Leftovers for breakfast

It’s beginning to happen right before our eyes. The first-overall draft pick in 2022, formerly the top prospect in baseball, is drifting to star status and rising above the hype that could have buried him.

Jackson Holliday was gaining as much notice for his struggles in the majors as the tools that got him there. He experienced frustration and the disappointment of getting sent down as a rookie last season, batting .189 with a .565 OPS in 60 games while exposed for the first time to failure. He struck out 69 times, a total he matched in 86 more plate appearances going into last night.

Holliday was hitting .265/.313/.422 with 12 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 32 RBIs. He tied his career high with four RBIs in the series opener against the Rangers and came within a triple of the cycle. And he did it again from the leadoff spot, where he’s become tethered.

Last night marked the 37^th time this season that Holliday batted first, the 32^nd since Tony Mansolino became interim manager. The lineup combinations spin like reels on a slot machine, but Holliday apparently won’t move unless he’s on the bench.

Mansolino said it casually Monday night, but he made one of the boldest statements of the season.

Asked about Holliday’s three-run, left-on-left homer into the bullpen, Mansolino said, "After that swing, I told whoever was standing next to me, I was like, ‘This is your leadoff hitter, at least for the next five years.’ Left- or right-handed, I don't think this kid goes anywhere else in the lineup.

“I took him out of the leadoff spot against (Tarik) Skubal. I don't think I'll ever do that. I think he's probably staying there, barring something unforeseen. But he's getting to the point where he’s getting more neutral.”

Holliday appreciated the confidence shown in him.

“Really cool, really cool to hear that," he said. "It means a lot to have his trust and to be able to lead off for such a great team and hopefully set the tone for a while."

We can debate “great team,” but certainly not how much Holliday has earned the chance.

Jordan Westburg’s hamstring injury probably gave Holliday more starts, but the splits mentioned by Mansolino assured that the game log would keep expanding. He was 18-for-66 with four doubles and two home runs against left-handers, and his .273/.314/.424 line was a hair better than his .263/.313/.421 line against right-handers. He went 4-for-40 versus lefties last year.

The splits this season also showed that Holliday was 11-for-30 with two homers against them in June before last night. The Rangers started southpaw Jacob Latz as an opener, and Holliday finished 0-for-3 with a walk.

Ryan O’Hearn seems like a lock to start at designated hitter for the American League in next month’s All-Star Game in Atlanta. Holliday has moved into the running at second base as a reserve if he can’t catch Detroit’s Gleyber Torres. Holliday had 806,133 votes on Monday, compared to 1,133,888 for Torres. Houston’s Jose Altuve was on his heels with 795,123.

The top two vote-getters advance to Phase 2.

“It’s quite a blessing to even be in this situation. But to be able to be on All-Star voting is pretty awesome,” Holliday said.

“I’m very blessed and lucky to be in this situation. Whatever happens, happens, but it’s an honor either way.”

Holliday’s 73 hits before last night ranked second to Brandon Lowe’s 74 among AL second basemen. His 12 doubles and .265 average also were second, his nine home runs and .735 OPS were third, and his 32 RBIs tied for third. His two triples ranked first.

Mansolino has much bigger expectations for Holliday.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “When I look at Jackson, I'm not concerned about the All-Star thing right now. It's like, 'How do we get this kid to be one of the top five players in the game by 2027?' That's how I look at Jackson."

* A roster move is coming later today with Brandon Young going from taxi squad to active roster. The Orioles will option reliever Yaramil Hiraldo.

The question was whether Young started or pitched in bulk relief, but left-hander Keegan Akin was needed last night and can’t serve as the opener.

The Rangers are starting Jacob deGrom.

Infielder Terrin Vavra was on the 24-hour medical taxi squad but likely goes back to Triple-A Norfolk. Jordan Westburg appears to have avoided the IL and could be in tonight’s lineup. Or Friday following the off-day.

Vavra hasn’t played in the majors since 2023 but he’s made multiple appearances at Camden Yards, including one day last summer at the trade deadline.

* The Orioles fell to 19-9 against the Rangers in the regular season since the beginning of 2021. Their .679 winning percentage during that span is the highest of any American League club.

* The Orioles recorded four hits or fewer for the 17^th time this season, second most in the majors behind the Rangers’ 19.

* Last night marked the sixth time since 1961 that a team hit three or more home runs in an inning in which they also broke up a no-hit bid.

This is the first time that the Orioles did it in the seventh inning or later to take the lead since Jim Gentile, Gus Tirandos and Ron Hansen on April 30, 1961 in Game 2 of a doubleheader, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.