IP | 15 |
---|---|
ERA | 1.8 |
WHIP | 1.13 |
BB/9 | 4.2 |
SO/9 | 7.2 |
- Full name Colby Keith Holcombe
- Born 12/12/2002 in Florence, AL
- Profile Ht.: 6'7" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Northeast Mississippi CC
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Drafted in the 9th round (277th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2024 (signed for $197,500).
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Holcombe ranked as a top-200 pitcher in the 2022 class out of Northeast Mississippi JC thanks to his huge frame and a fastball up to 99 mph, but he instead went to Mississippi State. He struggled in the SEC for two seasons and posted a 9.05 ERA over 57.2 innings (mostly out of the bullpen) and also struggled in the New England Collegiate League this summer. He has power stuff, including a fastball that sits 94 and gets into the upper 90s, a mid-80s slider and a firm upper-90s changeup. Holcombe’s stuff and size, at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, is tantalizing but he needs plenty of refinement as a pitcher.
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Draft Prospects
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Holcombe ranked as a top-200 pitcher in the 2022 class out of Northeast Mississippi JC thanks to his huge frame and a fastball up to 99 mph, but he instead went to Mississippi State. He struggled in the SEC for two seasons and posted a 9.05 ERA over 57.2 innings (mostly out of the bullpen) and also struggled in the New England Collegiate League this summer. He has power stuff, including a fastball that sits 94 and gets into the upper 90s, a mid-80s slider and a firm upper-90s changeup. Holcombe’s stuff and size, at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, is tantalizing but he needs plenty of refinement as a pitcher. -
School: Northeast Mississippi JC Committed/Drafted: Mississippi State
Age At Draft: 19.6
BA Grade: 45/Extreme
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: | Control: 40
Holcombe has a chance to be the highest drafted player out of Northeast Mississippi JC—and could join Benny Haynie (1967, 38th round) as the only player drafted directly out of the program. Holcombe is a physically imposing, 6-foot-7, 225-pound righthander (his nickname is “Big Donkey”) who has gotten plenty of attention this spring thanks to Noah Syndergaard body comps and a fastball that’s been up to 99 mph and sits in the 93-95 mph range. The pitch has overwhelmed junior college hitters for the most part, but at times he’s allowed hard contact against it which makes some scouts question the overall movement of the pitch. He throws three secondaries: a mid-70s curveball with 12-to-6 shape, a slider around 80 mph that is a recent development but likely his secondary with the most upside and an infrequently used changeup in the low 80s that shows plenty of arm-side life. Holcombe posted a 2.60 ERA over 65.2 innings and 12 starts this spring, with 115 strikeouts (17.8 K/9) and 31 walks (4.2 BB/9). It wouldn’t be surprising to see teams take a shot on his physicality and stuff inside the top five rounds, but he is committed to Mississippi State and could go significantly higher a year from now if he shows similar stuff but improved control in the SEC.