The Baltimore Orioles made a difficult decision.

The Orioles sent infielder Jackson Holliday to the minor league camp on the 23rd (Korea time).

Jackson, a seven-time All-Star and son of former big leaguer Matt Halliday, is the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft and is the No. 1 overall pick in the league's prospects rankings this season by MLBcom .

He hit 0.311 with a .354 on-base percentage, a .600 slugging percentage, two homers, six RBIs, two steals, three walks and 15 strikeouts in 15 games this spring camp.

The news contrasts with the news announced on the same day that other top prospects, including Jackson Cholio (Millywood) and Wyatt Langford (Tegarts), will join the opening roster.

Halliday, who started the season in Single A last year and finished the season in Triple A with "Pick Up Grades," will open the season in Triple A.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias told the Baltimore Sun and other local media that the decision was aimed at "completing the development of players."

He explained that he sent Halliday down to the minors because he still lacks experience against a high level of left and has to gain experience in second base defense.

Sending the league's top prospects to the minors was a "very difficult decision" and he thought a lot about it, but added, "I'm sure it was the right decision."

In Major League Baseball, prospects sometimes start the season in the minor leagues to slow down service time acquisition periods.

Asked if these factors influenced the decision, Elias denied, saying, "It's unfortunate to talk about such specter."

According to the changed league rules, if Holiday ranks in the top two in the Rookie of the Year vote, he will be fully recognized for one year of service time.

Baltimore also called up pitcher prospect Grayson Rodriguez as an injury replacement last season after sending him down to the minors.

Asked if Halliday would be called up in a similar situation, Elias replied: "What matters is the development of the player."