Holliday break's over: Tides slugger swats a pair
Jackson Holliday's All-Star break was quite a restorative one. MLB's top prospect had just spent three weeks solely as a designated hitter following an injured list stint due to left elbow inflammation and got a chance to return home. After wrapping up Triple-A Norfolk's series in Memphis, he watched his
Jackson Holliday's All-Star break was quite a restorative one. MLB's top prospect had just spent three weeks solely as a designated hitter following an injured list stint due to left elbow inflammation and got a chance to return home.
After wrapping up Triple-A Norfolk's series in Memphis, he watched his brother Ethan participate in the High School Home Run Derby before his grandfather picked him up for the drive back to Stillwater, Okla. During the ride, the 20-year-old, who was selected first overall two years earlier, streamed the 2024 Draft on his phone, where he saw his Baltimore Orioles take Vance Honeycutt -- who hit at the Hollidays' home over the offseason -- and high school friend Carson Benge go 19th overall to the Mets.
With four days of game action off, Holliday got to unwind with his family, swim in his pool and take a breath.
Friday marked his first game back at second base since the mid-June injury, and it didn't take long for him to make his impact felt. Holliday connected on his second multihomer game as a professional -- and first at Triple-A -- in Norfolk's 12-11 win over Nashville at Harbor Park.
📩 CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO BEN'S BIZ
Leading off, the Orioles' No. 1 prospect jumped on the first pitch he saw against rehabbing Brewers righty Joe Ross, a fastball down the pipe that he crushed over the right-center-field fence. He saw a high fastball over the plate on the second pitch of his following AB and hit it in nearly the same place.
"The last week or so in Memphis, I felt really good getting back to my approach with driving the ball the other way and being ready for heaters," Holliday said. "So it's kind of carried over. Just looking for a fastball to drive early in the count. Usually with the first pitch of the game, if it's a strike, it's probably a good one to hit. So I was able to jump on it. … That was a good night for me, and I'm happy with the progress that we're making and back to hitting high fastballs."
And it wasn't just that he was hitting the ball far -- the homers traveled a combined 778 feet -- Holliday was also happy with his quality of contact. That's been a point of emphasis for him since he struck out in 18 of his 36 Major League plate appearances in April and whiffed on 27.5 percent of his swings on pitches in the zone.
Both of his home runs and a fifth-inning double play were all hit at 100 mph or harder. In fact, his second-inning homer, at 106.2 mph, is tied for the fourth-hardest-hit ball he's had at any level this season.
"When I went up to the big leagues, I had a bit of swing-and-miss -- especially in-zone, which is kind of unlike anything that I've gone through in Minor Leagues," Holliday said. "Hitting the ball hard no matter where it goes is always positive. The double plays aren't fun, but it was a two-strike count. Hitting a curveball hard, I'm happy with that, especially since no one likes to strike out."
The Tides are easing Holliday back to the field, as he left the game after five innings, as was the plan. The infielder expects to play seven innings in the field next before being back to full-go. His bat, it seems, is already there.
Holliday feels that he's learned a lot from this injury, his second as a professional. He's eager to take what he's gained about how to take care of his body -- and attack pitches in the zone better -- for whenever he returns to Baltimore next.
"I'm excited to be back out there because I know the sooner that I'm healthy, hopefully the sooner I'm able to get called back up and help the Major League team," Holliday said. "The arm feels good and it just feels good to get back out there."
Ben Weinrib is a contributor for MiLB.com.
Game Status for Tuesday, July 8th - Brooklyn vs. Wilmington at 6:40 PM
We will provide updates on the status of Tuesday's game throughout the day. Check below for the latest: - 3:30 PM - The sun is out, it's hot. Humid. Not good for those who sweat excessively. Game is still on. The latest forecast model indicates a potential for brief, heavy
Celebrate Home Run Savings Day with Discounts on PRIME Games for Rest of Season
BROOKLYN, NY (July 8, 2025) -- The Cyclones are excited to introduce their first-ever Home Run Savings Day on Tuesday, July 8th with special offers on some of our PRIME games and PRIME seat locations (see what we did there?). Starting at 10 AM on July 8th and running until
Hall Tosses 5.0 frames of Two-Run Ball as 'Clones Fall to 'Gades, 2-1
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Despite five innings of two-run ball from RHP Noah Hall and four scoreless frames from the Brooklyn bullpen, the Cyclones fell to the Hudson Valley Renegades, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon. The only runs Hall surrendered came on a two-run home run. The right-hander -
Santucci Strikes Out Career High 9 as 'Clones Fall to Renegades, 7-0
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Despite a career high nine strikeouts over a career long 6.0 innings of shutout ball from LHP Jonathan Santucci, the Cyclones fell to the Renegades on Saturday night, 7-0. The defeat marks Brooklyn’s first series loss of the 2025 campaign, and their first since
Sureo, Baez Blast Brooklyn to 7-4 Win Over Renegades
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - LF Chris Suero and 3B Jesus Baez clobbered home runs in front of a packed Maimonides Park crowd as the Cyclones, suited up as the Coney Island Franks as part of July 4th festivities, took down the Hudson Valley Renegades, 7-4 on Friday night.
'Clones Can't Capture Thursday Night Win; Fall to Renegades, 4-1
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. - Despite the first multi-hit game at the High-A level for DH Corey Collins, the Cyclones mustered just four hits in a 4-1 loss to the Renegades on Thursday night. The defeat marks Brooklyn’s third straight, before the home-and-home series flips to Brooklyn tomorrow.
Cyclones Derailed, Drop Doubleheader To Renegades
- BOX SCORE (G1)
- PLAY-BY-PLAY (G1)
- BOX SCORE (G2)
- PLAY-BY-PLAY (G2) WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. (July 2, 2025) — The Cyclones' offense never quite got in gear on Wednesday night. Brooklyn was limited to nine hits over 14.0 innings, as the Hudson Valley Renegades swept the doubleheader. The
Cyclones, Renegades Rained Out; Doubleheader Set For Wednesday
WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. (July 1, 2025) — The Brooklyn Cyclones' scheduled game on Tuesday evening against the Hudson Valley Renegades from Heritage Financial Park has been postponed due to rain. The contest will be made up as part of a doubleheader starting at 5:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 2.
1st of the Month Flash Sale: No Fees on Tickets for Game July 4 - July 10th
- To Purchase Tickets -- CLICK HERE To quote the great poets known as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony -- Wake up, wake up, wake up - it's the first of the month. To celebrate the start of July, the Cyclones are having a First of the Month Flash Sale for tickets to
Amazin' Starts Here! Benge & Tong selected to participate in Futures Game During All-Star Weekend in Atlanta
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Former Cyclones OF Carson Benge and RHP Jonah Tong have been selected to the All-Star Futures game, which will be played on Saturday, July 12 in Atlanta as part of MLB’s All-Star festivities. Benge, the No. 3 prospect in the Mets organization according to MLB Pipeline, was
Winker's Whacks RBI Double; Suero Swats 11th Homer in 8-3 'Clones Win
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - DH Jesse Winker began his major league rehab assignment on Sunday, and helped propel the Cyclones to an 8-3 win over Jersey Shore. Brooklyn captured 5 of 6 this week, and improved to a season best 31 games over .500.
Santucci Spins Career-High 8 Strikeouts as 'Clones Down 'Claws, 6-4
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Thanks to a career high eight strikeouts from LHP Jonathan Santucci, the Brooklyn Cyclones captured their 30th home win of the season to improve to 30 games over .500 on the year with a 6-4 win over Jersey Shore on Saturday night. Santucci collected
Gordon's Great Night Gets Brooklyn Back in Win Column, 6-3
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Behind another masterful performance at Maimonides Park from RHP R.J. Gordon, the Cyclones came from behind to capture a Friday night win over the BlueClaws, 6-3. Gordon tossed 6.0 innings of one-run ball, striking out six while walking none. The ‘Clones erased a 3-2
Girton Strikes Out 8 over 4.0 Frames; Mosquera Logs 3 Hits in 5-4 Loss in 11 to Jersey Shore
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - RHP Brendan Girton continued his outstanding campaign, but the Brooklyn Cyclones fell to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, 5-4, in 11 innings on Thursday night. In the loss, Girton chucked four frames of one-run ball, giving up just two hits. The Oklahoma product struck out
Báez & Baro Slug Brooklyn to 12th Come-From-Behind Victory of Season
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Thanks to a pair of solo home runs from 2B Jesús Báez and 3B Boston Baro, combined with another dominant showing from Brooklyn arms, the Cyclones came back to defeat the BlueClaws, 2-1, on Wednesday night at Maimonides Park for their 9th win over
Bullpen Tosses 5.0 Scoreless Innings of Relief as 'Clones Start Home Stand with Win
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - In their return to Maimonides Park for the first time since clinching a spot in the postseason last week, the Cyclones downed the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, 6-2, on Tuesday night. SS Jesus Baez, CF A.J Ewing, C Chris Suero and DH Marco Vargas all
C Chris Suero Named South Atlantic League Player of the Week Following Outstanding Showing in Aberdeen
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - C Chris Suero has been named South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of June 16th for his performance in Aberdeen. The Bronx native enjoyed an outstanding series, going 9-for-19 at the dish with four extra-base hits. Suero clobbered two home runs, logged a
Suero’s Solo Shot Helps Guide Cyclones To 1-0 Shutout Over IronBirds
- BOX SCORE
- PLAY-BY-PLAY ABERDEEN, Md. (June 22, 2025) — C Chris Suero continued his season-long dominance against Aberdeen pitching on Sunday afternoon. The Bronx native clubbed a leadoff solo home run to produce the game’s only run, as three Brooklyn Cyclones pitchers combined for a two-hitter in a
Cyclones’ Six-Game Win Streak Halted In 7-3 Loss To IronBirds
- BOX SCORE
- PLAY-BY-PLAY ABERDEEN, Md. (June 21, 2025) — CF Carson Benge and DH A.J. Ewing each reached base four times and stole a bag, but the Brooklyn Cyclones’ six-game winning streak was snapped in a 7-3 loss to the Aberdeen IronBirds on Saturday night at Ripken Stadium.
Báez, Cyclones Batter IronBirds, Win Sixth Straight, 7-2
- BOX SCORE
- PLAY-BY-PLAY ABERDEEN, Md. (June 20, 2025) — After clinching the First Half North Division title on Thursday night, the Cyclones showed no signs of slowing down on Friday. DH Jesús Báez drove in three runs, including two on a ninth-inning home run, as Brooklyn won its
Suero’s Blast Powers Comeback ‘Clones To First Half Division Title, 6-4
- BOX SCORE
- PLAY-BY-PLAY ABERDEEN, Md. (June 19, 2025) — Down two entering the top of the eighth, Brooklyn rallied for four runs, taking the lead on C Chris Suero’s three-run home run to right, as the Cyclones clinched the South Atlantic League First Half North Division title with
Celebrate the Start of Summer with Reduced Price Tickets for June 27 & June 28
- To Purchase Tickets for Friday, June 27th -- CLICK HERE
- To Purchase Tickets for Saturday, June 28th -- CLICK HERE Starting Thursday, June 19th at 9 AM and running until 11:59 PM we are reducing the price of tickets for Friday, June 27th and Saturday, June 28th to
Dohm, Brooklyn Pitching Dominate, Strike Out 18 In 6-1 Victory
- BOX SCORE
- PLAY-BY-PLAY ABERDEEN, Md. (June 18, 2025) — A night after the bats erupted for 10 runs and 14 hits, the pitchers took center stage on Wednesday night. RHP Nate Dohm struck out a career-high eight over 4.0 innings, as he and four relief arms combined to
Cyclones Rally Late Behind Suero’s Four-Hit Night, 10-2
- BOX SCORE
- PLAY-BY-PLAY ABERDEEN, Md. (June 17, 2025) — C Chris Suero delivered the go-ahead two-run single in the top of the eighth, part of a four-hit, three-RBI night, as the Brooklyn Cyclones rallied to stun the Aberdeen IronBirds, 10-2, on Tuesday night at Ripken Stadium. Down by
End of School Celebration Set for Thursday, June 26th - Free Tickets for Kids
- To Purchase Tickets -- CLICK HERE Kids all over New York are counting down to the end of school and the start of summer, and here at the Brooklyn Cyclones, so are we. So much so, that we have set Thursday, June 26th as our End of School Celebration.