Bryan Holaday

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #26 prospect in 2014
  At Texas Christian, Holaday helped the Horned Frogs make their first College World Series appearance in 2010, when the Tigers drafted him in the sixth round and signed him for $115,000. After making his major league debut in June 2012 when Alex Avila strained a hamstring, Holaday opened 2013 at Triple-A Toledo but again found himself in the big leagues in June when Avila went on the disabled list. The Tigers sent Holaday back to Toledo after he appeared in four games, then brought him back up in August and used him sporadically as a September callup. Holaday's defense is ahead of his hitting. He's a smart catcher with an average arm who controlled the running game in Triple-A, throwing out 41 percent of basestealers. He's a dependable receiver with the solid hands and footwork. Holaday doesn't have the bat to be an everyday catcher. He has a long, slow swing with an uppercut path and a pull-oriented approach with below-average power. He also needs to tighten his strike-zone discipline. Like most catchers, he's a well-below-average runner. If Holaday could bring a little more to the table at the plate, he could stick around as a backup, a role he's expected to fill behind Avila in the big leagues in 2014.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #24 prospect in 2013
  Holaday made a name for himself at Texas Christian by being one of the few collegians to homer off Stephen Strasburg, and by leading the Horned Frogs to their first-ever College World Series appearance in 2010. Holaday started his pro career in high Class A and hasn't posted an OPS higher than .665 at any of his stops, but he spent most of 2012 in Triple-A and made his big league debut in June when Alex Avila strained a hamstring. Holaday has a thick, sturdy build and solid catch-and-throw skills. He isn't flashy behind the plate, but he gets the job done. His arm is average and he threw out 34 percent of International League basestealers last year. He has decent footwork and handles pitchers well. Holaday's bat will determine his ultimate role. He has strength and average raw power, but his pure hitting ability is well below-average, just like his speed. His upside is similar to that of Gerald Laird, whose free-agent departure from Detroit this offseason could create a big league opening for Holaday.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #20 prospect in 2011
  Though Holaday has more of a reputation as a defensive standout, he finished his amateur career by tying a College World Series with four homers in one tournament. As a junior in 2009, he was one of just four college players to hit a homer off Stephen Strasburg. A sixth-round pick last June, Holaday signed for $115,000 and ran out of gas after reporting directly to high Class A. While his stroke is unorthodox, he consistently puts the barrel on the ball. He does have some strength, but his power is more suited to drive the ball to the gaps rather than over the fence. Like most catchers, he's a below-average runner. Holaday's best tools are his strong arm and his receiving ability, and he's also a hard-nosed leader who calls a good game. He sometimes gets too quick on his throws, costing him accuracy. He threw out just 21 percent of basestealers in his pro debut. Holaday figures to begin 2011 back in Lakeland and could move quickly.