrated pitcher in the Dodgers loaded system? It’s possible. Despite reliever questions, Sheehan continues to impress in one of the more fearsome pitching environments in the minor leagues. Sheehan went five scoreless on Wednesday, allowing two hits, no walks and striking out 10 batters. Sheehan generated 21 swinging strikes in this game while landing 58 of 76 pitches for strikes (76.3% strike rate). Armed with one of the best fastballs in the minor leagues and secondaries he can land for strikes, don’t sleep on Sheehan as a potential Top 100 prospect.