Tyler Holton

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #247 prospect in 2018 draft
  If Holton were righthanded, there's a chance he isn't on this list at all. Holton throws a well below-average fastball that sits in the mid-80s and tops out at 89 mph, and he has thrown just 4.2 innings this spring after tearing his UCL in February. Because he's left-handed, however, teams will more easily overlook his lack of pure stuff. If healthy, he would have ranked among the top 200 prospects in the draft class because of an impressive resume in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Holton was named first team all-ACC in 2017 and was a second team All-American after posting a 2.34 ERA in 119 innings with 144 strikeouts and 33 walks. Holton was also the best starter for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team in the summer of 2017, when he posted a 0.69 ERA over in 13 innings with 14 strikeouts and just two walks. Without an average fastball, Holton excels because of his ability to effectively spot pitches in and out of the zone. He also has a plus changeup and a curveball that was showing improvement over the summer. His changeup is his only plus offering, but each of his pitches will play down at the next level because no professional hitter will be challenged by his fastball. There is a professional precedent in Brewers lefthander Brent Suter--who averages 86 mph with his fastball--and Holton has been compared to him at times. Suter is three inches taller, however, and there are more medical questions with Holton as well.
• Ranked #180 prospect in 2017 draft
  A Tallahassee native, Holton grew up dreaming of playing for the Seminoles and has become one of the team's top players the last two seasons. An all-freshman choice in 2016, he's focused primarily on pitching while batting .262 with four homers in 61 at-bats as a part-time outfielder. He's a baseball athlete with present strength at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, and he's eligible as a sophomore as he'll turn 21 on the second day of the draft. Holton's pitchability made him a first-team all-ACC choice this season, as he throws plenty of strikes with a deceptive 86-90 mph fastball. That helps set up a solid if unspectacular slider and above-average changeup. His feel for using his stuff helped him strike out out 11.1 per nine innings this season and for his two-year career. He's expected to be a tough sign due to his Florida State passion.
• Ranked #498 prospect in 2015 draft
  Holton is one of the better two-way talents in Florida, showing some lefthanded power when he plays the outfield and good strike-throwing ability when he's on the mound. While he'll get the chance to play both positions at Florida State next year, he has more professional potential as a pitcher. He has advanced pitchability and fills up the strike zone. He throws his fastball 86-88 mph, occasionally reaching 90 mph. His curveball has at least average potential and he shows some feel for his changeup. Though there's some effort to his delivery, he repeats it well and can locate his fastball to both sides of the plate. He turns 19 the week after the draft and would be a draft-eligible sophomore in 2017 if he does make it to school.

• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  If Holton were righthanded, there's a chance he isn't on this list at all. Holton throws a well below-average fastball that sits in the mid-80s and tops out at 89 mph, and he has thrown just 4.2 innings this spring after tearing his UCL in February. Because he's left-handed, however, teams will more easily overlook his lack of pure stuff. If healthy, he would have ranked among the top 200 prospects in the draft class because of an impressive resume in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Holton was named first team all-ACC in 2017 and was a second team All-American after posting a 2.34 ERA in 119 innings with 144 strikeouts and 33 walks. Holton was also the best starter for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team in the summer of 2017, when he posted a 0.69 ERA over in 13 innings with 14 strikeouts and just two walks. Without an average fastball, Holton excels because of his ability to effectively spot pitches in and out of the zone. He also has a plus changeup and a curveball that was showing improvement over the summer. His changeup is his only plus offering, but each of his pitches will play down at the next level because no professional hitter will be challenged by his fastball. There is a professional precedent in Brewers lefthander Brent Suter--who averages 86 mph with his fastball--and Holton has been compared to him at times. Suter is three inches taller, however, and there are more medical questions with Holton as well.