Matt Holliday

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #9 prospect in 2004
  The Rockies signed Holliday for $840,000 out of high school, when he was a premium quarterback prospect. When the Miami and Tennessee football programs tried to lure him in 2001, Colorado gave him a six-year big league contract with a $700,000 guarantee. He finally began to live up to expectations in the second half of 2003, and he played so well in the Arizona Fall League that he was added to the U.S. Olympic qualifying team. Though the numbers don't add up, the Rockies see considerable physical potential. Holliday has legitimate big league power despite never hitting more than 12 homers in a season. A former third baseman, he has worked hard to become a solid left fielder. To unlock his power in games, Holliday needs to get his hands in a cocked position so he's ready to hit more quickly. He's still rebuilding his arm strength after having Tommy John surgery in July 2001. After two years in Double-A, Holliday will move to Triple-A in 2004. If he shows consistent power, he'll be called up.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #16 prospect in 2003
  Twice the Rockies have shown their belief in Holliday's potential. They gave him an $840,000 bonus out of high school to get him to pass up the opportunity to play quarterback at Oklahoma State. When Florida and Tennessee approached him about returning to football in 2001, Colorado signed him to a six-year deal with a minimum guarantee of $700,000. The wait, however, continues for Holliday to transform his power potential into reality. He has hit only 49 home runs in 478 pro games. His power comes through in batting practice, but he needs to keep his swing short and use his hands more. The son of Oklahoma State baseball coach Tom Holliday and the nephew of Rockies scout Dave Holliday, Matt has the strength to hit at least 30 homers a season. He has come a long way in converting from third base to left field, and has built up his arm strength to above-average for left field. He has good basestealing instincts despite ordinary speed. Holliday could return to Double-A Tulsa to open 2003.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #11 prospect in 2002
  One of the nation's top high school quarterbacks in 1998, Holliday got an $840,000 bonus to pass on a football scholarship to Oklahoma State, where his father Tom is the baseball coach. When Florida and Tennessee tried to lure him to college football last summer, Holliday signed a six-year deal that guarantees him a minimum of $700,000. Initially a third baseman, Holliday is moving to the outfield, but his transition has been slowed by foot surgery two winters ago and reconstructive elbow surgery last July. Holliday is a legitimate power source and was emerging as a force when his 2001 season ended. He has good plate coverage and a solid idea of the strike zone. He has the leadership ability of a quarterback, and the athleticism that comes with being a multisport athlete. The consistency hasn't been there. He has spurts when he reinforces the scouting reports that he's going to be an impact hitter, but has yet to sustain those hot streaks. He has accepted the idea of moving to left field but needs time to get comfortable there. Holliday is headed to Double-A. The Rockies need righthanded power and hope he can provide help soon.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #10 prospect in 2001
  Holliday comes from a baseball family. His father Tom is the head coach at Oklahoma State, his uncle Dave scouts for the Rockies and his brother Josh is a first baseman in the Blue Jays system. Matt was one of the nation's top prep quarterbacks when he came out of Stillwater (Okla.) High, but the Rockies gambled a pick on him and signed him for $865,000, the most ever for a seventh-round draft choice. Holliday's bat is the key to his future. His size, bat speed and swing equate to big league power, and he has a good understanding of hitting. He has struggled at third base, committing 32 errors last year, and his future likely will be in left field, where he has the power to be an impact player. He's not a burner, but he does have a feel for the game and it shouldn't take long for him to get comfortable in the outfield. He'll improve at the plate if he develops a little more discipline. It's uncertain where Holliday will begin his transition to the outfield. He's in line for a move to Double-A, though he might be sent back to Salem to have the benefit of a comfortable environment while changing positions. He's at least two years away from Colorado.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #4 prospect in 1999
  Background: Holliday's father Tom is the head baseball coach at Oklahoma State, where his brother Josh plays catcher. A top high school quarterback, Matt Holliday turned down a football scholarship to Oklahoma State to sign with the Rockies. His $842,500 signing bonus is the largest ever given a seventh-round draft choice. Strengths: Holliday's ticket to the big leagues will be his bat. The ball jumps off it and he has legitimate power. Having grown up in an athletic family, he has maturity not normally found in a young player. He has four-tool potential, coming up a bit short in the speed category. Weaknesses: Holliday has to work on his quickness and lateral movement if he wants to become a big league third baseman. If not, first base or possibly left field could be his ticket. Giving up football should allow his body to loosen up, and could lead to the quickness scouts haven't seen. The Future: Like Choo Freeman and Van Buren, Holliday should jump to Asheville this spring.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Carolina League #15 prospect in 2000
  The only question about Holliday's ability to play baseball is whether he's better suited for third base or the outfield. For now he’s an infielder, though some suspect he may wind up patrolling left field once he reaches Coors Field. Regardless of his position, the Rockies know Holliday, the son of Oklahoma State baseball coach Tom Holliday, can hit. He has the build of a home run hitter and also is adept at poking an outside pitch into right field. He makes solid contact and is a good athlete who once ranked among the nation’s top quarterback prospects. "He's probably going to end up in the outfield, but he's going to be a good one," Dayett said. "He's got raw power and he's already shown the ability to hit to the opposite field."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  The only question about Holliday's ability to play baseball is whether he's better suited for third base or the outfield. For now he’s an infielder, though some suspect he may wind up patrolling left field once he reaches Coors Field. Regardless of his position, the Rockies know Holliday, the son of Oklahoma State baseball coach Tom Holliday, can hit. He has the build of a home run hitter and also is adept at poking an outside pitch into right field. He makes solid contact and is a good athlete who once ranked among the nation’s top quarterback prospects. "He's probably going to end up in the outfield, but he's going to be a good one," Dayett said. "He's got raw power and he's already shown the ability to hit to the opposite field."