In a surprising move, the Baltimore Orioles have decided to demote outfielder Jackson Holliday to Triple-A Norfolk after just ten games in the Major League Baseball (MLB). The struggling top prospect has been sent down due to his lackluster performance at the plate, with only two hits in 34 at-bats and a high strikeout rate of 50% in his plate appearances.

To fill the void left by Holliday, the Orioles have selected the contract of outfielder Ryan McKenna from Triple-A Norfolk. McKenna returns to the team as a corresponding move, replacing catcher David Bañuelos, who was designated for assignment to create a spot on the 40-man roster.

Holliday's underwhelming results at the MLB level have left fans disappointed, especially when comparing his performance to other young prospects in the league. Milwaukee's 20-year-old Jackson (Chourio) has a batting average of .639, while San Diego's 20-year-old Jackson (Merrill) has an impressive OPS of .787. Holliday's struggles have been evident in his approach at the plate, often failing to swing at pitches on the outside corner and missing fastballs in the strike zone.

MASN analyst Ben McDonald has attributed Holliday's difficulties to his timing, particularly with big league fastballs. It appears that a mechanical adjustment may be necessary for Holliday to overcome these challenges. The decision to send him down to Triple-A Norfolk provides an opportunity for him to work on these adjustments without the pressure of affecting the Orioles' record.

The Orioles' lineup will undergo further changes as they explore different options in the outfield. They could potentially move Jordan Westburg to second base and have Ramón Urías play third, or alternatively utilize Urías or Jorge Mateo at second base. The presence of McKenna suggests that the Orioles have reservations about relying on Colton Cowser as a backup center fielder or Heston Kjerstad's outfield abilities. McKenna, who performed adequately as a reserve outfielder last year with a .677 OPS, seems to be a more suitable candidate for the fourth outfielder role.

The Orioles' outfield mix is expected to shift again soon with the potential return of Austin Hays from the injured list, as initial comments suggest a short stay on the list. McKenna's presence may provide stability in the outfield, but for fans who have been eagerly awaiting Kjerstad's arrival, it may be a disappointment to see him continue to excel in Triple-A rather than hitting home runs in an Orioles uniform.

Overall, the Orioles' decision to send Jackson Holliday to Triple-A Norfolk underscores the need for improvement in his performance at the MLB level. With the chance to work on his mechanics and regain his confidence, Holliday aims to return stronger and prove himself against big league pitchers.