In a stacked year for hitting prospects across baseball, Las Vegas Aristocrats infielder Jackson Holliday stood above the rest earning the 2023 RDBL Hitting Prospect of the Year Award on Tuesday.
Holliday was acquired in a mid-season deal with the Idaho Taters for Juan Soto and Adolis Garcia in a move that also dealt away Pitching Prospect of the Year candidate Gavin Williams. While the move was critical to the Taters reaching the Playoffs for the first time in Franchise History, it's certain to give GM Mike Friedrich some heartache in the future.
Holliday torched the Minor Leagues in 2023, spanning four levels while slashing .326/.444/.504 while reaching Triple-A last week at just 19 years of age. Starting the year at Class A, Holliday proved to be far too talented for the level, slashing .396/.522/.660 before a quick promotion. Two additional promotions followed with Holliday likely to break into the big leagues early next season at just 20 years old.
No hitting prospect under a Minor League contract is more valued in the RDBL while only Eury Perez would rank ahead of the Orioles phenom overall according to those close to RDBL Prospect Rankers.
Holliday becomes the first Aristocrat to win the Hitting Prospect of the Year Award with Michael Harris, Bobby Witt, Jr. and Yordan Alvarez winning the last three seasons.
Triston Casas (Falcons), Jasson Dominguez (Maulers) and Junior Caminero (Stacks) ranked next best among prospects considered.
Honorable Mention: Triston Casas (Falcons), Jordan Walker (Grapes), Dylan Crews (Ducks), Jordan Lawlar (Grapes), Junior Caminero (Stacks), Jasson Dominguez (Maulers)
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