'The easiest guy to coach': Why Stillwater's Jackson Holliday is a top 2022 MLB Draft prospect

Jackson Holliday continues to trend upward.

As the son of former Major League Baseball All-Star Matt Holliday, Jackson has built some buzz for himself as the 2022 Major League Baseball draft is just two months away.

After an outstanding career at Stillwater High School, the Oklahoma State signee is projected to be a top-five pick in this year's MLB draft by multiple outlets.

His résumé is a big reason why.

In 40 games this spring, Holliday had a .685 batting overage with 17 home runs and 79 runs batted in. The 2021 Perfect Game All-American recorded 37 singles, 29 doubles and six triples. Holliday not only hit for power, but he was a force on the base paths, stealing 30 bases this season.

"Jackson was the easiest guy to coach," Stillwater coach Jimmy Harris said. "He always worked hard and he really cares for his team."

More: Matt Holliday has lived a charmed baseball life. His oldest son, Jackson, could be next.

Last year, the state of Oklahoma featured a high school player at the top of the 2021 MLB Draft. Jackson Jobe, a right-handed pitcher from Heritage Hall, was selected third by the Detroit Tigers.

Holliday has a chance to be a top-five pick himself. Holliday's performance on the field this season has many big league teams interested in him, and many outlets have taken notice, placing the senior high on their mock drafts.

Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report has Holliday going fourth to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"After some inconsistency on the showcase circuit last summer," Reuter wrote, "he has taken a major step forward this spring, showcasing one of the best hit tools in the draft class with improved strength and athleticism to boot..."

Keith Law of the Athletic has Holliday projected to go to the Texas Rangers with the third pick.

"Jackson (Holliday) has shown great feel to barrel up all kinds of pitching," Law wrote in his scouting report. "He put on some good muscle this offseason and impressed scouts and executives when his team went to Arizona during spring break in March..."

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has Jackson projected as the first overall pick to the Baltimore Orioles. With a draft board that seems to be dominated by kids of former Major League players, Mayo's reasoning for the Orioles taking Holliday first is a bit different. Rather than citing Holliday's skillset, Mayo places monetary value as the top reason.

"Holliday might not command the same bonus as (Druw) Jones, the top talent in the class," Mayo wrote, "so the O’s could get a high-end talent and be able to get more creative with their bonus pool..."

More: Red Oak wins Class A, Roff takes Class B in state baseball championship play

None of the outlets shy away from the fact that Jackson is the son of Matt Holliday. Even though Jackson has made his case for the MLB Draft with his numbers alone, coming from a father that had such an accomplished professional career has only presumably helped teams' interest.

Matt played 15 MLB seasons for the Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees. He was a seven-time All-Star during a career that spanned from 2004-2018. Matt finished second in the National League Most Valuable Player voting in 2007 after leading the Rockies to their first-ever World Series appearance. Matt joined the Oklahoma State baseball coaching staff in July 2019 as a volunteer assistant coach.

That type of production doesn't come around often. And it's safe to say, teams are hoping Jackson can be just as good, if not better than his father.

James D. Jackson covers high school sports across the Oklahoma City metro and state. Have a story idea for James? He can be reached at jjackson@oklahoman.com or on Twitter @JamesDJackson15. Support digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HS baseball: Jackson Holliday a top 2022 MLB Draft prospect