Prospect Update: - SP Brad Holt

In February 2009, MYOB write:

Brad Holt RHP - Brad signed for a little over $1 million and is a supplemental first rounder for the Braves signing Tom Glavine. He throws in the mid-90s and has good command of his fastball. Brad led the NY Penn league in ERA at 1.87 in 14 starts, striking out 96 hitters in just over 72 innings pitched. He only gave up 43 hits, translating to an opponent average of .171. All this success without a secondary pitch. If he is going to have success as he advances Brad will need to find a second and third offering, otherwise he can replace K-Rod as the closer. He’s working on a slider and change.

In February 2009, Toby Hyde wrote:

Holt has both the highest ceiling, and the best downside projection among Mets pitching prospects. He has the best fastball in the system with a great pitcher’s build and clean, easy mechanics. In college, he moved from the third-base side of the rubber to the first, which allowed him to land more online to homeplate, rather than closed and snap his hips through the pitch more effectively. The result of the change by 2008, was a legitimate mid-90s fastball that he threw 93-95 mph that exploded on hitters out of Holt’s hand. Moreover, the plus, or perhaps plus-plus heater played up thanks to fine command. A detractor might complain about Holt that he has only one plus pitch. That detractor’s criticism would be entirely justified. On the other hand, Holt has made terrific progress with his breaking ball, tightening up a slurvy offering from college into a tight, hard curveball, that at times, flashes plus potential. A scout who had seen him as an amateur, and then repeatedly in the New York Penn League, was left shaking his head, noting that every time he saw Holt as a professional, he made strides with his breaking ball. Holt rarely threw his below average changeup in the NYP League. He did not need it against less advanced hitters, although he has expressed a desire to improve the pitch. Holt’s progress with his breaking stuff will dictate whether he becomes a frontline starter. Even if he struggles with his changeup, his fastball will take him to some kind of big league bullpen role, where he could excel. 2008: Holt had a monster debut in Brooklyn, easily outshining the two gentlemen, Ike Davis and Reese Havens, the Mets picked ahead of him in the 2008 draft. Holt led the circuit in ERA and strikeouts while landing second in WHIP (1.05) behind teammate Chris Schwinden. Holt reached double figures in strikeouts four times, including a 14 punch-out performance on July 24th, that tied a Cyclones single-game record. Holt worked deep into games, throwing five innings or more in five of his last six contests. Projected 2009 Start: St. Lucie rotation