Brock Holt
| AB | 2367 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .262 |
| OBP | .332 |
| SLG | .362 |
| HR | 25 |
- Full name Brock Wyatt Holt
- Born 06/11/1988 in Fort Worth, TX
- Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Rice
- Debut 09/01/2012
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Drafted in the 9th round (265th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009 (signed for $125,000).
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A shortstop at Navarro (Texas) JC, Brock Holt moved to second base after transferring to Rice in deference to Rick Hague, a top 2010 draft prospect. He made a seamless transition to his new position and to batting leadoff for the Owls, hitting for average, controlling the strike zone and offering gap power from the left side of the plate. He's an average runner with the instincts to steal a few bases. A 5-foot-10, 170-pound scrapper, Holt has enough arm and range to tempt a pro team into giving him another shot at shortstop.
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Holt did not receive any Division I scholarship offers as a high school senior in Stephenville, Texas, so he spent two seasons playing shortstop at Navarro (Texas) JC. He got a shot at big-time college baseball at Rice, where he played his way into the ninth round of the 2009 draft. He was hitting .351 in high Class A during his first full pro season when he injured his left knee in a June collision with a teammate, ending his season. After an unremarkable Double-A season in 2011, he broke out last year by ranking sixth in the minors with a .344 batting average and then batting .292 during a September callup. Holt has shown the ability to make consistent contact and get on base throughout his minor league career. He understands he has to play the little man's game and doesn't let his swing get very big. He has little home run power, though he can surprise and occasionally drive a ball in the gaps if a pitcher gets careless. Holt's range and arm are a bit light for him to be a regular shortstop in the major leagues, though he compensates with a quick first step and a fast release on his throws. He's an average runner with fine instincts on the bases. Holt will get a chance to win a reserve job in Pittsburgh, but he'll likely wind up opening the season in Triple-A. -
Holt hit .348 with 12 home runs in 250 at-bats for Rice last spring after spending the first two years of his collegiate career at Navarro (Texas) JC, and the Pirates were pleasantly surprised to find him available in the ninth round. After signing quickly for $125,000, Holt had a fine pro debut, leading State College in hitting (.299), runs (45), homers (six) and steals (nine in as many tries). He has surprising pop for a smaller guy and can hit mistakes out of the park. However, his offensive strength is his ability to make consistent contact and get on base. His instincts allow him to turn his good speed into stolen bases. A shortstop at Navarro, Holt played second base at Rice in deference to potential 2010 first-round pick Rick Hague, then saw most of his time at short in pro ball. Holt is a steady defender with decent range and a solid arm. Pittsburgh could challenge him with an assignment to high Class A if he has a strong spring.
