A few weeks ago, Inside The Diamonds Top 100 prospects entering the 2024 season were released, and at the top of the rankings was shortstop Jackson Holliday for the Baltimore Orioles coming in at number one and RHP Paul Skenes for the Pittsburgh Pirates coming in at number two. Holliday was the number one overall pick in the 2022 draft while Skenes was the number one overall pick in the 2023 draft. The two faced off today in a Grapefruit League game at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, FL the home of the Orioles.
The Matchup
In the Bottom of the First, the matchup took place with Holliday batting leadoff and Skenes getting the start for the Pirates. Skenes would win the matchup as he got Holliday to ground out to second base on a 100-mph fastball.
Jackson Holliday’s Day
Holliday would step to the plate four times on the day, after his ground out against Skenes his second at-bat also ended in a ground out this time to the pitcher. In the Bottom of the Fifth he stepped back in and this time he singled to left field to lead off the inning, it wouldn’t amount to anything as the next three batters were retired and the inning was over. In the Bottom of the Sixth, he came up again with a runner on first and two outs and he would hit a triple to right field which scored a run to tie the game at 5-5. Holliday following the inning would be subbed out.
Paul Skenes’ Day
Skenes after facing Holiday would face Adley Rutschman and Heston Kjerstad who is ranked as the 33rd overall prospect by ITD. Skenes got both batters out to record a 1-2-3 inning in his only inning of work. Rutschman flew out to right field and Kjerstad flew out to left field. Skenes reportedly topped out at 102 mph.
The Other Prospects
Baltimore
#30 – 1B/3B – Coby Mayo: 0-3, K
#33 – OF – Heston Kjerstad: 1-3
#93 – OF – Enrique Bradfield: 0-1, R, K
Pittsburgh
#35 – 2B – Termarr Johnson: 1-2, RBI
#79 – LHP – Anthony Solometo: 1 IP, K
Orioles Win 9-8
Next Matchup
For the first time ever, Major League Baseball will feature a Spring Breakout which will be a prospect showcase and will run from March 14th to March 17th. These two will rematch as the Orioles are scheduled to take on the Pirates at 7:05 PM on Thursday, March 14th and both players will be taking part in the showcase as the top prospect for each of their respective teams.
