Grant Holman

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #115 prospect in 2021 draft
  Holman first rose to fame at the 2013 Little League World Series when he pitched a no-hitter, hit a grand slam and hit a game-winning, three-run homer on consecutive days to lead California to the U.S. Championship. He followed with a decorated career at San Diego-area power Eastlake High, where his teammates included 2019 first-round pick Keoni Cavaco and projected 2021 top-five pick Marcelo Mayer, and was a preseason All-American this spring for Cal. Previously a two-way player for the Golden Bears, Holman focused solely on pitching this spring and came out showing improved stuff, although the performance didn’t quite follow. He went 1-3, 3.83 with 46 strikeouts and 22 walks in 47 innings. Holman’s fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 96 with heavy sink out of his massive 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame. He powers his fastball downhill out of his lower three-quarters arm slot to induce lots of ground ball swings and misses over the top. His main secondary is an average split-changeup that gets swings and misses, and his mid-80s vertical slider has started to flash above-average, although its low spin rate concerns analytically-minded teams. Holman’s size and arm strength are appealing, but he has fringy control and his injury history is concerning. He had back issues in high school and missed the first month of this season with biceps tendinitis. The 47 innings he threw this season were the most of his career. Holman’s big frame and health record have many teams projecting him to a relief role. He projects to be taken early on the draft’s second day.
• Ranked #345 prospect in 2018 draft
  Holman was the star of the 2013 Little League World Series as a 6-foot-4 13-year-old. He pitched a no-hitter in his team's opener in Williamsport, Pa., then hit a grand slam the next day and followed with the game-winning, three-run homer in extra innings to lift the West to the U.S. title game, which it won. Holman continued to star in high school, going 29-1 on the mound in his career and winning San Diego County's player of the year award as a junior. Now 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, Holman is a bit of a project despite his maxed-out frame. He usually sits 89-91 mph and touches 94 at his best, but at other times he sits 86-87 and barely touches 90 mph. His 78-80 mph changeup flashes above-average but isn't consistent and his mid-70s curveball needs a lot of work. A few teams like Holman better as a hitter, seeing plus raw power and excellent timing, although his bat speed is average and he is limited to first base. Scouts fear Holman doesn't have much projection left, but his long run of success has them interested. He is strongly committed to California and will require a sizable bonus to sign.